“Harry Potter” star Robbie Coltrane’s cause of death was revealed this weekend. According to reports, the actor died of multiple organ failure.
Coltrane died on Oct. 14, at age 72. Now, roughly a week after his passing, medical reports revealed that Coltrane experienced sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection and heart block, which led to his organs failing. Prior to his death, the actor had also been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
In the hours following his death, tributes to Coltrane poured in from everywhere — including from his fellow “Harry Potter” stars. Coltrane played Rubeus Hagrid in all eight of the films based on J.K. Rowling’s books.
“Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set,” Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe wrote in a statement. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Rupert Grint and Emma Watson also posted in tribute to Coltrane, remembering the Scottish actor as “warm, compassionate and hilarious,” a “giant hearted man” and “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 on Instagram. “His talent was so immense that 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,” she added. “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.”
Coltrane’s death hit “Harry Potter” fans particularly hard, especially considering how in 2021, Coltrane reminisced about the legacy of his character for HBO Max’s “Return to Hogwarts” 20th anniversary special.
“The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” he said tearfully at the time. “So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easy. I’ll not be here, sadly, but … Hagrid will, yes.”
