Last picture of Robbie Coltrane sees him chatting with Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson months before death aged 72
BELOVED British actor Robbie Coltrane was seen chatting with his Harry Potter co-star in the last picture of him before his death at 72.
The national treasure, best known for playing gentle giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series, died in hospital in Scotland, his agent said on Friday.
Coltrane was last pictured during filming for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts - released in January this year two decades after the release of the franchise's first film.
He was seen deep in conversation with Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the iconic film series.
During the HBO reunion show, the actor opened up about the legacy of Hagrid.
In the emotional interview, Coltrane said: "It's the end of an era. Ten years of my life. My children have grown up during it."
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Tearful Coltrane tried to manage a smile as he added: "The legacy of the movies is that my children's generation will show them to their children.
"So, you could be watching it in 50 years' time, easily... I'll not be here, sadly... but Hagrid will, yes."
Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright confirmed his death on Friday and paid tribute to the "forensically intelligent" and "brilliantly witty" actor.
She thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk in Scotland, for their "care and diplomacy".
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She said: "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.
"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."
Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mum Rhona Gemmell.
The actor gained worldwide recognition as Hagrid in all eight Harry Potter films and as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in the James Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
He rose to fame as a hard-bitten detective in the 1990s series Cracker, for which he won best actor at the British Academy Television Awards three years running.
Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year's honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.
Tributes have poured in for the legend, with Stephen Fry hailing the actor's "depth, power and talent".
He said: "I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago.
"I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time.
"Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, Alfresco.
"Farewell, old fellow. You’ll be so dreadfully missed."
I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he's passed
Daniel Radcliffe
JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, paid tribute to the "incredible" actor.
"I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again," Rowling said.
"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."
Daniel Radcliffe remembered his Harry Potter co-star as "one of the funniest people" and an "incredible actor".
The actor, who starred in the lead role in the series, said: "Robbie was one of the funniest people I've met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set.
"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 and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up.
"I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he's passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man."
James Phelps, who starred alongside Coltrane as Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films, recalled his first memory of the actor as he paid tribute.
"I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun," he said.
"And I'll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st ever day on a movie set and said 'Enjoy it, you'll be great'. Thank you for that."
The official Twitter account for the Harry Potter films said the team was "hugely saddened" by the death of the "magnificent" Coltrane.
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"We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the magnificent Robbie Coltrane who played Hagrid with such kindness, heart and humour in the Harry Potter films," the message said.
"He was a wonderful actor, a friend to all and he will be deeply missed."