‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ Stars Pay Tribute to Maggie Smith

Dame Maggie Smith’s co-stars are honoring the late star following the announcement of her death at age 89 on Friday morning.

Smith’s Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe was one of the first people to pay tribute to the legendary star of stage and screen. "Truly heartbreaking, she was one of the most talented women to ever live," Radcliffe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "She left an amazing legacy and she’ll always be remembered."

Prior to Harry Potter , Smith and Radcliffe worked together in a television adaptation of David Copperfield in which Radcliffe played the titular character as a child. Smith, who played his governess in the miniseries, was so impressed with Radcliffe’s performance and work ethic that she strenuously lobbied for him to be cast as Harry Potter. Obviously, her efforts were successful.

Rob Lowe , who starred with Smith in 1993’s Suddenly, Last Summer , also posted a tribute to the icon on X. "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 wrote. “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!"

Hughe Bonneville, who starred opposite Smith on Downton Abbey , told BBC , “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent. 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."

Fellow Downton Abbey actor Lesley Nicol told the outlet that the entire cast was distraught after hearing of Smith’s passing. "It's a very close group of people, so we're all devastated to think she's not around any more,” Nichol said.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes told Variety that Smith was “a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career.”

Whoopi Goldberg , with whom Smith headlined the Sister Act franchise, also posted a heartfelt statement on Instagram. “Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. 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.”

Sadly, Smith’s death comes not long after Goldberg issued a public plea for her to return for the upcoming Sister Act 3 . “I want to let Maggie Smith know that I’m holding the part of Mother Superior for you, because I just can’t do it with anybody but you,” Goldberg said in January 2023. said. “If you need me to come [to England] and shoot it and do whatever we have to do, we will do whatever you want us to do. Because we don’t want to do it without you, Maggie.”