Daniel Radcliffe Pays Tribute to Maggie Smith: ‘Harry Potter’ Co-Star Was ‘A Fierce Intellect’ With a ‘Gloriously Sharp Tongue’

As a devoted cinema enthusiast who has witnessed the magic of celluloid unfold over the decades, I find myself deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Dame Maggie Smith. Her illustrious career spanned generations, and her indelible mark on cinema is undeniable.


I’m reminiscing about the late Maggie Smith, who graced our screens as the formidable Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. As a fellow cast member of this enchanting series, it’s heartbreaking to see her go at 89 years old. Although I wasn’t present for every film, her wit and wisdom as head of Gryffindor House and deputy headmistress at Hogwarts under Dumbledore left an indelible mark on the magical world we brought to life.

The first time I encountered Maggie Smith was when I was nine years old; we were both rehearsing for ‘David Copperfield,’ my inaugural role. Apart from knowing that my parents were starstruck over her, I had little insight into her persona. What I did know was that she held the title of Dame, so my initial question to her upon meeting was if I should address her as such. She found this amusing and playfully told me not to be so absurd. Meeting her initially made me jittery, but she swiftly put me at ease. During that shoot, she showed nothing but kindness towards me. Subsequently, I had the fortune of collaborating with her for another decade on the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

Indeed, she was a formidable mind, wielding a brilliantly sharp wit that could leave one both awestruck and amused within the blink of an eye. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to collaborate with her on set, as well as share moments with her. While the term ‘legend’ is often tossed about carelessly, if it applies to anyone in our field, it certainly applies to Maggie. Thank you, Maggie.

Smith made her debut in the “Harry Potter” series with the 2001 film “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” and she played the role for ten years. Her portrayal of Minerva McGonagall transformed this character into one of the franchise’s most cherished secondary characters, and as a result, Smith became a familiar figure to many young movie fans.

Maggie Smith, Dame Maggie Smith, has passed away at a hospital early on Friday, 27th September. Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larki, confirmed her death with a heartfelt statement saying: “With immense sadness, we share the news of Dame Maggie Smith’s passing. She departed peacefully surrounded by friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five adoring grandchildren who are deeply saddened by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother.

Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasley in the “Harry Potter” series alongside Daniel Radcliffe and others, similarly expressed her grief on social media over Smith’s passing. In her post, she recalled: “The Harry Potter community will deeply miss you, Maggie. I particularly cherish the scene where we all learned to dance for the Yule Ball – it was there that Maggie brilliantly portrayed McGonagall’s unique blend of spunk and tender affection. She always kept Gryffindor house on its toes. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Maggie’s family during this difficult time.

Throughout her distinguished career, Smith earned two Oscars, three Emmys, and numerous stage awards. She leaves behind two sons and some grandchildren.

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2024-09-27 21:50