Daniel Radcliffe and Whoopi Goldberg are among those mourning the death of beloved British actress Maggie Smith this week.
The lauded actress, a Shakespeare veteran who was best known later in her career for memorable turns in the "Harry Potter" film franchise and the television series "Downton Abbey," died Friday at age 89.
Dame Maggie Smith, venerable British actress, dies at 89Smith won numerous awards throughout her life, including two Oscars, four Emmys and a Tony, but she also won over the hearts of fellow actors and audiences around the world.
Continue reading to see how Smith is being remembered in tributes.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character in the "Harry Potter" movie series, shared a statement reflecting on the first time he met Smith when he was a young actor.
"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," he began. "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!' 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."
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg, who starred with Smith in 1992's "Sister Act" and 1993's "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," shared a still of them together from the musical films on Instagram.
"Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress," she wrote. "I still can't believe I was lucky enough to work with the 'one-of-a-kind.' My heartfelt condolences go out to the family….RIP."
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe, Smith's co-star in "Suddenly, Last Summer," called her "a lion."
"Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed," Lowe wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!"
Michelle Dockery
Smith's "Downton Abbey" co-star Michelle Dockery called the actress "a maverick" in a statement.
"There was no one quite like Maggie," she said. "I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed and my thoughts are with her family."
Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville, another of Smith's "Downton Abbey" castmates, shared a statement praising the actress's "sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent."
"Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent," he said. "She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family."
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the "Harry Potter" films, shared a heartfelt tribute to Instagram recalling her favorite scene with Smith.
"Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house ❤️ you will be so missed by the Harry Potter community," she wrote. "My favourite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball. She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie's family at this time."
King Charles III
King Charles III shared a statement on behalf of himself and Queen Camila on Friday, saying, "My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage."
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" series, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a picture of himself and Smith.
"Heartbroken to hear about Maggie. She was so special, always hilarious and always kind. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared a set with her and particularly lucky to have shared a dance. I’ll miss you Maggie. Sending all my love to her family. Rupert x."
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney shared an Instagram post stating that he first met Smith in the 1960s and that she "was a great person with a wicked sense of humor."
"It is so sad to hear that Dame Maggie Smith, the great actress, has died. She was a great person with a wicked sense of humour whom over the years it has been my pleasure to know.
I first met her in the 1960s and had the occasional dinner with her so I knew her personality was irreverent and fun loving from the beginning. As an actress she appeared in many plays, films and television productions which earned her the respect amongst her fellow actors and world at large. She will be missed but remembered with great fondness and love."
Emma Watson
Another of Smith's "Harry Potter" co-stars, Emma Watson, shared her tribute on Saturday via Instagram stories.
"When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie's legend — the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with," the actress, 34, wrote below a behind-the-scenes photo of Smith embracing her face. "It is only as I've become an adult that I've come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness."