Daniel Radcliffe, the beloved star of the Harry Potter series, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his co-star, Dame Maggie Smith. The esteemed British actress, known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the magical franchise, passed away on Friday at the age of 89 following long-standing health complications.
Radcliffe, now 35, shared his heartfelt memories of Smith, recalling their first meeting when he was just nine years old. Speaking to Page Six, he reflected on the moment they met during a reading for David Copperfield, his first acting role. “The first time I met Maggie Smith, I didn’t know who she was,” Radcliffe admitted. “But my parents were in awe that I’d be working with her.”
In a candid reflection, Radcliffe recounted a humorous exchange with the revered actress. “I knew she was a Dame, so I asked, ‘Would you like me to call you Dame?’ She laughed and said, ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’”
Radcliffe fondly remembered how Smith’s warmth and humor immediately set him at ease, despite his initial nervousness. “She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and I was fortunate to work with her for another decade on the Harry Potter films,” he said. Describing her as a woman of “fierce intellect” and a “gloriously sharp tongue,” Radcliffe added, “She could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.”
Radcliffe expressed his gratitude for the time he spent with Smith, both on set and off. “I will always consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked with her. The word ‘legend’ is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, it applies to her. Thank you, Maggie.”
Smith, whose career spanned more than six decades, captivated audiences worldwide with her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. Her family confirmed that she passed away “peacefully in hospital,” though the exact cause of death remains undisclosed.
Smith is survived by her two sons, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, and five grandchildren. In a statement, her sons expressed their devastation over the loss of their “extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
Smith’s illustrious career included roles in Downton Abbey, for which she won three Emmy Awards, two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and one Tony Award. She was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990.