He was massive. Not just in physical stature—though his six-foot-one frame and broad shoulders certainly filled a doorway—but in spirit, talent, and sheer, unfiltered Scottish wit. When Robbie Coltrane passed away in October 2022, it didn't just feel like we lost a famous actor. It felt like a pillar of British culture had been knocked over. Most kids today know him as the bumbling, heart-of-gold Rubeus Hagrid from the Harry Potter films. But if you only know him for the beard and the pink umbrella, you’re missing about 70% of what made him a legendary performer. He was a complicated man. He was a vintage car enthusiast with grease under his fingernails. He was a terrifyingly sharp comedian. Honestly, he was a "national treasure," even if he probably would have made a crude joke about that specific title.
Anthony Robert McMillan didn't start out as a Coltrane. He took the name as a tribute to the jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, a nod to his deep love for the arts that started during his days at the Glasgow School of Art. He wasn't some polished stage school kid. He was a rebel. He was a guy who once famously said he wanted to be an artist but realized people weren't going to pay him to paint. So, he turned to the stage and the screen, and thank God he did.
The Cracker Years and the Weight of Fitz
Before the wizarding world came calling, Robbie Coltrane redefined what a TV detective could be. If you haven't seen Cracker, stop reading this and go find it. His portrayal of Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the mid-90s was a masterclass in acting. Fitz was a mess. He was a heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, gambling addict who happened to be a genius criminal psychologist. Coltrane didn't play him for sympathy. He played him with a raw, abrasive honesty that won him three consecutive BAFTA Best Actor awards.
It’s hard to overstate how much Cracker changed the landscape of British television. It was dark. It was uncomfortable. Coltrane’s performance showed that a lead character could be deeply unlikeable and yet utterly magnetic. You couldn't look away. Jimmy McGovern, the show's creator, once noted that Coltrane brought a vulnerability to the role that wasn't even on the page. He was a big man who could make himself look incredibly small and broken when the scene called for it.
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Why He Was the Only Choice for Hagrid
J.K. Rowling was notoriously picky about the casting of the Harry Potter films. She insisted on an all-British cast, but when it came to Hagrid, she reportedly had only one name on her list: Robbie Coltrane. It wasn't just about his size. You can use CGI or camera tricks to make someone look like a half-giant, but you can't fake the warmth. You can't fake that specific "twinkle" in the eye.
Coltrane understood Hagrid better than anyone. He saw the character not just as comic relief, but as the emotional heartbeat of the story. He was the first person Harry meets from the wizarding world who shows him genuine, unconditional love. During the filming of the final movies, Coltrane was famously filmed saying, "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, easy. I'll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes." It’s a quote that still makes fans tear up. He knew he was building something that would outlast him.
Beyond the Screen: The Man Who Loved Engines
If you ever met Robbie in a pub in Scotland, he’d much rather talk about the inner workings of a 1951 XK120 Jaguar than his latest film role. He was a massive "petrolhead." He actually hosted a documentary series called Coltrane’s Planes and Automobiles back in 1997. He loved the mechanical. He loved the smell of oil. There was something very grounded about him; he lived in a converted barn in the hills of Stirlingshire, far away from the glitz of London or Hollywood.
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He struggled, too. That’s the thing about real icons—they aren't perfect. In his later years, Coltrane suffered from severe osteoarthritis. He was in constant pain. By 2019, he was using a wheelchair, telling reporters his knee was "completely gone." Yet, he still showed up. He did the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special despite being visibly frail. That’s professional. That’s grit.
The Comedic Edge You Forgot About
We have to talk about The Comic Strip Presents... and Alfresco. In the 80s, Coltrane was part of the "Alternative Comedy" revolution alongside people like Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, and Hugh Laurie. He was incredibly fast. His improv skills were legendary. He could play a sleazy American producer one minute and a bewildered Scottish grandmother the next.
His range was frankly ridiculous. He was a Bond villain (sort of) as Valentin Zukovsky in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. He brought a level of gravitas to a franchise that, at the time, was still finding its footing in the post-Cold War era. He could do the heavy lifting in a drama and then turn around and voice a character in The Gruffalo without breaking a sweat.
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The Legacy of a True Original
What most people get wrong about Robbie Coltrane is thinking he was just a "character actor." He wasn't. He was a leading man who happened to have a unique physique. He broke the mold of what a star looked like. He was proof that you could be a big, boisterous Scotsman and still be the most sensitive person in the room.
He didn't suffer fools. He was known for being a bit prickly with the press if they asked stupid questions, but he was fiercely loyal to his friends and family. When he passed away at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, the outpouring of grief wasn't just from "Potterheads." It was from the entire acting community.
Practical Steps to Appreciate Coltrane’s Work Today:
- Watch "Cracker" (1993-1996): It’s available on various streaming platforms like BritBox. If you want to see the peak of his acting powers, this is it. Watch the episode "To Be a Somebody" with Robert Carlyle—it’s arguably the best hour of television ever made.
- Revisit "National Treasure" (2016): This four-part miniseries saw him playing an aging comedian accused of sexual abuse. It is haunting, nuanced, and shows he never lost his edge, even in his 60s.
- Read "Coltrane in a Cadillac": He wrote a book (and did a series) about driving across America. It captures his voice perfectly—grumpy, curious, and deeply funny.
- Look for the small roles: Check out his performance in Mona Lisa or Henry V. Even with ten minutes of screen time, he owns the frame.
Robbie Coltrane wasn't just a guy in a movie. He was a massive part of the cultural fabric of the UK for forty years. He reminded us that being "big" isn't about your belt size; it's about the space you leave behind when you're gone. And that space? It's huge.