Maggie Smith remembered by Daniel Radcliffe, Whoopi Goldberg and more

Hollywood is mourning the award-winning British actress.

Maggie Smith remembered by Daniel Radcliffe, Whoopi Goldberg and more
Scott Myers/Shutterstock, FILE
September 27, 2024, 2:50 PM

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.

Maggie Smith attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House, Feb. 14, 2016, in London.
Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Smith 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."

Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith at the "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" film premiere in London on Nov. 6, 2005.
Scott Myers/Shutterstock, FILE

"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."

Maggie Smith and Whoopi Goldberg in "Sister Act."
Moviestore/Shutterstock

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."

The cast of "Downton Abbey" is pictured in this undated photo.
Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited for Masterpiece

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."