Tributes Honoring the "True Legend" Dame Maggie Smith

 

Actress Maggie Smith died. Dame Maggie Smith, renowned for her roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has been celebrated as "a true legend" of acting after her passing at the age of 89.

Tributes have poured in from the King, the Prime Minister, and many of her co-stars throughout her illustrious career.

King Charles called her "a national treasure," while Sir Keir Starmer noted that she was "beloved by so many for her immense talent."

Daniel Radcliffe, her co-star in Harry Potter, fondly recalled her "fierce intellect" and "gloriously sharp tongue."

Miriam Margolyes described Dame Maggie Smith as "the best of the best," highlighting her unique blend of "ferocity, a glint of mischief, delight, and tenderness."

"And enormous courage. I've always been in awe of her, as have all her colleagues," Margolyes shared with BBC News. "I witnessed how kind she could be, alongside her absolutely terrifying presence."

Dame Maggie was renowned for her sharp wit both on and off the screen throughout her remarkable eight-decade career.

In the Harry Potter films, she portrayed the acerbic Professor Minerva McGonagall, known for her pointed hat and strict demeanor with the young wizards at Hogwarts.

Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute, saying, "She had a fierce intellect and a gloriously sharp tongue. She could intimidate and charm in the same moment and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with her and spent time with her on set. The word 'legend' is often overused, but it truly applies to her. Thank you, Maggie."

Emma Watson reflected on her time with Dame Maggie, noting that she didn't fully grasp the significance of sharing the screen with "a true definition of greatness" until she was older. In her Instagram post, she remembered Maggie as "real, honest, funny, and self-honoring," adding, "Maggie, there are a lot of male professors, and by God, you held your own."

In the acclaimed ITV drama *Downton Abbey*, Dame Maggie Smith portrayed Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham—a grand matriarch known for her biting one-liners throughout the show's six series.

Beyond her television success, she won two Oscars: one for *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* in 1970 and another for *California Suite* in 1979. She received four additional nominations and was awarded seven BAFTAs.

In a statement, the King and Queen said, "As we bid farewell to a national treasure, we join people around the world in remembering with admiration and affection her remarkable performances, along with the warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage."

The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment, declaring Dame Maggie a "true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come." Sir Keir Starmer added that she "introduced us to new worlds through the countless stories she brought to life over her long career."

Hugh Bonneville, who played the Earl of Grantham in *Downton Abbey*, remarked, “Anyone who shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, quick wit, and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation, and thankfully, her magnificent performances will live on."

"No One Quite Like Maggie"

Dame Maggie Smith reprised her role in both *Downton Abbey* films, and in *Downton Abbey: A New Era* (2022), her character passed away from the illness hinted at in the previous film.

Co-star Dame Harriet Walter shared on BBC Radio 4's *PM* program that Maggie excelled in both comedy and drama. "She was a true comedian, but I've also seen her deliver incredibly heartfelt and poignant performances, showcasing the vast range of her talent," she noted. "If she were just funny or just tragic, she wouldn’t have made such an impact."

Michelle Dockery, who portrayed her on-screen granddaughter, Lady Mary Crawley, expressed to the BBC, "There was no one quite like Maggie. I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed, and my thoughts are with her family."

Lesley Nicol, who played Mrs. Patmore, the cook in *Downton Abbey*, told BBC Radio Ulster, "We’re a very close-knit group, and we’re all devastated at the thought of her not being around anymore."

Julian Fellowes, the creator and writer of *Downton Abbey*, reflected on her talent in an interview with *Variety*, saying she was "a joy to write for—subtle, multi-layered, intelligent, funny, and heart-breaking."

Dame Maggie’s success in *Downton Abbey* followed her acclaimed performance in the 2002 film *Gosford Park*, which earned her both Oscar and BAFTA nominations for her role as the Dowager Countess of Trentham.

Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, who starred alongside Dame Maggie in *Gosford Park*, remarked that Maggie "took acting very seriously but saw through the nonsense and razzmatazz." 

"She really didn’t want to deal with that," Dame Kristin continued. "Her sense of humor and wit could leave me in a fit of giggles, and she had no patience for fools—so you had to be a bit cautious around her. I absolutely adored her."

Reflecting on their last encounter, she recalled Maggie expressing her frustration with aging: "She said it was 'maddening.' She was much loved, much admired, and truly irreplaceable."

A spokesperson for the National Theatre also paid tribute, stating that her career "spanned the theatrical, film, and television worlds without equal." The statement praised her stage performances, noting, "She will forever be remembered as one of the greatest actors this country has had the inestimable pleasure of witnessing."

BAFTA added that she was a "legend of British stage and screen."

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, announced the news of Dame Maggie’s passing "with great sadness" on Friday, stating that she "passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning."

They shared, "An intensely private person, she was surrounded by friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five beloved grandchildren who are heartbroken by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."

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

The family also thanked everyone for their kind messages and support, requesting that their privacy be respected during this time.

Dame Maggie Smith began her illustrious career in the 1950s, receiving her first Oscar nomination in 1965 for her role as Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier in Shakespeare’s *Othello*.

Her memorable performances included the 1985 Merchant Ivory film *A Room With a View*, which garnered her another Oscar nomination and a BAFTA award. She also starred in *Tea with Mussolini* (1999) as an Englishwoman living in 1930s Italy and portrayed the firm yet loving Reverend Mother in the *Sister Act* films.

Whoopi Goldberg, her co-star in *Sister Act*, described Dame Maggie as "a great woman and a brilliant actress," adding, "I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with someone so 'one-of-a-kind.'"

Rob Lowe, who appeared alongside her in the 1993 film *Suddenly, Last Summer*, recalled the "unforgettable experience" of working with her. "Sharing a scene with her was like being paired with a lion," he said. "She could devour anyone alive—and often did. But she was also funny and great company, with no patience for fools. We will never see another like her. Godspeed, Ms. Smith!"

Dame Maggie also portrayed the elderly woman who lived in a van outside Alan Bennett's home in the 2015 film adaptation of *The Lady in the Van*. Alex Jennings, who played Bennett, told Radio 4 that she was "fearless" and praised her "brilliant technical abilities as an actress."