Dame Maggie Smith, who we all know as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, passed away on September 28 at 89. The Harry Potter cast recently shared their memories of the two-time Oscar winner and remembered her humor, kindness, and great talent.
Rupert Grint posted a tribute on Instagram. “Heartbroken to hear about Maggie,” he wrote in the post. “She was so special, always hilarious, and always kind. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared a set with her and particularly lucky to have shared a dance. I’ll miss you, Maggie. Sending all my love to her family. Rupert x.”
Grint also posted a still from that scene where McGonagall teaches Ron how to dance for the Yule Ball.
Daniel Radcliffe remembered her sharp intellect and humor. “I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set,” he admitted. “The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you, Maggie.”
Emma Watson revealed she only realized Smith’s greatness as she grew older and thanked her for her kindness. “When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend — the woman I was fortunate to share space with,” she wrote on her IG Story. “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. She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God, you held your own. Thank you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you.”
Mark Williams, who played Arthur Weasley, shared a funny moment. “At one of the ‘Harry Potter’ premieres (forget which) I decided not to wear a suit,” he said. “A tailor friend of mine dressed me in an outfit that included a very chic stripped blazer. Maggie spotted me, a gleam in her eye: ‘Have you just come from Henley?'” He said that he never dared to wear it again.
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, also remembered Smith fondly. “My favorite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball,” she wrote. “She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has. She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie’s family at this time.”
Tom Felton, who starred as Draco Malfoy, shared a touching memory of Smith. “There quite simply was no one like her,” he said on Instagram. “Thank you for looking after us from literally day one. Thank you for not getting me kicked off the set when I couldn’t stop giggling during your transfiguration class. Thank you for showing us the way. Raise your wands.”
Other ‘Harry Potter’ stars also shared tributes. Chris Rankin described Smith as one of the most talented and sharp-tongued people he ever worked with. Devon Murray shared some light-hearted memories, like getting drunk with Smith while waiting for a fax in a hotel or trying not to laugh during a scene where a baboon kept interrupting.
Sirius Black actor Gary Oldman called Smith one of the greatest actors of her generation. Afshan Azad (Padma Patil), Anna Shaffer (Romilda Vane), and Josh Herdman (Gregory Goyle) also shared tributes.
