U.S. actor Rob Lowe, who appeared alongside Smith in Suddenly, Last Summer (1989), was one of the first to take to social media in her memory, recalling the actress as a formidable figure.
“Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion,” he said in a post on X.
“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!”
Whoopi Goldberg, who co-starred alongside Smith in Sister Act , shared a picture of them together in the film on her Instagram account and said she felt “lucky” to have worked with actress.
Out of the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been in the U.S. for the U.N. meeting in New York, followed by a dinner hosted by Donald Trump – described Smith as “a true national treasure”.
“Dame Maggie Smith introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career,” he wrote.
“She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
Piers Morgan described Smith’s death as “a very, very sad loss for Britain”.
The UK’s Bafta Academy also paid tribute, recalling Smith’s five Baftas across her career as well as her honorary awards.
While there was much focus on Smith’s latter roles in Harry Potte r and Downtown Abbey , U.S. podcaster Christina Grace fondly posted a clip of the actress earlier on in her career, which will appeal to fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
News of Smith’s death also dominated Friday afternoon headlines in Europe, with personal tributes trending on social media.
“Witches, wizards, raise your wands in honor of the actress Maggie Smith, who sadly has just left us,” wrote Paris’ landmark Grand Rex Cinema, which by chance is holding a Harry Potter marathon screening event this weekend.
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