Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith’s co-star from Downton Abbey, and Bonnie Wright, who worked with her in Harry Potter, have shared their heartfelt tributes following her passing at 89.
Bonneville, who acted with Dame Maggie in the ITV show, called her a “real legend of her time” with a “quick sense of humor and incredible talent.”
Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, remembered her favorite moment with Smith. It was “when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball” in the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, shared on Friday that the Oscar-winning actress had passed away at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. In a statement, her children shared:
“She passed away peacefully in the hospital early on Friday morning, 27 September. She was a very private person and was surrounded by family and friends at the end.
“She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren, who are heartbroken by the loss of their amazing mother and grandmother.”
“We also want to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during her final days.
“Thank you for your kind messages and support, and we ask that our privacy be respected during this time.”
King Charles Praises Maggie Smith’s ‘Warmth and Wit’
King Charles III honored the late Dame Maggie Smith, praising her “warmth and wit.” He shared his thoughts and a photo of them talking at the Pride of Britain Awards in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in October 2016.
“My wife and I were very saddened to hear about the passing of Dame Maggie Smith,”
Charles said
“As we say goodbye to a national treasure, we join people worldwide in remembering her many unforgettable performances. Her warmth and wit shone brightly on and off the stage, and she will always be admired and loved.”
Downton Abbey Remembers ‘A True British Icon’
On X/Twitter, the official Downton Abbey account posted a picture of Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
“A true British icon. Thank you for everything, Dame Maggie Smith.”
They captioned the photo
Daniel Radcliffe Recalls Harry Potter Co-Star Maggie Smith’s ‘Gloriously Sharp Tongue’
Daniel Radcliffe shared a heartfelt tribute to his Harry Potter co-star, Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at 89.
Radcliffe played the young wizard in eight films from 2001 to 2011, with Smith appearing in all but one as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House and deputy headmistress at Hogwarts under Albus Dumbledore.
In a statement shared with The Independent, Daniel Radcliffe said:
“The first time I met Maggie Smith, I was 9 years old, and we were reading scenes for David Copperfield, my first acting job. I knew almost nothing about her, except that my parents were amazed I’d be working with her.“
“The other thing I knew was that she was a Dame, so I asked her, ‘Would you like me to call you Dame?’ She laughed and said, ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’. I remember being nervous to meet her, but she immediately made me feel comfortable. She was incredibly kind to me during that project, and I was lucky to work with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films.”
“She had a sharp mind, a gloriously sharp tongue, and could be both intimidating and charming at the same time. She was, as everyone says, extremely funny. I will always feel incredibly lucky to have worked with her and spent time with her on set. The word ‘legend’ is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, it’s her.
“Thank you, Maggie.”
Whoopi Goldberg Reveals How Maggie Smith Helped Her After Mother’s Death
Actor Whoopi Goldberg recently shared how her Sister Act co-star, Dame Maggie Smith, supported her during a tough time in her life. In 2010, while in London for the West End musical version of Sister Act, Goldberg received a call from her brother, Clyde K. Johnson, telling her that their mother had suffered an aneurysm and was on life support.
Goldberg, posted a picture of them together from the movie on Instagram and said she felt “lucky” to have worked with the actress.
Emma Watson Says Maggie Smith Was ‘A True Definition of Greatness’
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, shared how she has come to appreciate Dame Maggie Smith’s accomplishments more as she’s grown older. On her Instagram Stories, Watson wrote:
“When I was younger, I didn’t fully understand Maggie’s legendary status – the incredible woman I was lucky enough to work with. Now, as an adult, I realize I was on screen with someone who truly embodied greatness.
“She was genuine, honest, funny, and true to herself. Maggie, you stood strong among the male professors, and I admire you for that. Thank you for your kindness. I’ll miss you.”
See More: HBO’s Harry Potter TV Adaptation Begins Casting for Harry, Hermione and Ron
Wands Up to Hogwarts’ Best Teacher Maggie Smith
Harry Potter fans are raising their “wands up” in honor of Dame Maggie Smith.
Fans will remember the sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when the Hogwarts students lit their wands and held them high in the sky to honor Professor Dumbledore after he passed away.
Source: Independent