MANILA, Philippines – Several actors mourned the death of British actress Maggie Smith, who died on Friday, September 27. She was 89.
She was known for playing the roles of iconic in different films and television shows, such as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise, Violet Crawley in the television series “Downton Abbey,” and Mother Superior in the 1992 film “Sister Act”.
Describing her as a legend, English actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson said that they were lucky to have worked with Smith in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
“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,” Watson said in an Instagram Story on Saturday, September 28.
In a statement sent to Page Six, Radcliffe recalled how he felt “at ease” when he first started working with Smith, despite feeling “nervous” to meet her.
“I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set,” he said. “The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her.”
Bonnie Wright and Rupert Grint shared their favorite memories with Smith on Instagram, which involved dancing with the actress for the “Yule Ball.”
Touching all the Potterhead hearts, Wright addressed Smith as their “dearly loved and revered head of the Gryffindor house,” and said that she embodied the “perfect balance of sass and loving care” that Professor McGonagall has.
After spending over 60 years in the film industry, Smith has won numerous prestigious awards and was known as one of Britain’s national treasures. She was appointed Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her services in the performing arts in the 1990 New Year Honors.
The actress received her first Academy Award nomination after playing “Desdemona” in Laurence Olivier’s ”Othello” in 1965, and won the Oscar for her role as an Edinburgh schoolmistress in 1969’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” – with reports from Gabby Busto/Rappler.com
Gabby Busto is a Digital Communications intern at Rappler. She is taking AB Communications at the University of Santo Tomas.