Remembering Robbie Coltrane (1950-2022)

You’d think that the easiest part of writing one of  these things is choosing whether to categorise them under either ‘Movie’ or ‘TV’. Normally you’d be bang on, but for a genuine legend such as Robbie Coltrane, who graced both with his towering talent, the choice is a lot less clear.

As the great Scot – whom we’ve just lost at the age of 72 – was undeniably famous to modern audiences for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise, movies had to get the nod. Yet, as with so many actors from the franchise, he produced a whole body of work that will be enjoyed forever. In Coltrane’s case it was four decades-worth.

As it was for so many now-famous faces back in the 80s, the long-running comedy series The Comic Strip Presents was his first real foray into television. Two episodes of Blackadder followed, after which came the cult 1990 film comedy Nuns on the Run. The 90s was the decade for serial ad campaigns, and Coltrane himself was to become the star of a series for Persil washing powder. A trip to YouTube will demonstrate how this demonstated his gift for comedy as well as anything.

Despite his undoubted talent, it arguably wasn’t until he took on the role of the alcoholic, chain-smoking criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in the ITV drama Cracker, when he was taken really seriously as an actor. Three BAFTAs, no less, were the rewards for this masterclass in playing a flawed genius.

Speaking of BAFTAs, he also received a best supporting actor nomination in 2002 for The Philosopher’s Stone, narrowly missing out to Jim Broadbent’s star turn in Moulin Rouge. In 2017, Coltrane was also the recipient of three prestigious gongs, for his portrayal of disgraced comic Paul Finchley in the critically-acclaimed Channel 4 series National Treasure. Sadly, this has now proved to be his last major role.

His versatility was probably best demonstrated by his knack for accents – Hagrid’s West Country twang was merely the tip of the iceberg. Estuary English as Dr. Samuel Johnson in Blackadder the Third, cockney geezer (before cockney geezers were a thing) in Danny the Champion of the World, Russian gangster in two Bond films; there really was no linit to his ability.

The latter was where he really hit the big-time, taking on the role of the villainous Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in 1995’s Goldeneye, Pierce Brosnan‘s debut outing as 007, and The World Is Not Enough in 1999. Asked at a premiere about whether he’d considered playing Bond instead, he quipped: “Well, they’ve already had one devilishly handsome Scotsman playing the lead role.”

Screen giants such as Gary Oldman, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and John Hurt had all carved stellar careers long before they took the Potter reins. Robbie Coltrane’s is right up there with them.