Key members of theHarry Pottercast 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). OutsidetheHarry Potterfranchise, Smith earned two Academy Awards for an incredible career that saw her star inDownton Abbey,My House in Umbria, andThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969). Shepassed away on September 27 at 89 years old.
Major cast members havetaken 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.
Watsonexplained that she never truly understood Smith’s influence on the industry when she was young, but eventually comprehended it in recent years. She expressed hereternal respect for Smith’s ability to stand out in a male-dominated castand her constant source of strength.
Grintexplained 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 PotterstarDaniel 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, whileHarry Potterfans have shared tributes, including attendees raising their wands at Hogwarts in Universal Studios Orlando.
Maggie Smith’s 15 Best Movies, Ranked
Maggie Smith has made a big impact in film, appearing in some of the best movies over the decades, including Gosford Park and Harry Potter.
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 theWizarding World ofHarry Potteris 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 firstHarry Potterstar 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.
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Harry Potter
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Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
