On September 27, 2024, the great actress Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, colloquially known as Maggie Smith, passed away. She was best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. As a result of her numerous accolades for works in movies, television, and plays, in 1990, Queen Elizabeth named her a Dame for her services to the performing arts. Additionally, she received many awards, such as one Tony Award, four Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, five BAFTA’s, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and many more.
Smith was most celebrated for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movie series. While playing her role expertly, she was a role model and mentor to younger cast members. Many actors and actresses spoke on their social media platforms after hearing of Smith’s passing. Daniel Radcliffe wrote about how he met Smith on the set of his first job, David Copperfield, before he played the role of Harry Potter. He further explained that he got the role of Harry Potter because of Smith. He stated, “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.”
Emma Watson took to Instagram to say, “When I was younger, I had no idea of Maggie’s legend—the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with. 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-honoring. 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.”
Smith remains a mentor and idol to so many young girls worldwide. There have been many interviews with actresses such as Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter series, where they mention how Smith would help them between scenes and give them advice. She showed them that with a sense of honesty and compassion, they were capable of facing obstacles and blazing their own trails. Watson and Wright were fortunate to have Smith as a role model; this undoubtedly led to their success, professionally and personally. Rupert Grint also took to his Instagram, saying, “Heartbroken to hear about Maggie. 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.”
Many other actors and actresses have spoken about Smith’s prolific career and influence, many using the word “legend” to describe her. Indeed, she was a legend in many aspects of her career. Additionally, many close to Smith made it clear her real-life character was much like her role as Professor McGonagall. She was a fighter who fought not only Grave’s disease and glaucoma but breast cancer as well. She was diagnosed with breast cancer during her time as Professor McGonagall and pushed through filming, electing to wear wigs. She described herself as “staggering through” the remaining films. Although experiencing many medical issues throughout her life, her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
I knew Maggie Smith as a household name. Every movie or television show I’ve watched with her in it has always had her special touch. Her characters often have a kind but sassy and stern attitude about them that brings to light who she was as a person. As someone who grew up watching Harry Potter, I have always found her to be an extraordinary actress. The way that she played a professor who had such a motherly instinct but had no biological children of her own made me realize how amazing teachers are. I have also realized the key role she played in why I want to become a teacher. Last year. I spent a lot of time in a fourth-grade classroom, and after reflecting, I realized how much I began to act like Minerva McGonagall. It is important to have these role models to aspire towards and improve ourselves because of them. I always believed that out of all the Harry Potter characters, Smith portrayed her character the best.
Many others who are huge Harry Potter fans gathered at Universal Studios to “raise their wands” for Smith after her death. Fans stood outside of “Hogwarts” and pointed their wands towards the sky in memory of Smith. This is especially touching because it was reminiscent of a famous scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in which students, led by Professor McGonagall, raised their wands in solidarity after Dumbledore’s death. Across Skidmore’s campus, I have personally heard groups of students talk about their reactions to Smith’s death, many extremely upset. Dame Maggie Smith may have passed on, but she will forever live in our hearts and on the big screen.