Born: 30 March 1950
Where: Rutherglen, Scotland
Height: 6' 1"
Robbie (born Robert MacMillan) arrived on the 30th of March, 1950, in the outskirts of Glasgow. His parents Ian and Jean exposed him to various genres of music, film, art and literature, which Robbie grew to have a great interest in. He also developed a love of motor vehicles, often pretending he was a truck as a young boy.
After his primary education, Robbie was sent to a public school in Perthshire. He deeply disliked the school, and used his natural ability for comedy to help him through. He was immensely popular among the students, and was known as quite a prankster. His stage debut was made at age 12 in a school production. Rugby also became an interest, touring Canada with the Scotland Schoolboy’s side at the age of 15. After school, Robbie enrolled in Edinburgh’s Moray House College of Education to study art, but realised it wasn’t for him. Due to his love of Jazz, he also took on the last name of Coltrane.
In 1973, a short film Robbie had made was voted ‘Best film of the year’ by the Scottish Education Council. He then began to spend his time in Glasgow and Edinburgh performing in small fringe productions, and eventually larger more established groups. He also began to branch into stand-up comedy, his mastery of accent making him a crowd favourite.
Robbie then began to experiment with a wide variety of projects, undertaking both comedic and more serious roles to expand his ability. In 1988 he met Rhonda Gemmell, whom he later married and fathered son Spencer, and daughter Alice.
His more well known works include the hit TV show Cracker, and the portrayal of Russian Valentin Zukovsky in James Bond. However, we know him best as big and loyal Rubeus Hagrid from the Harry Potter movies. Robbie has appeared in the first 5 movies to date, and is hopefully set to continue for the duration of the series.
Random Facts:
- To play Hagrid, Robbie must wear lifts and a specially designed suit. He is often shot from below to give that giant-like appearance.
- He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2006 New Year's Honours List for his services to drama.
- Personally selected by J.K. Rowling as her favourite choice to play Hagrid.
Info from
Tiscali UK.
Recent Filmography
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008) (filming) - Rubeus Hagrid
• The Tale of Despereaux (2008) (in production) (voice) - Gregory
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) - Rubeus Hagrid
• Stormbreaker (2006) - Prime Minister
• Cracker (2006) (TV) - Dr. Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald
• Provoked: A True Story (2006) - Lord Edward Foster
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) - Rubeus Hagrid
• "Still Game" - Davie the Bus Driver (1 episode, 2005)
• Ocean's Twelve (2004) - Matsui
• Pride (2004) (TV) (voice) - James
Filmography from
Imdb.
Contact Information
Robbie Coltrane
Rubeus Hagrid
PS/SS, COS, POA
c/o CDA
125 Gloucester Road
London
SW7 4TE
United Kingdom
Contact info from
Veritaserum.