Whoopi Goldberg remembered her Sister Act co-star as “one of a kind,” while fans paid tribute to the “good,” “iconic” and “cool” legendary actress, who died on Friday morning, exactly one year after her Harry Potter co-star Michael Gambon delivered.
The world is mourning the lack of another legend. Actress Maggie Smith – identified for functions within the Harry Potter franchise, Downton Abbeyand extras – passed away at the age of 89.
On Friday, Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced the sad news of their mother’s death in a affirmation through his press secretary, Clair Dobbs. Smith’s children said she passed away at a London hospital on Friday morning, but have not shared any further information.
“She leaves behind two children and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” Larkin and Stephens added.
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The official Harry Potter Instagram account shared a heartfelt statement, writing: “Dame Maggie Smith was a brilliant snap as Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. We are very sad to hear of his passing today, aged 89. His quick wit and formidable presence as the Head of Gryffindor House ensured that Hogwarts was always in good hands.
Smith’s legendary career spanned seven years, with numerous film and television roles, and on stage in theatrical productions. Some of his most notable film roles include Othello (1965), Miss Jean Brodie’s first (1969), California Suite (1978), Dying in the Nile (1978), A room with a view (1985), Hook (1991), Sister Ato (1992), Marigold’s best exclusive accommodation (2012), and within the eight Harry Potter films from 2011 to 2011, where she played Professor Minerva McGonagall.
As for television, Smith was best known for her role as Violet Crawley in the period drama Downton Abbey, which ran from 2010 to 2015. She also reprized her role in the following two films, 2019. Downton Abbey and 2022 Downton Abbey: a new period. The series’ official account remembered her with a social media post calling her a “true British icon”, adding: “Thank you for everything.”
Over the course of his career, Smith has received two Oscars, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, five BAFTA Awards and a Tony Award. In 1990, Smith was also created a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II.
Following the news of Smith’s passing, celebrities and followers took to social media to pay tribute.
A true British icon. Thank you for everything, Dame Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/FM3aQjv5Rq
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) September 27, 2024
@DowntonAbbey
Whoopi Goldberg shared a post on Instagram, posting a photo of her and Smith together from Sister Ato.
“Maggie Smith was a great woman and a great actress,” Goldberg captioned the post. “I still can’t imagine that I was lucky enough to work with the ‘one.’ My deepest condolences go out to the family… RIP.”
Rob Lowe – who starred with Smith in 1993 Immediately in the last daylight saving time – shared a press release on X, previously on Twitter, writing: “Sad to hear that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. I had the unforgettable experience of working together with her; Sharing a double shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and sometimes she did. But good-natured and pleasant. And he didn’t suffer fools. We will never see each other. Good pace, Mrs. Smith!
Fans mourned Smith’s passing on social media, remembering the legendary actress as a “treasure,” “icon” and one of the “greats.”
“The good lady Maggie Smith has passed away at the age of 89. She was an important part of my childhood and my adult life too,” one person wrote. “An excellent actress, an extraordinary human being. She could relax in peace. Thank you, Maggie, for the great experience you shared with all of us.”
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“This one hurts. ‘Iconic’ seems too superficial and basic a phrase for how monumental it was. Most adjectives to describe Maggie Smith and her incredible career do, actually. Relax in peace Dame Maggie,” said a second fan, while another wrote: “RIP Maggie Smith. Two Oscars, 4 Emmys, a Tony and a fabulously dry sense of humor. One of the greatest names of all time.”
A popular post on X featured an image of Harry Potter and the Hearth Gobletwith Smith alongside his late colleagues Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) and Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore). Rickman passed away in 2016 after a battle with cancer. Gambon, however, died exactly a year ago, at this very moment, on September 27, 2023, at age 82, after a bout of pneumonia.
“Relaxing in peace with an absolute treasure, Dame Maggie Smith. They reunited,” the person wrote next to the photograph.
Meanwhile, many followers paid tribute to Smith by sharing some of their favorite performances and clips of Smith’s most memorable scenes, as well as posting hilarious snippets from Smith’s past interviews.
See more tributes and reactions from celebrities and fans in the posts below.
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Sad to hear that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. I had the unforgettable experience of working together with her; Sharing a double shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and sometimes she did. But good-natured and pleasant. And he didn’t suffer fools. We’ll never see each other… pic.twitter.com/wjJCL7FqWf
-Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) September 27, 2024
@RobLowe
We are saddened to learn that actress Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the films Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has died aged 89.
Dame Maggie was a legend of the British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and a BAFTA Fellowship during her… pic.twitter.com/YxQs4GAdCp
-BAFTA (@BAFTA) September 27, 2024
@BAFTA
Relaxing in peace to an absolute treasure, Dame Maggie Smith
They met again 🤍 pic.twitter.com/v5nIKceAtu
– sean 🇮🇪🤝🏼🇵🇸 (@Sean_Gabbett) September 27, 2024
@Sean_Gabbett
rip Maggie Smith, one of the many greats of her time pic.twitter.com/6GGgwXCITJ
– George Griffiths (@georgegriffiths) September 27, 2024
@georggriffiths
There was no one like Dame Maggie Smith pic.twitter.com/Dxk5G5fYt2
-Scott Bryan (@scottygb) September 27, 2024
@scottygb
Everyone will be talking about Harry Potter and Downton, but in the early years Maggie Smith was so good. pic.twitter.com/YC8YlP5nFp
-Tom Wilson 🇺🇦 (@feedthedrummer) September 27, 2024
@feedthedrummer
go to one of the best, Maggie Smith, you can continue to be cruel wherever you are pic.twitter.com/MVyEUpRd37
– Amy Elouise (@foxgrove_) September 27, 2024
@foxgrove_
RIP Maggie Smith, this was considered one of my favorite Harry Potter scenes with Professor McGonagall 💔 pic.twitter.com/Qe61BS7u9w
– Aaron Paul – ImHybrid (@HYBRlD) September 27, 2024
@HYBRlD
The first of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite won her Oscar, but this line reading from Downton Abbey made it iconic. RIP to the nice Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/v33Yxo5NEp
-Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) September 27, 2024
@ditzkoff
The good lady Maggie Smith has passed away at the age of 89. She was an important part of my childhood and my adult life too. An excellent actress, an extraordinary human being. She could relax in peace. Thank you, Maggie, for the great experience you shared with all of us. pic.twitter.com/m3abKgQiUH
—Arnesa Buljušmić-Kustura (@Rrrrnessa) September 27, 2024
@Rrrnessa
Relax in peace Maggie Smith, you will always be appreciated pic.twitter.com/PoVwdKV1uo
– S. (@shivlestat) September 27, 2024
@shivlestat
Rest in peace Maggie Smith. Two Oscars, 4 Emmys, a Tony and a fabulously dry sense of humor. One of the greatest names of all time. pic.twitter.com/wzuc58t56X
-Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) September 27, 2024
@mrnicklevine
Oh Maggie Smith, RIP Queen. In fact, we’re about to start abandoning all our legends pic.twitter.com/8EO2o9QPsO
– Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) September 27, 2024
@MediumSizeMeech
This one hurts. “Iconic” seems too superficial and basic a phrase for how monumental it was. Most adjectives to explain Maggie Smith and her incredible career do, actually.
Relax in peace, Lady Maggie. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/PxpddtIWrq
-NomiMaloneHQ (@ptrckMcC) September 27, 2024
@ptrckMcC