LOL, I almost wrote that down too. That’s where I learned that, from that film. 
I saw “RIP Legend” in my Twitter feed and thought that John Legend was awfully young to die. But then I clicked on it and discovered that it was merely somebody who had an enormous amount of respect for Robbie Coltrane.
I remember him doing a tour of the US a while back. One thing he got to experience was a high school football game in some godforsaken jerkwater town in the Midwest:
“I have never been so bloody bored in my life!”
For some reason, I will always remember that quote. 
RIP, Rob!
Mona Lisa with Bob Hoskins and Michael Caine was a great movie. That was one of the places where I first saw Robbie Coltrane. (That and Cracker, I think.)
That’s the first thing I think of when I hear his name.
It was a hell of a good series. Loved it when it was first run in '93, binge watched the whole thing again a couple of years ago.
If you want to see him indulging in a hobby, but under the guise of education, here’s Coltrane’s Planes and Automobiles.
My mistake. That was a difference actor, an Englishman who is but a few months younger.
I came to post this. He was brilliant in that series. RIP.
II may be about the only person who first took notice of the dude in Krull, then watched the credits till I knew his name. Saw him later in the Pope must die(t) with Eric Idle. I thought he was funny as hell, always wondered what happened to his career.
If you want to know acting range is, watch Cracker and then the “Dr Johnson” episode of Blackadder.
Not to mention one of the ghosts in the Christmas Carol special episode.
I need to watch the Cracker series all over again. Been a few years. It’s this one (accept no substitutes):
As the blurb says, Cracker is an anti-social, obnoxious, chain-smoking, avowed drunkard and gambler who treats people like crap and always seems to be on the verge of falling apart. BUT when he sits down in the interview room with a suspect or witness, he quietly becomes this brilliant, still, utterly focused, gentle listener who can “bore directly into the hearts and minds of his subjects” (as another blurb says)… He is amazing to watch.
The series won a boatload of awards.
Just an aside. The series is available on Britbox. I’ve started watching Season (Series) 1/Episode 1 from 1993… I must say it’s refreshing to watch a cop show set back in the day when a cell phone isn’t ringing every other minute. You may have to force yourself to get through the first episode, as when you meet Fitz, he is completely rude, disgusting, and obnoxious. Within the first few minutes, his wife leaves him and goes to her mom. He smokes and drinks constantly. He’s maxed out their credit cards and gotten a loan against their mortgage, probably to play the horses. Stick with it, if you can. You will be rewarded.
You’ll see many familiar faces from other British mystery shows-- Midsomer Murders, Lewis, Inspector George Gently, DCI Banks-- and they are so young!
The series had a last hurrah with a 2006 movie, also called Cracker. Can’t speak to the quality of that one.
Carry on.
I watched every episode of House so I’m sure that won’t bother me. I’m going to track down Cracker to watch it.
American TV made an attempt at copying that series, with Robert Pastorelli (probably best known as Murphy Brown’s live-in handyman) in the title role, and quite frankly, it was very well done, which is probably why they were only able to get half a season out before it was cancelled.
This is the one you want – that starts in 1993.
It’s important to watch the entire series in order. The overall story arc is VERY well put together. A subplot involving two of the characters, running through many episodes, has a shocking resolution (ThelmaLou knows what I’m referring to).
It really is one of the best Brit Cop shows ever. And yes, Fritz is not a particularly likeable character. Coltrane and the supporting cast are extremely good.
I haven’t read a cause of death. I know he suffered from osteoarthritis and was in pain 24 hours a day. People have killed themselves for that; but I can’t imagine Robbie Coltrane doing it.
Nitpick: Fitz.
I know you meant that.