Photo: John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI

Former co-stars and famous fans honored Dame Maggie Smith in statements and tributes on social media after her sons confirmed the actress, beloved for decades of stage and film roles, died “peacefully in hospital” today. She was 89. Daniel Radcliffe recalled Smith’s kindness toward him when he met her at age 9 for his acting debut. David Copperfield. The pair reunited as co-stars within a decade Harry Potter films, in which Smith played Professor McGonagall. “She had a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm at the same time and was, as anyone will tell you, extremely funny,” Radcliffe said in a statement shared with the Associated Press. “I will always consider myself incredibly lucky to have been able to work with her and spend time with her on set. The word legend is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, it applies to her. Thanks Maggie.”

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes said in a statement to the AP that working with Smith was “the greatest privilege” of his career, describing the “truly wonderful actress” as a “joy to write for, subtle, layered, intelligent, funny and heart-warming”. -break.” Hugh Bonneville, who played Smith’s son Violet Crawley in the show, praised her “keen eyes, sharp wit and formidable talent” in a statement to the BBC, adding: “She was a true legend of her generation and will happily live on. in so many beautiful screen performances. Below are more tributes from those who worked with or admired Smith over the course of her generations-long career.

Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame, in a statement to Deadline:

“The entire cast and crew of Downton Abbey it was a huge honor to work with her, she was an actress of such stature whose incredible talent could encompass both high comedy and outright tragedy. Off-screen, she was particularly close to the cast who played the other members of her family and was very generous and full of encouragement to the younger actors. It’s personally poignant that my late grandfather directed one of her best performances The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for which she won her first Academy Award. Jean Brodie and Violet Grantham are just two creations in an extraordinary career that has spanned decades and thrilled audiences around the world. There is only one Maggie Smith and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Miriam Margolyes praised Smith as the ‘best of the best’ and told BBC News she was late Harry Potter co-star combined “ferociousness, glimpses of mischief, delight and tenderness.” She also highlighted Smith’s “tremendous courage,” adding, “I have been in awe of her, as have all of her colleagues.”

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, in a statement to Deadline:

‘There was no one like Maggie. I feel extremely lucky to have known such an outsider. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with her family.”