"Harry Potter" stars Emma Watson and Tom Felton paid tribute to their co-star Dave Legeno who passed way last week.
British actress Emma Watson has paid tribute to her 'lovely' Harry Potter co-star Dave Legeno, after he passed away aged 50 from heat stroke while hiking in Death Valley, California.
Legeno, who played werewolf Fenrir Greyback in three of the Harry Potter movies, was discovered by a pair of hikers in the remote wash below Manly Beacon, West of Zabriskie Point.
A helicopter was sent out to recover the mixed martial arts expert's body, Inyo County officials confirmed.
County Deputy Coroner Jason Molinar said the actor's body may have been lying for days in triple-digit heat, as it was partially decomposed.
Taking to the social media, Watson, who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, expressed her condolences.
"I'm so sad to hear about #DaveLegeno. He was such a lovely man. I hope he is resting in peace x," she tweeted.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter villain Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in all the films, described Legeno as a "great talent" in a moving message on Instagram.
"Dave Legeno. It was always a pleasure. He was a great talent with a heart of gold and always had time for anyone," he said. "Dave was a soft, kind gentleman off screen but had the skill to be the complete opposite on screen. He taught me lots, You will be missed mate xx #DaveLegeno."
The post has garnered over 43,000 likes so far. The post was followed by another picture of the two on the sets of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince."
"Dave & I on Half Blood Prince, he was sometimes scary on the outside but was always soft on the inside. A sweet, gentle man who was often disguised as a brute. He'll be missed. Thank you for all the good times mate x #davelegen," the actor continued.
Apart from being a brilliant actor, Legeno was an active mixed martial arts expert. His professional MMA career spanned from 2005-2007 and included wins over Kimo Leopoldo, Dan Severn and Herb Dean. The seven-fight veteran fought all his pro bouts under the Cage Rage banner, retiring from the sport following his win over four-time Fighters Only World MMA Awards 'Referee of the Year', Herb Dean, in July 2007 with a respectable record of 4-3.
Legeno also appeared in numerous hit movies including "Snatch" and "Snow White and the Huntsman."
