Daniel Radcliffe, known for his role in Harry Potter, has honored his longtime co-star Dame Maggie Smith, reflecting on their decade-long collaboration.
On the morning of Friday, September 27, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, Smith’s sons, released a statement revealing that the esteemed actress had passed away 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.”
“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 continued.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter while Smith played Professor Minerva McGonagall, also shared his memories and condolences in a statement released today.
“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 mentioned 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!’”
He reminisced, “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.”
Radcliffe continued, “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.”
“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.”
Dame Maggie Smith’s illustrious career was marked by two Oscars, eight BAFTAs, and numerous stage accolades.
In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 and was awarded a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for her services to drama in 2014.