'Harry Potter' Actor Found Dead in California

The "Harry Potter" family is mourning the death of one of their own today.

British actor Dave Legeno, who played the villainous werewolf Fenrir Greyback in the Harry Potter movies, was found dead on a hiking trail in Death Valley, California, on July 6.

According to reports from police, the 50-year-old actor had been hiking the trails, which are in one of the hottest and driest places in America, when a hiker unacquainted with Legeno discovered his remains. The body was recovered and airlifted out so that Legeno could be identified.

Police say that there are "no signs of foul play," and added that "it appears that Legeno died of heat-related issues."

Legeno had begun to carve out a solid acting career in large part based on his imposing stature: At 6-foot-3 and around 250 pounds, the former cagefighter was primed for roles like that of Fenrir Greyback.

Legeno made his debut in Guy Ritchie's "Snatch" and went on to do some stunt work as a League of Shadows assassin in "Batman Begins." He appeared as Greyback in the final three Harry Potter films, and also played Broch in "Snow White and The Huntsman." He was about to begin filming "The Last Knights" starring Morgan Freeman before his death.

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Potter series, eulogized Legeno 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. 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."