Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away today (September 27) at the age of 89.
The news was confirmed by her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. In a statement they said that Smith “passed away peacefully” in the early hours of this morning.
Radcliffe starred in the titular role for all eight Harry Potter movies, while Smith appeared as Professor McGonagall in every instalment except for The Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
In a tribute shared by Variety, Radcliffe, who also starred alongside Smith in David Copperfield, recalled the first time they met.
“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,” he wrote. “I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her.
“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 continued: “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,” Radcliffe added. “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.”
Fellow Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasly in all eight of the films, also paid tribute on social media, writing: “Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house you will be so missed by the Harry Potter community.
“My favourite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball. She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie’s family at this time.”
Dame Maggie Smith made her stage debut in 1956 and went on to win Oscars for her roles in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and California Suite (1978). She also starred in the likes of Hook, Death On The Nile and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Smith won three Emmys for her portrayal of Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. She was made a Dame in 1990 for her services to the performing arts and is one of only a handful of people to have won a Triple Crown Of Acting – An Emmy, Tony and Oscar.