Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson andHarry PotterCostars Pay Tribute to 'Legend' Maggie Smith: 'A Gloriously Sharp Tongue'

Mar. 15, 2025

Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith in 2007’s ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’.Photo:Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Daniel Radcliffeand hisHarry Pottercostars are rememberingMaggie Smith, and honoring her magical portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster franchise.

Radcliffe, who played the titular Potter in the eight-film series, remembered the late actress as “a fierce intellect” and “legend” in statement shared withVariety.

“The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes forDavid 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 recalled. “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,” he added. “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 theHarry Potterfilms.”

Radcliffe, 35, added that Smith “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,” he concluded. “The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”

Maggie Smith in 2005’s ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy Stock Photo

TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy Stock Photo

Emma Watson, who played fellow Hogwarts' student Hermione Granger, posted a tribute to Smith onInstagram Stories.

“When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend — the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with,” the actress, 34, wrote below a behind-the-scenes photo of Smith embracing her face. “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.”

Emma Watson and Maggie Smith in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’.Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.

Rupert Grint, who played the role of Ron Weasley in the movies, posteda tributeto the late actress on Instagram on Saturday, Sept. 28, writing of how “hilarious” and “kind” she was.

“Heartbroken to hear about Maggie. She was so special, always hilarious and always kind,” Grint, 36, wrote alongside a photograph of the two dancing in character on set.

Grint’s costar in the movies,Tom Felton, who played Slytherin Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, also shared his sadness at Smith’s death on Sept. 28, thanking her for her support during the movies and recalling a funny memory from the set.

“Deeply saddened to wake up to the news of Maggie’s passing. There quite simply was no one like her,” he wrote ina poston Instagram.

Felton, 37, continued, “Thank you for looking after us from literally day one. Thank you for not getting me kicked off the set when I couldn’t stop giggling during your transfiguration class. Thank you for showing us the way. Raise your wands x”

Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe on set of 2001’s ‘The Sorcerer’s Stone’.Everett

Everett

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the franchise, dedicated an Instagram post to Smith on Friday,in which she rememberedthePotterstar as the “dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house.”

According tocastmate Devon Murray, beyond her work portraying the beloved Hogwarts professor for a decade, Smith was “the kindest, most caring and loving lady” he’d “ever met,” while also being “the most intimidating.”

“We’ve shared so many great moments together that I will treasure. #ripmaggie,” Murray, 35, who played Gryffindor student Seamus Finnigan, said on Instagram.

Maggie Smith in 2004’s ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.Everett

Some of Murray’s fellow Hogwarts peers shared their own tributes as well.Josh Herdman, who portrayed Gregory Goyle, uploaded a sweet “RIP” on his Instagram Stories, whileAfshan Azad, who portrayed Padma Patil, remembered Smith as a “legend” and “icon.”

“An absolute honour to have shared the same room as you let alone screen,” Azad wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside an image of Smith she reposted.

“There’ll be no other,” she added. “Thoughts and love go to all her friends and family and all the potter family🕊️. RIP.”

The beloved actress took on the role of McGonagall starting with 2001’sHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneand reprised the role for the remainder of the film series, wrapping withHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2in 2011.

source: people.com