FILE - Robbie Coltrane arrives in Trafalgar Square, central London, for the world premiere of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the last film in the series on July 7, 2011. Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on TV series 'Cracker' and Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in Scotland. He was 72. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, File)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Robbie Coltrane, the baby-faced comedian and character actor whose hundreds of roles included a crime-solving psychologist on the TV series 'œCracker'ť and the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the 'œHarry Potter'ť movies, has died. He was 72.
Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in his native Scotland, and did not immediately offer other details. She called him "forensically intelligent" and 'œbrilliantly witty'ť in just one of many tributes made to him.
'œHarry Potter'ť author J.K. Rowling, who decades ago had said Coltrane was her first choice to play Hagrid, tweeted Friday that he was 'œan incredible talent, a complete one off.'ť
'œI was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him,'ť she wrote.
Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, Scotland, Coltrane was in his early 20s when he began pursuing an acting career and renamed himself in honor of jazz musician John Coltrane.
He already had a notable screen career, with credits including 'œMona Lisa,'ť 'œNuns on the Run'ť and Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of 'œHenry V'ť when he broke through on his own as a hard-bitten detective in 'œCracker,'ť the 1990s TV series for which he won best actor at the British Academy Television Awards three years running.
He went on to appear in all eight 'œHarry Potter'ť movie as the young wizard's mentor and had a wide variety of other parts, including a Russian crime boss in the James Bond thrillers 'œGoldenEye'ť and 'œThe World is Not Enough" and Pip's guardian Mr. Jaggers in a 2012 adaptation of Dickens' 'œGreat Expectations.'ť More recently, he received rave reviews for playing a beloved TV star who may harbor a dark secret in the 2016 miniseries 'œNational Treasure.'ť
On Friday, his 'œNuns on the Run'ť co-star Eric Idle tweeted that he had been talking about Coltrane, 'œwondering where he was,'ť when he learned of his death.
'œSuch a bright and brilliant man. A consummate actor, an extraordinarily funny comedian and an amazing actor. He was also a very good friend,'ť Idle wrote.
Wright said Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his ex-wife Rhona Gemmell and his children Spencer and Alice.
FILE - Daniel Radcliffe, left, who plays Harry Potter in the new movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid in the film, arrive for the film's New York premiere on Nov. 11, 2001. Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on TV series 'Cracker' and Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in Scotland. He was 72. (AP Photo/Darla Khazei, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Actor Robbie Coltrane attends the "Dressed To Kilt" fashion show to benefit the Friends of Scotland Organization on April 5, 2011 in New York. Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on TV series 'Cracker' and Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in Scotland. He was 72. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Robbie Coltrane arrives in Trafalgar Square, central London, for the world premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the last film in the series, July 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - British actor Robbie Coltrane arrives in Trafalgar Square, in central London, for the World Premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Thursday, July 7, 2011. Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on TV series 'Cracker' and the giant Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. He was 72. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday Oct. 14, 2022, at a hospital in Scotland. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Robbie Coltrane walks the red carpet during the New York premiere of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" Sunday, May 23, 2004. Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on TV series 'Cracker' and the giant Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, has died. He was 72. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday Oct. 14, 2022, at a hospital in Scotland. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff, File)
The Associated Press