Dame Maggie Smith’s death was announced this morning by her family
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to his ‘fierce’ costar of 10 years Dame Maggie Smith.
On Friday (September 27) morning, Smith’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin issued a statement announcing that the two-time Oscar winner had died at the age of 89.
“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” they wrote. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th 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.
The Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star passed away at 89. (Warner Bros.)
“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,” they added.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter alongside Smith’s Professor Minerva McGonagall in the widely beloved franchise, released a statement today paying tribute to the legendary actor.
“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.” Radcliffe said in his statement via Variety.
“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!’
The Harry Potter star wrote an emotional tribute (Warner Bros.)
“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.”
“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.”
Smith was a powerhouse in the acting industry, winning two Oscars, eight BAFTAs, and numerous stage accolades.
She was made a Dame by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for her contributions to the Arts, and was awarded a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honor for her services to drama in 2014.
Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros.
