The Scottish actor, best known for playing Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the 1990s drama Cracker, died on Friday.
In a statement, his 40-year agent, Belinda Wright, said the actor will likely be remembered as Hagrid, who has generated "a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years." He described Coltrane, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, as a "wonderful actor" and "smart forensic".
Coltrane won the Bafta Award for Best Actor three years in a row for his role in Cracker and was named OBE on the 2006 New Year's Eve Awards list. His agent did not elaborate on his death.
'A unique suit'
Harry Potter author JK Rowling tweeted a photo with Coltrane, saying, "I'll never meet anyone like Robbie again. He was incredibly talented, absolutely unique… "Several Harry Potter actors paid tribute to Coltrane, including Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, and James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley.
Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, said: “Robbie was one of the funniest people he ever met and made us laugh constantly as kids on set. "I have particularly fond memories of him keeping spirits up in the Prisoner of Azkaban, when we all hid from the pouring rain for hours in Hagrid's hut and he would tell stories and joke to keep morale up."
Phelps said he will miss the "random chatter about everything under the sun" with Coltrane.
Arguably, Coltrane's role in the eight Harry Potter film series has become his best known of him. Stephen Fry, who starred opposite Coltrane in the comedy series Alfresco, said the actor "will miss him terribly". Fry said he met Coltrane nearly 40 years ago, adding, "Such depth, power and talent - funny enough to cause hiccups and honks during the making of our first TV show, 'Alfresco'."
"A legend of Scottish entertainment"
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Coltrane as a "Scottish entertainment legend" and said he will be greatly missed. Actor Robert Lindsay, who starred opposite Coltrane in 1989 Bert Rigby's You're a Silly Dude, "adding," We shared a trip to Hollywood that will live with me forever. " Coltrane leaves behind her sister Annie Rae, her children Spencer and Alice, and her mother Rhona Gemmell.
He was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, and attended the Glasgow School of Art and the Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.