'Harry Potter' stars' emotional tribute to the late 'giant-hearted' actor Robbie Coltrane

The stars of Harry Potter have paid tribute to "giant-hearted" Robbie Coltrane.

The veteran actor passed away on Friday, October 14 at the age of 72 and his Harry Potter co-star has compared the screen legend to his wizarding alter ego, gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, in a heartfelt message.

Rupert Grint - who played Ron Weasley - posted: "I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue - a wonderful combination. No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie.

"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. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser."

Emma Watson - who played Hermione Grainger - remembered Robbie as a "fun uncle" and promised to conduct herself at work in the way she had learned from him.

She shared a photo of herself, Robbie, and Daniel Radcliffe, and wrote: "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. His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant.

"He could fill ANY space with his brilliance. 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, know how much I adore and admire you.

"I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione."

Daniel - who played Harry Potter - previously remembered Robbie as one of the "funniest people" he'd ever met.

He said in a statement: “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.”

Robbie Coltrane grew so fond of the young Harry Potter cast working with them made him feel like he was watching his own kids grow up.

The acting icon, passed away last week after being left wheelchair-bound by knee pain after an osteoarthritis battle, said in his last known film appearance he became highly protective of the
franchise’s child stars, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

He said about working with the youngsters during an interview for HBO’s TV special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts – his last known film, released on New Year’s Day: "You’ve got to remember, when they first started they were about eight. I think the oldest of them was 11.

"Now they’re big grown-ups with their own lives. Grint’s had a baby – Grint’s now a father! It’s just astonishing, the change.

"Watching them growing up was kind of like watching your own grow up, you know. Because you were protecting them.

"I was always astonished at how fearless they were. I remember walking into The Great Hall, and I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and Im thought, 'Dear Lord! Woah, better get this one right’.

"I do have enormous happy memories of this actually."

He also insisted the adult actors were on their best behaviour without any “fighting or swearing” on set as “everyone just thought, ‘Kids’.”

Robbie, who played Hogwarts’ gentle giant gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in all eight Potter films, which launched in 2001 and grossed nearly £10 billion at the box office, was also lauded for playing psychologist Fitz in 1990s TV detective drama Cracker, He was also globally famous for his turn as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in James Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.

Robbie shared son Spencer and daughter Alice with sculptor Rhona Gemmell, who he married in 1999 but divorced from four years later.

- Bang! Showbiz