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Tributes pour in for Maggie Smith – who has died aged 89

The news broke this afternoon that Smith has passed away

Alex Wood

| London |

27 September 2024

Sad news came today as it was announced that Maggie Smith has died aged 89.

As expected, a deluge of tributes came in from across the UK to mark the news.

Debbie Isitt shared: “What a legend! What a woman! What an actor! RIP funny, brilliant Maggie Smith”, while George Takei said: “A grand star of screen and stage has departed. Maggie Smith, known most recently for her unforgettable roles as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, passed away at age 89. Fans both old and young shall miss her dearly.”

Theatre journalist Dave Benedict shared: “Too young to understand what held me spellbound, I saw Maggie Smith in Private Lives. I can see it still. Her command of time and an audience and/or the camera was so complete that she could hold a line, a moment, a look, seemingly forever. Matchless. RIP”

Leeds Grand Theatre’s statement reads: “All of us at Leeds Heritage Theatres are saddened to hear about the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Dame Maggie performed at the Grand multiple times, including in The Recruiting Officer in 1964. Her career on the stage was but one part of a vast and celebrated professional life – and it’s something that we are very thankful to have been a part of. From stage to screen, she is leaving behind countless stories that forever impact our industry and its audiences. In her own words, ‘There is a kind of invisible thread between the actor and the audience, and when it’s there it’s stunning, and there is nothing to match that.'”

BAFTA shared: “We’re saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89. Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and BAFTA Fellowship during her highly acclaimed career.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said: “A true British icon of the stage and screen. Rest in peace Dame Maggie Smith, you’ll be forever remembered for a lifetime of commitment to the arts.”

Elaine Paige said: “So very sad to hear Dame Maggie Smith, one of Britain’s greatest actors has died. An incredible career spanning over 70 yrs, winning two Oscars, a Tony Award, four Emmy Awards, five British Academy Film Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. RIP dear lady.”

The RSC said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Maggie Smith’s passing. Maggie made an extraordinary contribution to the profession, performing era-defining roles across stage and screen in a career that spanned over 60 years. Our thoughts are with Maggie’s family and friends.”

Daniel Radcliffe said in a statement: “The first time I met Maggie Smith I was nine years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job, I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her. The other thing I knew about her was that she was a dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was ‘would you like me to call you Dame?’ at which she laughed and said something to the effect of ‘don’t be ridiculous!’ I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease.

“She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another ten years on the Harry Potter films. She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny. I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”

From her defining performances in Hedda Gabler, Miss Julie and Hay Fever to the first performances of now-classic plays by Osborne and Shaffer, she will forever be remembered as one of the greatest actors this country has had the inestimable pleasure of witnessing. pic.twitter.com/kbKmLp0YyB

— National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) September 27, 2024

Her deep intelligence, effortless dexterity, sublime craft and sharp wit were simply legendary. The National Theatre is reeling today, and we send our deepest condolences to Maggie’s family and her legions of admirers across the world and in every generation. pic.twitter.com/x6aSuK00If

— National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) September 27, 2024

"I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost – it's there and then it's gone" ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GhNCf24eYn

— Ben Weatherill (@BenWeatherill) September 27, 2024

The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life. She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/34EOnE4Zgp

— Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) September 27, 2024