Paul Grant, an actor and stuntman best known for his roles in the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, has died aged 56.
Grant was found collapsed outside of King’s Cross station in London on Thursday and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared brain dead. His family made the decision to turn off his life support machine on Sunday.
His daughter Sophie, said in a statement to The Sun, “I’m devastated. My dad was a legend in so many ways. He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face. He would do anything for anyone and was a massive Arsenal fan.”
Grant had roles in a number of popular fantasy films, most notably as an Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) and a Gringotts goblin in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001). He also appeared in Labyrinth (1986) and Willow (1988), and performed stunts in Legend (1985).
Harry Potter actor Paul Grant dies age 56, he played a fantastic Goblin role ???? pic.twitter.com/uIeyde9wX3
— Daily Harry Potter (@TheDailyHPotter) March 20, 2023
Grant revealed his issues with drugs and alcohol in 2014. In an interview with the Mirror almost ten years ago, Grant said, “My family has disowned me and work has dried up. I’ve been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I’m drinking and smoking what I can get. I want to get back to where I was.”
Grant was born with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare genetic disorder that causes short stature and orthopedic conditions in the joints, according to Johns Hopkins.
He is survived by his daughter Sophie and son Robbie, his girlfriend Maria Dwyer, and several stepchildren, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Nicole, who died in childhood.
Dwyer paid tribute to Grant in a statement to The Guardian, saying, “Paul was the love of my life. The funniest man I know. He made my life complete. Life is never going to be the same without him.”
Fans of Grant’s work commented, ”
ET Online | People |The US Sun
