British actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role as "Hagrid" in the Harry Potter films, has died. The British news agency PA reported on Friday evening, citing the 72-year-old's agent, Belinda Wright. Accordingly, the native of Scotland died on Friday in a hospital near the Scottish city of Falkirk.

Wright recognized Coltrane as a "unique talent". His role as game warden at Hogwarts School of Magic earned him a weekly stream of fan letters for more than 20 years, the agent said. As Rubeus Hagrid, Coltrane gave Harry Potter the gigantic but lovable, if somewhat goofy, wizard student mentor who rescues him from the hands of his jealous foster family.

Coltrane also starred in the James Bond films GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough, starring Pierce Brosnan. He was known to an older generation primarily through his role as criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie Fitzgerald "Fitz" in the crime series Just In Case Fitz.