The death of Dame Maggie Smith is one that obviously echoed through many lives, both of her many fans and colleagues who have worked with her across one of the most illustrious careers in the industry. It is therefore not surprising that many stars joined fans in celebrating the life of the actress, as well as reflecting on the sad loss her passing has brought with it.
Being part of the Harry Potter franchise meant that many tributes paid to the actress could not fail to mention her performance as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the fantasy saga, with the Wizarding World paying their own personal tribute and acknowledging the sad fact that her death came exactly one year after the passing of Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon. Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling also shared her own tribute.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe shared his memories in a statement reported by the BBC, saying:
“The first time I met Maggie Smith I was nine 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. 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 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.
Stars of Downton Abbey Remember Maggie Smith
These stood alongside memories shared by her Downton Abbeyco-stars, a franchise she also became synonymous with for her role as the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Having starred in both big and small screen versions of the popular British period drama, the loss felt by many was once again clear to see in the outpouring of love shown to the star. Hugh Bonneville, who starred alongside Dame Maggie in the ITV drama, remembered her as a “true legend of her generation.” Speaking to the BBC, he added, “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.”
Among the other Downton stars paying tribute, Michelle Dockery, who played Lady Mary Crawley, “There was no one quite like Maggie.
“I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed and my thoughts are with her family.” Meanwhile, Lesley Nicol said, “We were part of the Downton family for 14 years. It’s a very close group of people so we’re all devastated to think she’s not around anymore. She was not looking for anyone to be scared of her, or in awe of her, she just wanted to be in the gang.”
Downton Abbey creator and writer Julian Fellowes said in a statement to Variety magazine: “Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career. She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny and heart-breaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I will never forget her.”
Whoopi Goldberg, King Charles III & More Remember Maggie Smith
Of course, Maggie Smith was much more than just the sum of her two franchise roles. As a winner of multiple Oscars, Emmys, BAFTAs, Tonys and more, her career was exemplary and a constant inspiration to others entering the industry and working with her. Among the many others sharing tributes was West Wing star Rob Lowe, who 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.”
Whoopi Goldberg, who starred alongside Smith in two Sister Act movies and desperatedly wanted to make a third, shared her tribute on Instagram, saying, “Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with the “one-of-a-kind”. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family…RIP.”
You also have to be a certain kind of national treasure to get a personal message of condolence from royalty, and Smith was certainly that. For this reason, one of the many messages shared online came from King Charles III, who joined many others in remembering one of the industry’s greats. You can see this and just a few of the other tributes paid to Maggie Smith below.