CNN
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Stars from the ‘Harry Potter’ universe are paying tribute to Hogwarts resident gentle half-giant Robbie Coltrane, who died on Friday.
In a statement provided to CNN by a representative, Daniel Radcliffe called Coltrane, 72 – who played Hagrid in the ‘Harry Potter’ film franchise – “one of the funniest people I’ve met” and recalled how the actor “used to keep us constantly laughing like kids on set.
“I have especially fond memories of him keeping my spirits up on ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’, when we would all hide from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he would tell stories and crack jokes for keep your spirits up,” Radcliffe said. , referring to the third film. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to meet and work with him and very sad that he passed away. He was an amazing actor and a lovely man.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the franchise, also paid tribute to her late co-star on Friday in an Instagram Story.
“Robbie was the funniest uncle I’ve ever had,” she wrote alongside a photo of the couple. “His talent was so immense that it only made sense for him to play a giant – he could fill ANY space with his genius,” she later added. “Robbie, if I ever get to be as nice as you were to me on a film set, I promise I’ll do it in your name and in your memory,” Watson continued, explaining how Coltrane “has makes us a family”.
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, also posted on Instagram in honor of Coltrane, writing on Friday: “One of my fondest memories from filming Harry Potter was a nighttime shoot from the first movie in the forbidden forest. I was 12. Robbie cared about everyone around him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly. He was a big friendly giant on screen but even more so in real life.
Coltrane also shared fond memories of working with the film’s young stars in a recent HBO Max special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.” (CNN and HBO are both part of Warner Bros. Discovery.)
“Watching them grow up was kind of like watching your own kids grow up, you know? Because you kind of protected them,” he said. “I was always amazed at how much they were fearless.”
‘Harry Potter’ author JK Rowling wrote about Twitter“I’ll never know someone like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete, and I had more chance to know him, to work with him and to laugh with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, especially his children.
And Warwick Davis, who played Professor Filius Flitwick and the Goblin Griphook in the movies, reminded Coltrane as someone who was “always jovial” and “bringing warmth, light and laughter to every setting he walked on”.