“Harry Potter” stars are raising their wands to honor their beloved co-star Robbie Coltrane.
Coltrane — famous for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the original film series — died Friday at the age of 72.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter, told The Post in a statement.
“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,” he recalled.
Radcliffe and his famous co-stars Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton starred in the world-famous series alongside Coltrane throughout their childhood.
“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,” Radcliffe said.
Watson wrote a heartfelt note to Coltrane in an Instagram Story, where she also shared a photo of the two actors engaged in conversation.
“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 started “His talent was so immense that it made sense he played a giant — he could fill any space with his brilliance.
“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,” she continued.”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,” Watson ended her statement.
James Phelps, who played the rambunctious prankster Fred Weasley, also expressed gratitude for his older co-star.
“I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun. And I’ll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said ‘Enjoy it, you’ll be great’. Thank you for that,” he tweeted.
Oliver Phelps, James’ twin in the films and real life, shared a similar memory.
“November 2001 – Leicester Square, London. ‘Soak this in lads, its like a Rolls-Royce for your first car’! Robbie Coleraine when he was next to me on the red carpet of the first HP premiere. Over the years we had some great chats about history and travel. Rest in peace Robbie,” he remembered.
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom throughout the films, reflected on how close they grew over the years thanks to their mutual passions.
“Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn’t give a f–k and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x,” he tweeted.
“Harry Potter” author J.K Rowling tweeted a photo of herself and Coltrane at dinner.
“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,” she wrote. “I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children.”
The official Wizarding World also mourned the loss of the lovable giant. “We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the magnificent Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid with such kindness, heart and humour in the Harry Potter films,” the account tweeted.
“He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed.”
Actor Stephen Fry, who voiced the “Harry Potter” video games, sweetly remembered the first time he met Coltrane while working on their TV sketch comedy “Alfresco.”
“I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago. I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time. Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, ‘Alfresco.’ Farewell, old fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed,” the English actor tweeted.
Another friend and fellow actor Hugh Laurie took to Twitter to share how funny and inspiring Coltrane could be.
“I hope it’s OK to spout memories: I used to ride with Robbie Coltrane between Manchester and London in his sort-of-restored MGA. I’d roll him cigarettes while he discoursed on the ways of the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life,” he wrote.
Coltrane was even honored by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted: “Very sad news. He had such range and depth as an actor, from brilliant comedy to hard-edged drama. I think my favourite of all his roles was Fitz in Cracker. Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend – you will be hugely missed. RIP.”
“We’re devastated to hear of the death of Robbie Coltrane, an actor of outstanding talents who won two BAFTA Scotland Awards for achievement in film and three consecutive BAFTAs for his performances in Cracker. Our thoughts are with his family,” the official BAFTA account tweeted.
Beyond the magical wizarding world, Coltrane also starred as a Russian gangster in the James Bond series.
“Robbie Coltrane’s passing is a tragic loss to the world. He was an exceptional actor whose talent knew no bounds. He was beloved to Bond audiences as Valentin Zukovsky in GOLDENEYE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH as well as to millions who saw him in his multitude of roles,” the official James Bond account wrote on Twitter.
Earlier this year, HBO Max celebrated “Harry Potter” with a reunion special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.” On the emotional show, Coltrane reminisced about his time filming the series, calling his last day on set “the end of an era.” He also spoke on the movies’ magical legacy.
“The legacy of the movies is that my children will show them to their children so you could be watching in 50 years times easy I’ll not be here sadly but Hagrid will,” he said.
Coltrane was appointed an OBE — Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for his services to drama.
Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, Scotland, in 1950, he adopted the stage name Coltrane in his early 20s in honor of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.
Coltrane’s agent confirmed he died at a hospital in Scotland, but did not share the cause of his death.
He is survived by his sister, Annie Rae; his children Spencer, 30, and Alice, 24; and their mother Rhona Gemmell.
In the words of Harry himself, “There’s no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid.”
