Key members of the Harry Potter cast are offering their tributes to Dame Maggie Smith after she recently passed away. Smith starred in the franchise as Professor McGonagall, who relatively had many screen moments with the main trio: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint). Outside the Harry Potter franchise, Smith earned two Academy Awards for an incredible career that saw her star in Downton Abbey, My House in Umbria, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969). She passed away on September 27 at 89 years old.
Major cast members have taken to Instagram to celebrate her life with heartfelt reactions. Check out some of their responses below:
Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy, paid his respect to Smith, even sharing a story about her influence on him. When he was nearly kicked off the set for giggling during her character's class, the Oscar winner defended him and ensured he would remain in the cast. Felton asked supporters to "raise your wands," which was a touching tribute from the franchise that honored the loss of Dumbledore and other great figures.
Watson explained that she never truly understood Smith's influence on the industry when she was young, but eventually comprehended it in recent years. She expressed her eternal respect for Smith's ability to stand out in a male-dominated cast and her constant source of strength.
Grint explained that he is "heartbroken" but "incredibly lucky" to have worked alongside Smith during his career. He expressed his love for her family along the way.
The Cast Has Shared Universal Love For Maggie Smith
Harry Potter Stars Aren't The Only Ones Praising Smith
Smith's death has generated endless praise from her contemporary stars. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe shared his respects, describing her as "incredibly kind," "gloriously sharp," and "extremely funny." He explained how lucky he was to have spent ten years working with her at such a young age. Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout) described that she was in "awe of her" throughout the shoots. More cast members are slowly putting out public statements, while Harry Potter fans have shared tributes, including attendees raising their wands at Hogwarts in Universal Studios Orlando.
The rest of Smith's career has also generated tributes from other famous figures. King Charles and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared their condolences. Her co-stars, including Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), have been sharing heartbreak at the news while also sharing their stories with Smith on set. This is a testament to Smith's incredible career in both television and movies.
Our Take On Maggie Smith's Legacy
It's Important To Honor Smith's Incredible Career.
Smith's influence on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is immense, but her entire career was groundbreaking. She earned Oscars, Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, which earned her the vaunted Triple Crown of Acting. Queen Elizabeth named her a Dame in 1990, and she went on to continue that illustrious career for 35 years. Smith is not the first Harry Potter star to pass away, as Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Snape), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), and many more have already gone. Still, Smith's passing is a major loss felt by many people.
Source: Various (see above)
