'Harry Potter's' Rupert Grint Remembers 'Giant-Hearted' Robbie Coltrane: 'Sending Love to His Family'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Yui Mok - PA Images/PA Images via Getty

Rupert Grintwill forever associateHarry PottercostarRobbie Coltranewith “the smell of cigars and beard glue” after news ofthe Hagrid star’s death at age 72.

The actor, 34, who played Ron Weasley, is the latest star in the franchise to pay tribute to Coltrane, sharing a photo of his late costar playing the flute while in character as Hagrid, along with some words memorializing him.

“Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone,” he wrote in the Saturday caption. “I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue- a wonderful combination. No one else on this planet could [have] played Hagrid, only Robbie.”

Coltrane’s agent and friend Belinda Wrightconfirmed his deathto PEOPLE on Friday, remembering him as “a unique talent” and his performance as Hagrid bringing “joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.”

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Although the actor’s cause of death was not immediately made available, Deadline reported that Coltrane “had been in ill health for the past two years,” and died in a hospital near his Larbert, Scotland home.

Other stars from theHarry Potterfranchisehave paid tribute to Coltranesince his death, includingBonnie Wright(who played Ron’s sister Ginny Weasley),James and Oliver Phelps(twins Fred and George Weasley),Matthew Lewis(Neville Longbottom) andDavid Thewlis(Remus Lupin), as well as the books' controversial authorJ.K. Rowling.

Emma Watson, who played Ron’s friend and love interest Hermione Granger, said Coltrane was “deeply caring, and compassionate towards me” in her tribute, adding that “there was no better Hagrid.”

From left: Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane and Tom Felton in 2002.Dave Benett/Getty

“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,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant — he could fill ANY space with his brilliance.”

RELATED VIDEO: Celebrating Robbie Coltrane’s Beloved Character Hagrid: “I’ll Not Be Here Sadly, but Hagrid Will”

“I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on (2004’sHarry Potter and the)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,” Radcliffe added. “He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”

source: people.com