What Robbie Coltrane'd Really Thought About Rowling's Transphobic Tweets
Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane died on October 14 in a Larbert, Scotland hospital aged 72. The fan-favorite Rubeus Hagrid previously defended JK Rowling against transphobia accusations.
Then 70-year-old actor told Radio Times (via Pink News), "I don't think what she said was offensive really. I don't know why but there's a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended."
Coltrane continued, "They wouldn't have won the war, would they? That's me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, 'Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight, and carry on.'"
But after all that had been said, he did not want to discuss the topic anymore. "I don't want to get involved in all of that because of all the hate mail and all that s**t, which I don't need at my time of life."
Even though the actor did not share his own thoughts on the matter, what's been said was enough to upset some of the fans. Twitter and Reddit users were quick to react, sharing their disappointment at the fact that the actor defended Rowling. Many HP fans noted that if the actor did not want to get involved in this mess, then he should've not said anything at all, quoting Coltrane's character from Harry Potter, "Shouldn't have said that, shouldn't have said that."
The Harry Potter author JK Rowling paid her tribute to the late actor via tweet recently, saying she'll "never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one-off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him."
Harry Potter stars, who distanced themselves from Rowling, have also honored the memory of the actor, remembering him fondly on their social media.
"Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had, but most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult," Watson writes in her Instagram Story.
"Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid was my favorite character!" says Bonnie Wright via her Twitter.
"Robbie cared & looked after everyone around of him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly," says Tom Felton on his Instagram.
"Robbie was one of the funniest people I've met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on the set," says Daniel Radcliffe in a statement obtained by Deadline.
Rupert Grint also paid tribute to Coltrane on Instagram, saying "Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life- warm, compassionate, and hilarious. A giant-hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later."
Even though some fans were uncomfortable with Coltrane's point of view on the scandal surrounding Rowling, he will always be remembered as sweet, kind, and caring half-giant Rubeus Hagrid. So, wands up, Hogwarts, wands up.