It is with great sadness that we learned that Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, known throughout geekdom for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise, has passed away earlier today at the age of 72.

Apart from playing in all eight Harry Potter films, the actor as also starred in Nuns on the Run, Ocean’s Twelve, Mona Lisa, and as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in two James Bond Films: “GoldenEye” and “The World Is Not Enough.”

A statement released by his agent, Belinda Wright:

My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday October 14. Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.

He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.

James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.

For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.

He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.

Please respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.