On Oct. 9, Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who was well known for his role as Hagrid in “Harry Potter” franchise and starred in the British crime series “Cracker,” passed away at the age of 72 in Larbert, Scotland, the New York Times reported. 

A week after his death, it was revealed that the actor died following multiple organ failures, according to multiple UK reports. The “Harry Potter” actor’s death certificate also showed that he had been suffering from sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection and heart block. Coltrane had also been previously diagnosed with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. 

According to the New York Times, Coltrane was born March 30, 1950 as Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, Scotland. He adopted his stage name in honor of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, and moved to London, where he started a career as a stand-up comedian. Coltrane later began acting and started picking up small roles on television and films.

First-year Carrie Greene, a fan of the beloved “Harry Potter” series, shared her thoughts on the actor’s passing: “It makes me sad because Hagrid was one of my favorite Harry Potter characters, but I am glad that his memory is preserved in the films.” 

Greene also expressed her feelings on how fans of the “Harry Potter” universe, and Coltrane’s fellow cast members, must feel after his death: “I think a lot of fans of the Harry Potter series and universe are going to be really upset because he was such a lovable character. I also believe that his fellow actors and actresses are really sad, they must have gotten pretty close over the filming of eight movies.”

As the “Harry Potter” universe mourns the loss of Coltrane, many of his former co-stars have begun to pay tribute to the actor with personal messages. 

“Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone,” Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the films, shared on Instagram. “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.”  

Kiersten Walker, a junior, shared her condolences along with Coltrane’s former co-stars as a “Harry Potter” fan herself: “I can only imagine how hard this will be for the other members of the Harry Potter films; I mean, you have to think about how they just lost someone that they grew up with, spend hours and hours on end with and have years of memories with. I’m sure many of them are extremely sad.”

On Jan. 1, 2022, HBO Max premiered their television special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” in which Coltrane appeared with his co-stars and reflected on his time spent in the role of Hagrid. 

“The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children,” Coltrane said. “So you could be watching it in 50 years’ time, easily. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will, yes.”