Daniel Radcliffe Just Released A Statement About Maggie Smith's Death

Daniel Radcliffe is mourning Maggie Smith by sharing a heartwarming story about the first time they met.

Daniel Radcliffe smiles, wearing a casual blue V-neck shirt under a dark jacket, against a white background with CBS and Paramount+ logos
Daniel Radcliffe smiles, wearing a casual blue V-neck shirt under a dark jacket, against a white background with CBS and Paramount+ logos
Maggie Smith at the London Film Festival, wearing a floral scarf over a simple top
Maggie Smith at the London Film Festival, wearing a floral scarf over a simple top

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images, Mike Marsland / WireImage

Both actors were tentpoles of the Harry Potter franchise, with Daniel playing Harry and Maggie playing Hogwarts professor Minerva McGonagall.

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter stands in front of Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in a room with large windows and wooden paneling
Jaap Buitendijk/©2011 Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Maggie appeared in eight of the nine films, beginning with The Sorcerer's Stone in 2001 and ending with Deathly Hallows — Part 2 a decade later. However, the two actors had previously worked together on an entirely different project.

Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in "Harry Potter," dressed in a dark witch's hat and robe, holding scrolls in a bustling, Gothic-style hall
Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

As Daniel recalled in a statement published by the Associated Press and Variety on Friday, they first met after being cast in BBC's 1999 two-part TV production of David Copperfield. In the adaption of Charles Dickens's novel, Daniel made his acting debut as a young David Copperfield, while Maggie played David's great-aunt Betsey Trotwood.

A man in a Victorian outfit and top hat looks out a window with a young Daniel Radcliffe in period clothing
A man in a Victorian outfit and top hat looks out a window with a young Daniel Radcliffe in period clothing
Maggie Smith wears a bonnet and period costume, portraying a character in historical attire
Maggie Smith wears a bonnet and period costume, portraying a character in historical attire

WGBH/Courtesy Everett Collection

"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," Daniel said in his statement. "I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her."

Maggie Smith with short hair and a friendly smile, wearing a leopard print blouse and a dark blazer with a bee pin
Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Then Daniel shared an adorable story about the first question he asked Maggie after meeting. "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!’" he said.

Daniel Radcliffe, in period clothing, seated in front of bookshelves
Courtesy Everett Collection

"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 10 years on the Harry Potter films," he continued.

Characters from Harry Potter, including Professor McGonagall (standing) and Harry Potter (seated), are in the Great Hall during a sorting ceremony with the Sorting Hat
Warner Bros / courtesy Everett Collection

Daniel went on to say Maggie had "a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny."

Maggie Smith at an event, wearing a blouse with a dark blazer and smiling at the camera
Jim Spellman / WireImage / Getty Images

"I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set," he continued. "The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie."

Daniel Radcliffe at the Tony Awards, wearing a suit with a large bow tie, standing against a backdrop with logos and text
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Getty Images

On Friday, social media was abuzz with tributes to the late actor, including from fans and other celebs. You can read more about the tributes here and here.

Maggie Smith smiling at a public event, wearing a white outfit with an elegant silver and white shawl
Jon Furniss / WireImage / Getty Images