Daniel Radcliffe pays tribute to Harry Potter co-star Maggie Smith as actor dies aged 89
Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Maggie Smith, who died today aged 89.
The actor, who played Professor McGonagall for ten years alongside Radcliffe, was also well known for her roles in Sister Act and Downton Abbey.
Prior to starring together in Harry Potter, Radcliffe worked alongside Smith on 1999's David Copperfield when he was 9 years old - and according to the Kill Your Darlings star in 2017, it was Smith who'd recommended him for the role of the boy wizard.
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His statement via Variety read: "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.
“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 went on to say: "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.”
Tributes have poured in for the late great actor, whose death was announced via a statement by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.
They said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
"She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
Radcliffe wasn't the only Harry Potter star to pay tribute to Smith.
Bonne Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the movie franchise, wrote on social media: "You will be so missed by the Harry Potter community. My favorite 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."
Topics: Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter, TV and Film, Film, Celebrity
Michael Slavin