Comic actor had been unwell for some time

Robbie Coltrane’s cause of death last weekend has been revealed.

Several newspapers are reporting that the 72-year-old suffered multiple organ failure.

His death certificate also noted he had been suffering from sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection and heart block. He had also been diagnosed with obesity and Type 2 diabetes and it had been reported he had been unwell for some time before his death.

Although usually described as a ‘Harry Potter’ star in obituaries, Coltrane had a long and varied career including the ITV crime drama Cracker and numerous comedy roles.

He started his career in comedy appearing alongside Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Emma Thompson in the 1983 sketch series Alfresco and in several of the Comic Strip Presents films. Among many comedy appearances, he made a memorable guest appearance as dictionary compiler Samuel Johnson in Blackadder The Third and appeared in Jack Dee's semi-autobiographical sitcom Lead Balloon as a prisoner doing a comedy course.

He died in Forth Valley Royal Hospital near Falkirk on October 14.

When the news was announced, his agent Belinda Wright said : 'Robbie will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid... a role which brought joy to children and adults alike, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.

'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.

Published: 23 Oct 2022