Robbie Coltrane once ‘drank a bottle of whisky a day’ and boasted he could down a ‘gallon of beer and not feel drunk’
THE much-loved Robbie Coltrane is said to have once been able to drink a bottle of whisky a day and boasted he could put back a gallon of beer and still not feel drunk.
It comes as the Harry Potter and James Bond star died in hospital in Scotland at the age of 72.
Coltrane, a heavy drinker, claimed once he could drink a bottle of whisky a day.
He also dabbled with drugs and often ate to excess which saw his weight balloon to more than 20 stone.
His pal, the late actor John Sessions, said Coltrane had a “strong self-destructive streak” and a “deep, driving melancholy”.
“Booze is my undoing,” Coltrane once said. “I can drink a gallon of beer and not feel the least bit drunk.”
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During his heyday in the 1990s, he was known to bite a chunk out of a wine glass and swirl it around his mouth.
The 72-year-old had osteoarthritis, which saw him bound to a wheelchair in his later years and in “constant pain”.
In 2020, Coltrane told the Daily Express: “I was fighting pain 24 hours a day when I was in National Treasure and Great Expectations.
“I had no cartilage in my knee. It was bone on bone.”
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The actor was so debilitated he couldn’t walk unassisted, and said he wouldn’t wish such pain “on [his] worst enemy”.
Doctors were said to have told him in the past — when he was thought to have been more than 20st — he must lose 7st or risk facing life as a “cripple”.
In 2016, he was attempting to reach the target weight in order to be given treatment.
He had 2st to go, walked with a cane, and explained: “I’m in constant pain all day.
“I had an exploratory operation and they discovered I had no cartilage left in one of my knees.
“It’s completely disintegrated.”
Three years later Coltrane shocked and worried fans when he was pictured in a wheelchair – unable to walk.
Sources reported the actor was awaiting a knee replacement after osteoarthritis destroyed his joints.
Then, the following year, Coltrane opened up himself.
A source added at the time: “He was wheeled in and out of the Harry Potter event on Monday which came as a big shock to fans given they’re so used to seeing him standing strong and tall as Hagrid.
“It’s left him unable to walk without any assistance and he’s been given a wheelchair while he waits to have a special surgical procedure in America to repair his joint.
I was fighting pain 24 hours a day.
Robbie Coltrane
“It’s hugely frustrating for him but he’s really hoping to be back on his feet after getting the operation.”
Fortunately, by 2020 the actor had found some “relief from pain” as he was able to have the long-awaited surgery.
He said at the time: “It was just horrible. The relief from that pain since the operation and being able to sleep has changed my life.”
Coltrane had been due to attend the July Comic-Con this year, where he was set to meet fans and pose for photos at the event, held at Olympia London, but cancelled his appearance.
The event organisers emailed fans, and said: “It is with deep regret that Robbie Coltrane has to withdraw from the July Comic-Con due to his continuing ill health.
“He is very sorry to disappoint his fans and supporters and hopes very much to appear at another Showmasters event when his health permits.”
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has led the tributes for Coltrane this evening following the news of his death.
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The final photo of Coltrane has also been revealed – and it’s a sweet shot of him chatting to another former Harry Potter co-star.
Coltrane was always known to be close with the child stars, who he called his “own kids”.