Hagrid ‘Harry Potter’ movies, ‘Cracker’ actor dies – The Hollywood Reporter

Ruby ColtraneVeteran comedian and actor best known for his star turn into a British crime series cracking and the Harry Potter movie franchise, died friday, The Hollywood Reporter Learn. He was 72 years old.

Coltrane’s agent, Belinda Wright, called him a “unique talent,” who she will remember as an “always loyal customer.”

“In addition to being a wonderful actor, he was forensically savvy and brilliantly intelligent, and after 40 years of being proud to call his agent, I will miss him,” Wright added of Coltrane in a statement.

The boisterous and eccentric Scotsman, who started his career in comedy and theater, has also commanded the screen in two James Bond films during his illustrious career on both sides of the Atlantic.

Coltrane Anthony Robert Macmillan was born on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland, to the son of a doctor and teacher. After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art, he continued his studies in art at Murray House College of Education in Edinburgh.

But with his attempts to become an artist unsuccessful, Coltrane started stand-up comedy in Edinburgh clubs. He changed his last name in honor of jazz legend John Coltrane when he switched to acting in London.

Coltrane’s early television credits include Flash Gordon, Blackadder And the Keep it in the family. His other comedy credits have included series such as ’80s kick, comic strip And the fresco It has become a mainstay on British television.

Coltrane’s breakout role was playing Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, an antisocial criminal psychologist with a knack for solving crimes, in Jimmy McGovern. cracking The series, which lasted more than 25 episodes between 1993 and 2006.

Coltrane won three consecutive BAFTA Awards for Best TV Actor for this role, share a record For most consecutive wins.

This performance led to Coltrane taking roles in two James Bond Films, in which he plays Valentin Zhukovsky golden eye And the The world is not enough. But most people know Coltrane by his other great supporting role: Rubius Hagrid, a giant groundskeeper at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in Harry Potter Movies, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001.

Coltrane wrote his autobiography, Coltrane in CadillacHe also starred in the TV series of the same name in 1993, driving across America from Los Angeles to New York City in a classic 1951 Cadillac.

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

Wright said the family “would like to thank the medical staff at the Royal Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert, Scotland for their care and diplomacy”.

11:37 AM Updated with a statement from a Coltrane dealer.