Harry Potter Stars React to Maggie Smith’s Death: Read Cast Tributes

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and many members of Harry Potter the actors mourn the costar Dame Maggie Smithwho died at the age of 89 on Friday, September 27.

While audiences remember Radcliffe, now 35, as The Boy Who Lived and Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the eight-film series, the actor reminded fans that he actually met Smith on the set of the 1999 BBC miniseries. David Copperfield.

“When I first met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading scenes David Copperfieldwhich was my first job,” said Radcliffe in a statement Us Weekly on Friday. “I don’t know anything about him except that my parents were surprised that I would work with him. The other thing I knew about him was that he was a Dame, so the first thing I asked him when we met was, ‘Would you like me to call you Dame?’ when he laughs and says something like ‘don’t be ridiculous!’”

Radcliffe continued: “I remember feeling nervous about meeting him and then he immediately put me at ease. He was incredibly kind to me in that film, and then I was lucky enough to continue working with him for another 10 years Harry Potter films. He was brilliant, brilliantly sharp-tongued, simultaneously terrifying and endearing and, as anyone will tell you, extremely funny. I will always consider myself incredibly lucky to have been able to work with him, and spend time around him on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it does. Thank you Maggie.”

The Tony Award winner played Harry Potter in all eight films from 2001 to 2011 opposite Smith, and said Downton Abbey The actress was the reason for her to hit the iconic role.

“Maggie was someone, like her, who was recommended to me A potterthat’s why I ended up doing that,” he said when he appeared in 2021 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “I met him when I was 9 years old for the first time. I didn’t know who he was. My parents were like, ‘Oh, my God, you’re working with Maggie Smith, that’s great.’ But I was not like a Jean Brodie’s Prime Minister fan, so I didn’t know who that was!”

Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Stars: Where Are They Now?

Over the course of 10 years, the stars of Harry Potter brought magic, mischief and more to millions of fans around the world. Based on a series of seven books by JK Rowling, stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint captured the hearts of viewers between 2001 and 2011 as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger. […]

Many other Hogwarts alums have sent tributes to Smith amid news of his passing. Scroll down for more reactions from Harry Potter team members:

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)

“When I was little I didn’t know about the legend of Maggie – the woman I was lucky enough to share space with,” Watson shared on an Instagram Story on Friday alongside a photo of her and Smith on the show’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. “It wasn’t until I got older that I realized that I was sharing the screen with the true meaning of greatness. He was real, honest, funny and self-respecting. Maggie, there were many male professors and by God she restrained herself. Thank you for all your kindness. I will miss you.”

Gary Oldman (Sirius Black)

“Maggie Smith, one of the real greats and him [Laurence] Olivier and [John] Gielgud … those who saw his amazing talent on stage said they will never forget him,” the Oscar winner said in a statement. Entertainment Weekly. “His beautiful film performances will still be seen and enjoyed by all people. Such an artist comes from every other generation. If one is lucky.”

Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)

“Our beloved and respected head of Gryffindor house ❤️,” Wright captioned a photo of Smith via Instagram on Friday. “She will be greatly missed by the Harry Potter community. My favorite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance at the Yule Ball. She had that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept the Gryffindors on their toes. My heart goes out to Maggie’s family at this time.”

James Phelps (Fred Weasley)

“It is very sad to hear this news today,” the Harry Potter: The Wizard’s Baking the manager wrote on Instagram Story. “It was an honor to be on the same set as Dame Maggie Smith. In HP, he was always welcoming, funny and showed how to act not only on the set, but also. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Devon Murray (Seamus Finnegan)

“Saddened to hear of the passing of ‘Miss’ Maggie Smith,” Murray wrote on Instagram. “Maggie was the scariest person I’ve ever met but once she broke down she was the kindest, most caring and loving lady I’ve ever met.”

He continued, “I have many fond memories with Maggie. From getting drunk while waiting for Fax in the hotel lobby to getting the best hugs and hugs in the world to even Maggie trying to keep a straight face while shooting a scene while the monkey kept masturbating as soon as he spoke 😂 We shared so many great moments together that I will cherish.”

Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley)

“Not many people in the world were as talented, sharp-tongued, funny, kind or scary as Maggie Smith,” Rankin shared on social media. “I’m really lucky to share a film set with him. They don’t act like that anymore.”

Afshan Azad (Padma Patil)

“A legend. An icon. It’s a great honor to share the same room as you don’t talk through the screen anymore,” Azad said via Instagram Story. “There won’t be another one. Thoughts and love go out to all friends and family and the entire Potter family. 🕊️ RIP.”