The news of Dame Maggie Smith’s passing at the age of 89 left the world in shock. Following her death, an outpouring of tributes filled social media from her co-stars, fellow celebrities, and devoted fans alike.
Among those paying tribute was Rupert Grint, known for his role as Ron Weasley in the beloved Harry Potter series. Taking to Instagram, he expressed his heartbreak, saying, “I’m heartbroken to hear about Maggie. She was so special, always hilarious and always kind.” Grint reflected on how fortunate he felt to have worked alongside her, fondly remembering a moment they shared a dance, which harkened back to a scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when his character practiced for the Yule Ball with Professor McGonagall.
Dame Maggie Smith is cherished by many for her portrayal of Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House and deputy headmistress at Hogwarts. Her co-stars also shared their emotional memories. Daniel Radcliffe, famously known as Harry Potter, took to X (formerly Twitter) to recall their first meeting on the set of the 1999 mini-series David Copperfield. He fondly remembered how his parents were thrilled that he would act alongside Smith. He humorously shared that when they first met, he asked her, “Would you like me to call you Dame?” To which she responded, “Don’t be ridiculous!”
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, shared her feelings on Instagram Stories, admitting that she didn’t fully grasp the legend that Maggie Smith was when she was younger. She expressed her gratitude for having the chance to work with such an iconic figure, calling her “a true definition of greatness.”
Dame Maggie Smith passed away on September 27, and her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed the heartbreaking news, as reported by The Guardian.
