‘There Was No Better Hagrid’: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and ‘Harry Potter’ Cast Pay Emotional Tribute to Late Robbie Coltrane

The Wizarding World has lost its heart.

Following the news that legendary Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane has died at the age of , the Harry Potter cast is taking to social media to honor the man who spent a decade playing the beloved half-giant, Rubeus Hagrid.

From sharing stories of rainy days in the Forbidden Forest to “hiccup-inducing” laughter on set, the tributes pouring in from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and the rest of the Hogwarts alumni prove that Coltrane was just as magical off-screen as he was on.

Daniel Radcliffe led the tributes, remembering Coltrane as “one of the funniest people” he has ever encountered. The actor, who starred alongside Coltrane in all eight films, recalled how the veteran actor kept a young cast’s spirits high during difficult shoots.

“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 shared in a statement. “He was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him.”

Emma Watson took to her Instagram Story to share a deeply personal farewell, posting a photo of the two together.

“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. She noted that his “immense” talent made it only fitting that he played a giant, adding, “He could fill ANY space with his brilliance.”

Watson concluded her post with a heartbreaking promise: “Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.”

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, shared a nostalgic nod to Coltrane’s iconic transformation into the Hogwarts gamekeeper.

“I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue—a wonderful combination,” Grint posted on Instagram. “Just as Hagrid was in the books and films, Robbie was in life—warm, compassionate and hilarious. A giant-hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later.”

Even the “Slytherins” were feeling the loss. Tom Felton, known for his role as Draco Malfoy, looked back on a night shoot in the Forbidden Forest when he was just years old.

“Robbie cared & looked after everyone around him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly,” Felton shared, echoing the sentiment that Coltrane was the glue that held the young cast together during their formative years.

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her heartbreak, noting that Hagrid was her favorite character. “Robbie portrayed Hagrid’s warmth, sense of home & unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly,” she wrote.

Beyond the students, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling shared a photo of herself holding hands with Coltrane, calling him a “complete one-off.”

“I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again,” Rowling tweeted. “He was an incredible talent… and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him.”

Coltrane’s legacy extends far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts. Known for his powerhouse performances in the British crime series Cracker and his roles in the James Bond franchise, he was a titan of the screen for decades.

Longtime friend and fellow actor Stephen Fry recalled being “awe/terror/love struck” when he first met Coltrane years ago. “Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking,” Fry shared.

While the world remembers him as a brilliant actor, his Potter family will remember him as the man who turned a movie set into a home. As Watson put it so perfectly: “You made us a family.”

Rest in peace, Robbie. To the Wizarding World, you’ll always be the one holding the lantern, leading the way.

Would you like me to draft a follow-up piece highlighting Robbie Coltrane’s most iconic career performances beyond Harry Potter?