Maggie Smith has been remembered by her former co-stars and described as ‘sensible, witty, waspish, fantastic’ in tributes after her demise on Friday.
Celebrities have taken to social media to share their recollections of the Oscar-winning actress died in hospital Friday morning aged 89, her sons revealed in an announcement.
The British star was identified for distinguished roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall within the Harry Potter franchise and as Violet Crawley in TV sequence Downton Abbey, in addition to her Academy Award-winning efficiency in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
Paying tribute to his former co-star, Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint up to date his Instagram profile image to a candy throwback of the pair.
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville – who performed her son within the present – additionally paid tribute.
Dame Maggie Smith has been hailed as ‘sensible, witty, waspish, fantastic’ as celebrities pay tribute after her demise (pictured in 2015)
Paying tribute to his former co-star, Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint up to date his Instagram profile image to a candy throwback of the pair
Dame Maggie starred as Professor Minerva McGonagall within the Harry Potter franchise whereas Rupert performed Ron Weasley (pictured at a premiere in 2009)
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville additionally paid tribute, saying: ‘Anybody who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable expertise’
He informed the BBC: ‘Anybody who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable expertise.
‘She was a real legend of her era and fortunately will stay on in so many magnificent display screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider household.’
Dan Stevens – who performed Matthew Crawley within the interval drama – paid tribute on his Instagram Story, writing ‘Really one in every of The Greats. RIP’ alongside two footage of his former co-star.
Gyles Brandreth was additionally fast to pay tribute and known as the late actress ‘one in every of a form in each method’.
Brandreth shared a photograph of him with Smith on X, previously Twitter, and wrote: ‘The saddest information: the demise of Dame Maggie Smith marks the top of a golden period & a fairly extraordinary life.
‘She was a really nice actress, ‘one of many greats’ & merely the most effective firm: sensible, witty, waspish, fantastic.
‘One in every of a form in each method and consequently irreplaceable.’
He additionally paid tribute on Instances Radio, saying she was ‘a uniquely towering performing expertise. I used to be simply reflecting that one of many qualities that now we have as a rustic is our historical past with theatre.
‘Our actors are thought of world class and if you happen to take a look at the highest of the world class, Maggie Smith is up there with the best. She is likely one of the greats.
What’s outstanding about her, and the rationale I say she’s one of many greats, is that she wasn’t simply an exceptionally profitable actress who might do all of it. She had a singular high quality.
‘And I believe to affix the pantheon of the best, you need to have one thing about your voice, your look, your method, that instructions consideration. She completely had that, proper from the beginning.
‘And she or he would not have regarded herself as both a comic book actress or a classical actress. She might simply do all of it. She lacked private self-importance within the sense that she was capable of play elements like The Girl within the Van, based mostly on Alan Bennett’s play, changed into a film, which was not a glamorous function. However she may be extremely glamorous… She was only a fantastic star. She had star high quality, and she or he had the very best requirements.
‘Typically individuals discovered her somewhat daunting, I believe. Younger actors, and even older actors, have been somewhat bit nervous of her. They thought, what’s she going to say as a result of she could possibly be caustic, she was witty. But when ever she was perceived as being troublesome, it was solely as a result of she had the very best requirements, each for herself and for different individuals.’
Rob Lowe, who labored with Dame Maggie in 1992’s Abruptly, Final Summer time, mirrored on their time collectively.
He penned: ‘Saddened to listen to Dame Maggie Smith has handed. I had the unforgettable expertise of working along with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.’
‘She might eat anybody alive, and infrequently did. However humorous, and nice firm. And suffered no fools. We’ll by no means see one other. God velocity, Ms. Smith!
Dan Stevens paid tribute on hisInstagram Story, writing ‘Really one in every of The Greats. RIP’ alongside two footage of his former co-star
Dan performed Matthew Crawley within the interval drama (pictured with Hugh)
Gyles Brandreth shared a photograph of him with Smith on X, previously Twitter , and wrote: ‘The saddest information: the demise of Dame Maggie Smith marks the top of a golden period’
Omid Djalili tweeted: ‘We have misplaced one the most effective in the present day.RIP Maggie Smith
Piers Morgan posted: ‘RIP Dame Maggie Smith. Magnificent actress, magnificent woman. As entertaining, sharp and witty off display screen as she was off it. A really very unhappy loss for Britain’
Dame Maggie was described as a ‘legend of British stage and display screen’ by BAFTA after she received 5 of their awards throughout her illustrious profession
Star Trek legend George Takei tweeted: ‘A grand star of display screen and stage has departed.
‘Maggie Smith, identified most just lately for her unforgettable roles because the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall within the Harry Potter movies, handed away at age 89. Followers each young and old shall miss her dearly.’
Piers Morgan posted: ‘RIP Dame Maggie Smith. Magnificent actress, magnificent woman. As entertaining, sharp and witty off display screen as she was off it. A really very unhappy loss for Britain.’
Omid Djalili tweeted: ‘We have misplaced one the most effective in the present day.RIP Maggie Smith.’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer penned: ‘Dame Maggie Smith launched us to new worlds with the numerous tales she acted over her lengthy profession.
‘She was beloved by so many for her nice expertise, turning into a real nationwide treasure whose work will likely be cherished for generations to come back. Our ideas are along with her household and family members. Could she relaxation in peace.’
The X account for Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cupboard Workplace at 10 Downing Road, additionally paid tribute, writing: ‘Farewell Dame Maggie – no one has ever executed a greater job of taking part in a cat.’
Dame Maggie was described as a ‘legend of British stage and display screen’ by BAFTA after she received 5 of their awards throughout her illustrious profession.
The orginisation tweeted: ‘We’re saddened to listen to that actor Dame Maggie Smith, finest identified for the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey, has died on the age of 89.
‘Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and display screen, successful 5 BAFTAs in addition to a BAFTA Particular Award and BAFTA Fellowship throughout her extremely acclaimed profession.’
Lucifer star Lesley-Ann Brandt stated ‘there’ll by no means be one other’ whereas Kelly Brook tweeted ‘our most beloved RIP’
Tamzin Outhwaite known as Dame Maggie a ‘magnificent Dame’ in her tribute
The X account for Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cupboard Workplace at 10 Downing Road, additionally paid tribute to the actress’ function in Harry Potter
Dame Maggie is pictured on the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 15, 2023
Dame Maggie’s kids, Widow Clicquot actor Chris Larkin, and Die One other Day star Toby Stephens, introduced her demise in an announcement.
Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, she was an internationally recognised actress for a lot of her life after taking part in the fanatical instructor Jean Brodie in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
She additionally received over Harry Potter followers later in life, when she appeared within the movie sequence because the quick-witted, variety and formidable Professor McGonagall.
And in 2010 she was central to the success of ITV sequence Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-award successful function because the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play within the movies.
Larkin and Stephens, her sons from her first marriage, stated of their assertion: ‘It’s with nice disappointment now we have to announce the demise of Dame Maggie Smith. She handed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday twenty seventh September.
‘An intensely personal particular person, she was with family and friends on the finish. She leaves two sons and 5 loving grandchildren who’re devastated by the lack of their extraordinary mom and grandmother.
‘We want to take this chance to thank the fantastic employees on the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for his or her care and unstinting kindness throughout her last days.
‘We thanks for all of your variety messages and help and ask that you simply respect our privateness at the moment.’