Daniel Radcliffe and “Harry Potter” Costars Pay Tribute to 'Legend' Maggie Smith: 'A Gloriously Sharp Tongue'

The actress, who played Professor McGonagall in the film series, died at age 89 on Sept. 27

Daniel Radcliffe and his Harry Potter costars are remembering Maggie Smith, and honoring her magical portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster franchise.

Radcliffe, who played the titular Potter in the eight-film series, remembered the late actress as "a fierce intellect" and "legend" in statement shared with Variety.

“The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 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," Radcliffe recalled. "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," he added. "She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films.”

Radcliffe, 35, added that Smith "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," he concluded. "The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the franchise, dedicated an Instagram post to Smith on Friday, in which she remembered the Potter star as the "dearly loved and revered head of Gryffindor house."

"You will be so missed by the Harry Potter community," Wright, 33, wrote. "My favourite scene with Maggie was when we were all learning to dance for the Yule Ball. 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."

Related: Maggie Smith, Iconic Harry Potter and Downton Abbey Star and Two-Time Oscar Winner, Dies at 89

According to castmate Devon Murray, beyond her work portraying the beloved Hogwarts professor for a decade, Smith was "the kindest, most caring and loving lady" he'd "ever met," while also being "the most intimidating."

"We’ve shared so many great moments together that I will treasure. #ripmaggie," Murray, 35, who played Gryffindor student Seamus Finnigan, said on Instagram.

Related: Why Harry Potter's Director Once Said Maggie Smith Was Perfect for Her Role: Both 'Intimidating' and Full of 'Heart'

Some of Murray's fellow Hogwarts peers shared their own tributes as well. Josh Herdman, who portrayed Gregory Goyle, uploaded a sweet "RIP" on his Instagram Stories, while Afshan Azad, who portrayed Padma Patil, remembered Smith as a "legend" and "icon."

"An absolute honour to have shared the same room as you let alone screen," Azad wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside an image of Smith she reposted.

"There'll be no other," she added. "Thoughts and love go to all her friends and family and all the potter family🕊️. RIP."

The beloved actress took on the role of McGonagall starting with 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and reprised the role for the remainder of the film series, wrapping with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011.

On Friday, Sept. 27, Smith's sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin revealed in a statement that the actress "passed away peacefully in hospital" that morning at age 89.

"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end," they shared in the statement. "She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."

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