Daniel Radcliffe leads tributes to Dame Maggie Smith with poignant Harry Potter anecdote after film icon dies aged 89

HARRY Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to his co-star Dame Maggie Smith following her death aged 89.

Radcliffe described the actress as a “legend” in a heartfelt tribute on social media.

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Dame Maggie won over Harry Potter fans later in life when she appeared as the quick-witted, kind but formidable Professor McGonagall, sharing the screen with Radcliffe in seven of the eight instalments.

Her role began in 2001’s Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone and lasted a decade.

Paying tribute to her on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the Harry Potter actor said: “The first time I met Maggie Smith I was nine years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job.

“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.”

He 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.”

Harry Potter author JK Rowling also remembered the 89-year-old actress.

“Somehow I thought she’d live forever. RIP Dame Maggie Smith,” she wrote on X.

Another Harry Potter star, Bonnie Wright, who played Ron Weasley’s younger sister Ginny, described the impact of the loss of “our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house.”

In a post on Instagram, 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.”

Wright added that Dame Maggie would be “missed by the Harry Potter community”.

Downton Abbey stars have also paid their tributes to Dame Maggie Smith.

Maggie was also well-known for bringing her scathing wit to other roles, including as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.

Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital early this morning .

Following the news, tributes have started to pour in, with This Morning’s Gyles Brandreth posting: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.

“She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”

Actor and comedian Omid Djalili said: “We’ve lost one the best today. RIP Maggie Smith.”

It comes as…

• Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89
• Her last picture showed the actress posing for a fashion campaign
• Tributes have been paid to the star by fellow celebs
• Her long health battle with cancer has been revealed
• Dame Maggie spent the last two decades mourning her late husband
• Maggie spent her final days surrounded by her beloved sons

Hugh Bonneville, who starred in Downton Abbey with Maggie, said: “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.”

Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold posted: “In a watering hole when the news broke. ‘Oh no!’ echoed around the tables.

“The restaurant dimmed the lights, glasses were raised. RIP the inimitable Dame Maggie Smith.”

In a statement, a BAFTA spokesperson said: “We’re saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89.

“Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and BAFTA Fellowship during her highly acclaimed career.”

She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances

Hugh Bonneville

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, marked Maggie’s death by updating his Instagram profile picture to the late actress kissing him on the cheek.

Taking to X, Piers Morgan posted: “RIP Dame Maggie Smith. Magnificent actress, magnificent lady.

“As entertaining, sharp and witty off screen as she was off it. A very very sad loss for Britain.”

US actor Rob Lowe said: “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.

“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!”