Tributes to ‘Legend’ Dame Maggie Smith

Dame Maggie Smith, famous for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at 89.

Maggie Smith Biography

Name	Maggie Smith
Born	December 28, 1934
Death	September 27, 2024 (age 89 years)
Net worth	$20 million
Country	British

Many, including the King and prime minister, have honored her as a “true legend” of stage and screen.

King Charles called her “a national treasure,” and Sir Keir Starmer said she was loved by many for her talent.

Daniel Radcliffe remembered her for her “fierce intellect” and “sharp wit.”

Miriam Margolyes called her “the best of the best,” saying she mixed “strength, mischief, joy, and kindness.”

“She also had great courage. I’ve always admired her, like all her colleagues,” Margolyes told BBC News.

“I saw how kind she could be – but also really scary!”

Dame Maggie Smith was famous for her sharp wit both on and off screen. Her career spanned 80 years, and she played memorable roles like Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, known for her stern yet iconic look.

Daniel Radcliffe praised her as highly intelligent, funny, and able to charm and intimidate at the same time. He said he felt incredibly lucky to have worked with her, calling her a true legend.

Emma Watson reflected on how she didn’t fully grasp Maggie’s greatness until she grew older. She admired her for being real, funny, and strong, even among male professors.

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said he felt lucky to have shared both the set and a dance with her.

Dame Maggie Smith played Violet Crawley, the sharp-tongued matriarch, in the hit show Downton Abbey. She became famous for her witty one-liners throughout the six seasons.

Beyond Downton Abbey, she won two Oscars – one in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and another in 1979 for California Suite. She had four other Oscar nominations and won seven Bafta awards.

In a tribute, the King and Queen praised her warmth, wit, and incredible performances. The prime minister called her a “national treasure,” and Sir Keir admired how she introduced new worlds through her roles.

Hugh Bonneville, her Downton Abbey co-star, remembered her for her sharp wit, talent, and legendary performances.

‘No-one quite like Maggie’

Dame Maggie Smith played her role again in the two Downton Abbey films. In the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era, her character passed away due to an illness revealed in the 2019 movie.

Her co-star Dame Harriet Walter told BBC Radio that Maggie was great at both comedy and serious roles. She said Maggie could be both funny and deeply emotional, showing her wide range as an actress.

Michelle Dockery, who played her on-screen granddaughter, said there was no one like Maggie and that she felt lucky to know her. Maggie will be greatly missed.

Lesley Nicol, another co-star, said their cast was very close, and they are all heartbroken over Maggie’s passing.

Julian Fellowes, the show’s creator, said she was a joy to write for, as her performances were intelligent, layered, funny, and emotional.

Before Downton Abbey, Maggie earned Oscar and Bafta nominations for her role in the 2002 film Gosford Park.

Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, who acted with Dame Maggie in Gosford Park, said Maggie was serious about acting but didn’t care for all the showbiz fuss. She added that Maggie had a sharp sense of humor that could make her laugh uncontrollably, but she didn’t tolerate foolishness.

Kristin recalled that the last time they met, Maggie was frustrated about getting old and called it “maddening.” She described Maggie as much loved, admired, and irreplaceable.

Actor Simon Callow, who worked with Maggie in A Room with a View, said she was a brilliant comedian with deep insight into her characters. He called working with her a “miracle.”

The National Theatre praised her career in theater, film, and TV, calling her one of the greatest actors in the country’s history. Bafta also described her as a “legend of British stage and screen.”

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, announced her death on Friday, saying she passed away peacefully in the hospital early that morning.

They shared that she was a very private person and was surrounded by close friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren, all heartbroken by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother.

They also expressed gratitude to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during her final days.

The family thanked everyone for their kind messages and asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Dame Maggie Smith began her acting career in the 1950s. She was first nominated for an Oscar in 1965 for her role as Desdemona in Othello with Laurence Olivier.

Some of her standout roles include the 1985 film A Room With a View, which earned her another Oscar nomination, and Tea with Mussolini in 1999, where she played an Englishwoman in 1930s Italy. She was also known for her role as Reverend Mother in Sister Act.

Whoopi Goldberg, her Sister Act co-star, called her “a great woman and brilliant actress,” while Rob Lowe, who worked with her in Suddenly, Last Summer, described her as “unforgettable” and compared her presence to that of a lion.

Maggie also starred in The Lady in the Van, playing a woman who lived in a van for 15 years. Actor Alex Jennings praised her fearlessness and technical brilliance.

Conclusion

Dame Maggie Smith, celebrated for her incredible talent and unforgettable roles, has left a lasting impact on the world of film and theater. Her co-stars and fellow actors remember her as a brilliant, fearless actress and a unique presence on screen. Her legacy as a true legend in acting will be cherished for years to come.

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