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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jonathan Geddes

Tributes pour in for Lanarkshire acting legend Robbie Coltrane after Harry Potter star passes away

Scores of tributes have been paid to Lanarkshire acting legend Robbie Coltrane after he passed away aged 72.

The star was known to millions of people for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series, while he also starred in classic TV shows Cracker and Tutti Frutti.

Coltrane, real name Anthony Robert McMillan was brought up in Rutherglen, where he was a keen sailor as a youngster in the Rutherglen Sea Scouts.

His father Ian was well-known in the area as a general surgeon who also worked for police pathology while his mother Jean was a teacher and a pianist.

Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright announced the sad news.

She said: ""My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday October 14. Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records' Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV's series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.

ROBBIE COLTRANE as Rubeus Hagrid (© Zuma Press / eyevine)

"He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.

"James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.

"For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him."

In 2006 Coltrane was awarded n OBE in the New Year honours list.

Daniel Radcliffe, who starred in eight blockbuster films with Coltrane, said: ""Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set."

Harry Potter author JK Rowling said: "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."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon 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."

JK Rowling has led tributes on Twitter. (Twitter/JK Rowling)

In 2010 the actor revealed his love of restoring classic cars had been developed as a child growing up in the Royal Burgh.

He stated: "It started with my father. He wasn't a great car man but he loved the Clyde and watching the paddle-steamers. Dad had patients everywhere, so he always knew someone who worked on the river.

"In the 1950s you could sit down and look at the engines. You could see exactly what was working. I loved it.

"I was so lucky to see the tail end of the River Clyde when you couldn't move for ships and steam locomotives. For any boy with an interest, it was like being brought up in paradise.

"You could go to the docks and watch people load locomotives on boats off to Africa, China and all around the world. "

He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell.

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