Maggie Smith tributes: Harry Potter and Downton Abbey co-stars pay respect to acting legend
‘Downton Abbey’ co-star Hugh Bonneville says Oscar-winning Harry Potter actor was a ‘true legend’
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Dame Maggie Smith’s Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville and Harry Potter co-star Bonnie Wright have led tributes to the iconic actor after she died at the age of 89.
Bonneville, who starred alongside Dame Maggie in the ITV drama, remembered her as a “true legend of her generation” who had “sharp wit and formidable talent”.
Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise, recalled her favorite scene with Smith being “when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball” in the fourth movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens announced on Friday the Oscar-winning actress had died in Chelsea and Westminster hospital.
A statement from her children said: “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
King Charles praises Maggie Smith’s ‘warmth and wit’ in touching tribute to late film star
King Charles III has praised the late Dame Maggie Smith for her “warmth and wit” after the actor’s death at the age of 89.
The monarch shared his statement alongside a photograph of the pair speaking at the Pride Of Britain awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in October 2016.
Read more:
The monarch remembered Smith as a ‘national treasure’
Daniel Radcliffe remembers ‘fierce’ Maggie Smith in heartfelt tribute
Daniel Radcliffe has paid a heartfelt tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Maggie Smith in a lengthy statement shared with Variety.
“The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job. I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her,” Radcliffe said.
“The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was ‘would you like me to call you Dame?’ at which she laughed and said something to the effect of ‘don’t be ridiculous!’ I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films.”
He added: “She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.
“I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”
Star Trek actor George Takei pays tribute to ‘grand star’
Star Trek actor George Takei has paid tribute to Dame Maggie Smith as a “grand star of screen and stage” after she died aged 89.
He said on X: “A grand star of screen and stage has departed. Maggie Smith, known most recently for her unforgettable roles as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, passed away at age 89. Fans both old and young shall miss her dearly.”
Maggie Smith’s most iconic roles
Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, Dame Maggie Smith was an internationally recognised actress for much of her life after playing the fanatical teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
One of Dame Maggie’s most iconic roles was playing Professor McGonagall in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise.
And in 2010 she was central to the success of ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-award winning role as the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play in the films.
Former British PM Rishi Sunak pays tribute
Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Dame Maggie Smith as an “icon of the stage and screen”.
Writing on X, Mr Sunak said: Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith - an icon of the stage and screen.
“She touched many lives across many generations with her incredible performances. Rest in peace.”
Maggie Smith’s death comes exactly one year after Harry Potter co-star’s passing
Maggie Smith’s heartbreaking death coincidentally comes exactly one year after the passing of her Harry Potter co-star Michael Gambon.
The Irish actor, who starred as Professor Dumbledore, died on September 27, 2023, at the age of 82.
Other Harry Potter stars who have died include Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) and Leslie Phillips (voice of the sorting hat), both of whom died in 2022.
Find the list of other Harry Potter stars who’ve died over the years:
Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy) in 2021
Verne Troyer (goblin Griphook) in 2018
John Hurt (Garrick Ollivander) in 2017
Alan Rickman (Professor Snape) in 2016
Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback) in 2014
Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley) in 2013
Timothy Bateson (voice of house elf Kreacher) in 2009
Robert Knox (Marcus Belby) in 2008
Richard Harris (the original Dumbledore) in 2002
What roles did Maggie Smith win Oscars for?
Over the course of her iconic, years-long film career, Maggie Smith earned an astounding six Oscar nominations, of which she won two.
Smith won her first Academy Award in 1969 for her lead role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She won her second nearly 10 years later in 1978 for her supporting role in California Suite.
She earned three other Best Supporting Actress nominations for her roles in Othello (1965), A Room with a View (1985) and Gosford Park (2001), as well as a second Best Lead Actress nod in 1972 for her performance in Travels with My Aunt.
Maggie Smith’s best Downton Abbey quotes
Maggie Smith once said of her role in Downton Abbey: “I am deeply grateful for the work… but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying. I didn’t really feel I was acting.”
Her character Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, became a fan-favourite thanks to her zingy lines in the period drama – and perhaps it was Smith’s affinity with the wise woman, and her own acerbic wit, that enabled her to deliver them so well.
In celebration of Downton Abbey’s 10th anniversary in 2020, The Independent’s Ellie Harrison compiled Smith’s best quotes from the show…
Read more:
The Dowager Countess of Grantham’s zingiest quotes, on everything from romance to class
Co-star Rob Lowe pays tribute to Dame Maggie as ‘lion’
American actor Rob Lowe, who appeared with Dame Maggie Smith in 1993 BBC drama Suddenly, Last Summer, described his late co-star as a “lion”.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.
“She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms Smith!”
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