MANILA, Philippines — Stars from the “Harry Potter” series have come together to pay tribute to Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic actress who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the beloved film franchise.
Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her peaceful passing at the age of 89 in a hospital.
A highly decorated actress, Smith was one of the rare talents to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, with two Oscars, multiple Emmys, a Tony, and six Olivier Award nominations, solidifying her as a major presence on both screen and stage.
The official social media accounts of the “Harry Potter” series shared a heartfelt message alongside an image of Smith as McGonagall, calling her a “shining force” whose wit and strong presence as the Head of Gryffindor kept Hogwarts safe.
Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter, shared memories of his first encounter with Smith during the 1999 BBC adaptation of “David Copperfield,” where he made his acting debut.
Although he was initially unaware of her stature, his parents were in awe. Radcliffe recalled how nervous he was to meet her, but Smith quickly made him feel at ease.
He described her as having “a fierce intellect, a sharp tongue,” and the ability to “intimidate and charm at the same time.”
Radcliffe added, “I was incredibly fortunate to work with her for over 10 years. The word ‘legend’ is often used, but if anyone truly embodies it, it was Maggie.”
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, shared similar sentiments. In an Instagram story, Watson admitted she didn’t fully grasp Smith’s legendary status during their time on set, but grew to understand and admire it as she matured.
“She was real, honest, funny, and held her own among all the male professors. Maggie, thank you for your kindness. I’ll miss you,” Watson said.
Gary Oldman, another Oscar winner from the “Harry Potter” cast, compared Smith to acting greats like Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud, praising her “dazzling talent” that captivated audiences on stage and screen.
Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasley, fondly recalled a scene from the fourth film, “Goblet of Fire,” where McGonagall taught them to dance for the Yule Ball.
Wright noted that Smith “perfectly embodied the balance of sass and loving care” that defined her character.
Several other co-stars, including James Phelps, Chris Rankin, Devon Murray, Josh Herdman, Afshan Azad, and Anna Shaffer, also shared heartfelt tributes.
Beyond the wizarding world, Smith was remembered by peers from other projects, such as “Sister Act” co-star Whoopi Goldberg, Oscar winner Viola Davis, and actors George Takei, Mia Farrow, Ming-Na Wen, Cary Elwes, and Rob Lowe.