Wands across the world has been raised to pay tribute to actor Maggie Smith, who passed away on Friday after a long illness. The actor is best known for her role as Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. She played the iconic sassy and caring Hogwarts professor between 2001 and 2011 in every installment apart from Deathly Hallows Part 1.
The whole cast of Harry Potter came together to pen their grief following her death. Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the titular Harry Potter wrote on the first time she met the actor and his time on the sets with her.
“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. I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her,” Radcliffe said in a statement. “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 added, “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,” Radcliffe added. “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.”
Emma Watson, who played Hermoine Granger in the series, shared an emotional note on her social media handles. She wrote, “When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend – the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with. It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness. She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God, you held your own. Thank you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you (sic).”
Bonnie Wright aka Ginny Weasly too paid her tribute and pointed out that her favourite scene with Maggie was when they were all learning to dance at the Yule Ball. She wrote, “Our dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house you will be so missed by the Harry Potter community. 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."
Author JK Rowling, whose books were the base of the Harry Potter movie series, said, "Somehow I thought she'd live forever. RIP Dame Maggie Smith."