SKIP TO CONTENT

In Memoriam 2022: Robbie Coltrane (1950–2022) Tribute List

Robbie Coltrane, a Scottish actor and comedian, gained worldwide recognition in the 2000s when — having been personally selected by J.K. Rowling — he played the good-natured half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. A prolific performer, Coltrane starred in several television roles, including Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in Cracker, which won him three consecutive British television Best Actor awards. He was also successful in several film performances, including two James Bond films: GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. Throughout Coltrane's career, he received numerous nominations and awards, and was appointed an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for his services to drama. This tribute highlights Robbie Coltrane's career with movie quotes and news articles.
13 words 10 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Full list of words from this list:

  1. single out
    select from a group
    "Don' you worry, Harry. You'll learn fast enough. Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts, you'll be just fine. Just be yerself. I know it's hard. Yeh've been singled out, an' always hard. But yeh'll have a great time at Hogwarts — I did — still do, 'smatter of fact."
    – Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  2. insult
    treat, mention, or speak to rudely
    "Never insult Albus Dumbledore in front of me!"
    – Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  3. ashamed
    feeling guilt or embarrassment or remorse
    "I am what I am, an' I'm not ashamed. 'Never be ashamed,' my ol' dad used ter say, 'there's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with."
    – Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  4. embark
    set out on, as an enterprise or subject of study
    He was among one of the first characters to appear on screen, and he recited the famous line, "Yer a wizard, Harry," to a young Daniel Radcliffe as he embarked on his journey into the wizarding world.
    Variety
  5. mentor
    a wise and trusted guide and advisor
    He went on to appear in dozens of films and TV shows, but is perhaps known best to "Harry Potter" fans as Hagrid, the good-natured half-giant groundskeeper of Hogwarts and a mentor to Harry as he navigated the wizarding world. He appeared in all eight "Potter" films, released from 2001 to 2011.
    USA Today
  6. navigate
    direct carefully and safely
    He went on to appear in dozens of films and TV shows, but is perhaps known best to "Harry Potter" fans as Hagrid, the good-natured half-giant groundskeeper of Hogwarts and a mentor to Harry as he navigated the wizarding world. He appeared in all eight "Potter" films, released from 2001 to 2011.
    USA Today
  7. aficionado
    a serious devotee of some activity, genre, or performer
    He was a jazz aficionado and adopted the stage name Coltrane in tribute to John Coltrane, the renowned saxophonist.
    BBC
  8. renowned
    widely known and esteemed
    He was a jazz aficionado and adopted the stage name Coltrane in tribute to John Coltrane, the renowned saxophonist.
    BBC
  9. hone
    refine or make more perfect or effective
    Before Coltrane shot to international fame playing the bearded Hagrid, he honed his comedic skills on the theater stage.
    CNN
  10. precedence
    status established in order of importance or urgency
    Coltrane's comedy skills began to take precedence, as he found success in the early 1980s in TV sketch shows such as Alfresco and A Kick Up the Eighties.
    The Guardian
  11. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    Coltrane's raised status was confirmed by his casting as the criminal psychologist "Fitz" Fitzgerald in Jimmy McGovern's TV series Cracker, which first aired in 1993. A defiantly non-comic role, Fitzgerald was a groundbreaking creation: brilliant at his job but a mess in his personal life. Coltrane won the best TV actor Bafta in 1994, 1995 and 1996 for the role.
    The Guardian
  12. rave
    an extravagantly enthusiastic review
    More recently, he received rave reviews for playing a beloved TV star who may harbor a dark secret in the 2016 miniseries "National Treasure."
    NPR
  13. legacy
    anything handed down by someone or something in the past
    "The legacy of the movies is, I suspect, that my children’s generation will show them to their children. So you could be watching it in 50 years' time, easy. I'll not be here, sadly, but...But Hagrid will, yes," Coltrane said while wiping a tear.
    The Daily Beast
Created on Thu Jan 19 19:08:38 EST 2023 (updated Thu Feb 02 10:36:02 EST 2023)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.