Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane today, remembering the beloved actor as “one of the funniest people I’ve met.”
Also honoring the late actor today are Potter cast members Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasley, and Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy.
“Robbie was like the most fun uncle I’ve ever had, but most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult,” Watson writes in an Instagram Story. “His talent was so immense that it made sense he played a giant — he could fill ANY space with his brilliance.”
Watson continues, “Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I adore and admire you. I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.”
Tweeted Wright, “Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid was my favorite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly. Thank you for the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family.”
Felton wrote of Coltrane, “One of my fondest memories of filming Harry Potter was a night shoot on the first film in the forbidden forest. I was 12. Robbie cared & looked after everyone around of him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly.”
In a statement obtained by Deadline, Radcliffe said of the actor who died today at 72: “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set. I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban, when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”
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Radcliffe and Coltrane appeared together in all eight installments of the Potter film franchise from 2001 to 2011.
Coltrane, who also starred in Cracker and the James Bond franchise, died today at 72 following a long illness. In the Potter series, he played Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
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Potter’s lead sorceress, J.K. Rowling, also posted a remembrance, writing on Twitter, “I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.”
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