History of Robbie Coltrane in Timeline
Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, was a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of the beloved half-giant, earning him an OBE for his services to drama in 2006. His comedic talent was acknowledged with the Evening Standard British Film Award in 1990, and in 2011, he received the British Academy Scotland Awards for his significant contribution to film.
March 1950: Birth of Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan in March 1950 in Rutherglen, Scotland.
1951: Production Year of the Cadillac in Coltrane in a Cadillac
The Cadillac Series 62 coupe convertible featured in Coltrane in a Cadillac was produced in 1951.
1978: The Slab Boys Debut
Robbie Coltrane began his acting career in his early twenties, adopting the stage name Coltrane. He made his theatrical debut in the first stage production of John Byrne's The Slab Boys at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1978.
1980: Film Debut with Flash Gordon and Death Watch
Robbie Coltrane began appearing in films, making his debut with roles in Flash Gordon and Death Watch in 1980.
1981: Appearance in Balham, Gateway to the South
Coltrane appeared in the film Balham, Gateway to the South in 1981.
1982: The Comic Strip Presents Premiere
Coltrane appeared in The Comic Strip Presents, which ran from 1982 to 2012.
1983: Alfresco Premiere
Coltrane appeared in the comedy sketch show Alfresco, which ran from 1983 to 1984.
1983: Roles in Scrubbers and Krull
Coltrane appeared in the films Scrubbers and Krull in 1983.
1984: A Kick Up the Eighties and Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee
Robbie Coltrane appeared in A Kick Up the Eighties (Series 2) and Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee, and was credited as a writer for both in 1984.
1985: Roles in The Supergrass and Defence of the Realm
Coltrane appeared in The Supergrass and Defence of the Realm in 1985.
1986: Roles in Absolute Beginners and Mona Lisa
Robbie Coltrane appeared in the films Absolute Beginners and Mona Lisa in 1986.
1987: Roles in Tutti Frutti and Blackadder the Third
Coltrane appeared in the television series Tutti Frutti and played Samuel Johnson in Blackadder the Third in 1987.
1987: Debut and BAFTA Nomination
Robbie Coltrane started his career appearing alongside Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Emma Thompson in the sketch series Alfresco and starred in the BBC miniseries Tutti Frutti, receiving his first British Academy Television Award for Best Actor nomination in 1987.
1988: Appearance in The Fruit Machine
Coltrane played "Annabelle" in The Fruit Machine in 1988.
1989: The Robbie Coltrane Special and Henry V
Coltrane appeared in LWT's The Robbie Coltrane Special, which he also co-wrote, and played the part of Falstaff in Kenneth Branagh's Henry V in 1989.
1990: Appearance in Nuns on the Run
Coltrane co-starred with Eric Idle in Nuns on the Run in 1990.
1990: Evening Standard British Film Award Win
In 1990, Coltrane received the Evening Standard British Film Award – Peter Sellers Award for Comedy.
1991: Playing the Pope in The Pope Must Die
Coltrane played the Pope in The Pope Must Die in 1991.
1992: Starring in The Bogie Man
Coltrane played a would-be private detective obsessed with Humphrey Bogart in the TV film The Bogie Man in 1992.
1993: Coltrane in a Cadillac Premiere
Coltrane presented the documentary series Coltrane in a Cadillac in 1993, where he traveled across North America in a 1951 Cadillac.
1993: Reprising Samuel Johnson
Coltrane reprised his role as Samuel Johnson in Boswell and Johnson's Tour of the Western Islands in 1993.
1993: Directorial Debut with "Jealousy"
In 1993, Coltrane directed and co-wrote the episode "Jealousy" for series 5 of The Comic Strip Presents.
1993: Cracker Premiere
The TV series Cracker, in which Coltrane starred as forensic psychologist Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald, premiered in 1993 and ran until 1996, with a one-off special in 2006.
1994: First BAFTA Award Win for Best Actor
Coltrane received the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role in Cracker in 1994.
1995: James Bond Debut in GoldenEye
Robbie Coltrane landed a role in the James Bond film GoldenEye in 1995.
1996: Third Consecutive BAFTA Win
Robbie Coltrane won his third consecutive British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 1996 for his role in Cracker.
1996: Conclusion of Cracker's Original Run
The original run of the TV series Cracker, starring Robbie Coltrane, concluded in 1996.
1997: Coltrane's Planes and Automobiles Premiere
Coltrane presented a six-part documentary series titled Coltrane's Planes and Automobiles in 1997, exploring various engines.
1999: Appearance in The World Is Not Enough
Coltrane appeared in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough in 1999.
2000: 'Most Famous Scot' Poll Conducted
The poll to determine the 'most famous Scot', in which Robbie Coltrane ranked sixth, was conducted in 2000.
2001: From Hell and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Coltrane had a supporting role in the film From Hell and debuted as Rubeus Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001.
2003: Separation and Divorce from Rhona Gemmell
Coltrane and Rhona Gemmell separated in 2003 and later divorced.
February 2005: Coltrane's Views on Scottish Independence
In February 2005, Coltrane shared his views on Scottish independence at a Scottish Labour event, expressing his support for an independent Labour Scotland.
September 2006: Ranked Among the 'Most Famous Scot'
In September 2006, Coltrane was voted No. 11 in ITV's TV's 50 Greatest Stars and sixth in a poll to determine the 'most famous Scot'.
2006: Ranked Among TV's 50 Greatest Stars
Coltrane was voted eleventh in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars by the public in 2006.
2006: Cracker Reunion Special
Robbie Coltrane returned to his role as Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald in a one-off special of Cracker in 2006.
2006: Robbie Coltrane Appointed OBE
Robbie Coltrane was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.
August 2007: B-Road Britain Premiere
Coltrane presented a series for ITV called B-Road Britain, traveling from London to Glasgow, in August 2007.
2008: Voice Acting in The Tale of Despereaux
Coltrane lent his voice to characters in the animated film The Tale of Despereaux in 2008.
2009: Voicing Gooby and The Gruffalo
Coltrane voiced the title roles in the animated films Gooby and The Gruffalo in 2009.
2011: British Academy Scotland Awards Honor
Robbie Coltrane was honored for his "outstanding contribution" to film at the British Academy Scotland Awards in 2011.
2011: Conclusion of the Harry Potter Film Series
The final film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, in which Coltrane played Rubeus Hagrid, was released in 2011.
2012: Voicing a Character in Pixar's Brave
Coltrane provided a voice role in the Pixar film Brave in 2012.
2012: End of The Comic Strip Presents
The Comic Strip Presents, in which Coltrane appeared, concluded in 2012.
2016: Publicly Discussing Osteoarthritis
Coltrane openly spoke about experiencing "constant pain all day" due to osteoarthritis in 2016.
2016: BAFTA Nomination for National Treasure
Coltrane starred in the Channel 4 series National Treasure, earning him a British Academy Television Award nomination in 2016.
2016: National Treasure Premiere
Coltrane starred in the four-part drama National Treasure, playing a former comedian accused of historic sexual offenses in 2016.
2017: BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award Nominations
Coltrane was nominated for Best Actor at the 2017 British Academy Television Awards and won in the same category at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards for his role in National Treasure.
2019: Using a Wheelchair Due to Osteoarthritis
From 2019 onwards, Coltrane used a wheelchair due to his osteoarthritis.
October 2022: Robbie Coltrane's Death
Robbie Coltrane passed away at the age of 72 in October 2022 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland. His death certificate, registered by his former wife Rhona Gemmell, attributed the cause to multiple organ failure, sepsis, a lower respiratory tract infection, and heart block. He had been battling illness for two years prior.
October 2022: Death of Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane passed away in October 2022.
December 2022: BBC Four Tribute Programme
In December 2022, BBC Four aired a tribute program honoring Robbie Coltrane, narrated by his friend and fellow actor Celia Imrie, titled "Robbie Coltrane at the BBC." This was followed by the documentary "Richard Wilson Remembers... Tutti Frutti" and the first two episodes of "Tutti Frutti." The remaining four episodes of "Tutti Frutti" were broadcast over the following two nights.
