He Could Fill Any Space With His Brilliance: Emma Watson Pays Tribute To Robbie Coltrane

Actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, passed away on October 14 at the age of 72. Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in his native Scotland. She called him “forensically intelligent” and “brilliantly witty” in just one of many tributes made to him.

Fans all around the world are mourning the beloved actor, including his Harry Potter co-stars. Emma Watson, who played the role of Hermione Granger in the franchise, took to her Instagram stories and shared a tribute for the actor.

Watson reflected on her time with Coltrane, crediting him with making it "a joy to play Hermoine."

"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 wrote. "His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant — he could fill ANY space with his brilliance."

Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, shared a tribute on his website to the late Coltrane, calling him "an incredible actor and a lovely man" who used to make everyone laugh on set.

In his statement, Radcliffe also recalled a specific time on set when Coltrane worked his humour to keep the child actors entertained during bad weather.

"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," Radcliffe recounted. "He was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up."

Bonnie Wright, who played the youngest Weasley sibling, Ginny, noted Coltrane's kindness.

"Robbie portrayed Hagrid's warmth, sense of home and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly," Wright wrote in an Instagram post. "Robbie always treated me and my fellow cast mates when we were wee kids like equal professionals on a film set. A type of attitude that instilled confidence and a sense of togetherness."

Coltrane had a notable screen career, with credits including Mona Lisa, Nuns on the Run and Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Henry V. He also played a Russian crime boss in the James Bond thrillers GoldenEye and The World is Not Enough and Pip’s guardian Mr Jaggers in a 2012 adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectations.

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