close
close
Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe reacts to the death of Maggie Smith

The Boy Who Lived speaks out.

Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to his “Harry Potter” co-star Maggie Smith, who died on Friday at the age of 89.

In a statement to The Post, Radcliffe, 35, said: “When I first 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, except that my parents were impressed by the fact that I would be working with her.”

The Harry Potter star recalled: “The other thing I knew about her was that she was a lady, so the first thing I asked her when we met was, 'Do you want me to call you a lady?' '” to which she laughed and said something to the effect of, 'Don't be ridiculous!'”

Daniel Radcliffe with Maggie Smith and her granddaughter in 2005. Scott Myers/Shutterstock
Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. ©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
Maggie Smith in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. ©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Radcliffe was nervous about meeting her, but the British icon immediately put him at ease.

“She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot and then I was lucky enough to work with her on the Harry Potter films for another ten years.”

“She had a fierce intellect, a wonderfully sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm at the same time and, as anyone will tell you, was extremely funny,” the Tony winner continued. “I will always consider myself very lucky to have been able to work with her and spend time with her on set.”

Radcliffe is just the latest co-star to comment on Smith, as “Harry Potter” star Bonnie Wright posted a tribute on Instagram and “Downton Abbey” co-stars Michelle Dockery and Hugh Boneville also weighed in with statements reported.

Smith's sons, actors Toby Stephens, 55, and Chris Larkin, 57, announced the news of her death on Friday.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday September 27th. A very private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” a statement said.

She continued: “She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother… We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time. “

Daniel Radcliffe attends the Broadway 'Merrily We Roll Along' red carpet celebration at the Hudson Theater on Sunday, October 8, 2023. CJ Rivera/Invision/AP
Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. ©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Warner Bros

Radcliffe starred alongside Smith in all eight Harry Potter films released between 2001 and 2011. The “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” actor was just 11 years old in the first film and was already 20 years old when the epic fantasy saga was made. He starred alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

Aside from “Harry Potter,” Smith was known for her Emmy-winning role in “Downton Abbey” and for a number of roles on stage and screen, including “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” for which she won an Oscar In 1970 and 1990 for the Broadway play Lettice and Love, for which she won a Tony.

Radcliffe concluded his statement by saying, “The word legend is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, then it applies to them too. Thank you, Maggie.”

By Vanessa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *