Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress whose career on stage and screen spanned more than seven decades, died Friday at the age of 89.
Sandra Bullock, who not only had the pleasure of working with Smith on the comedy-drama film Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) but also had the honor of calling her a friend, was among the stars paid tribute brought to the star’s legacy.
“How lucky I am to have sat in quiet corners with Maggie and a glass of wine,” said Bullock, 60. PEOPLE just hours after Smith’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin confirmed her death.
“Her stories, her wicked sense of humor and her kind advice are all things that have made my life sweeter,” Bullock added.
Smith was a critically acclaimed actress, whose accolades included two Academy Awards wins for Best Actress for her performance in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978), as well as five BAFTAs and three Gold Globes Awards. , and a Tony Award for Lettice And Lovage (1990).
Sandra Bullock (left in 2022), 60, was among stars to pay tribute to the late British actress Maggie Smith (right in 2023) following her death on Friday at the age of 89
Bullock met Smith when they worked together on Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood as part of an ensemble cast that also included Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd, James Garner, Fionnula Flanagan, Shirley Knight and Angus Macfadyen.
Written and directed by Callie Khouri, who based the screenplay on author Rebecca Wells’ 1996 novel of the same name, the story follows Bullock’s character Siddalee “Sidda” Walker as she revisits her childhood in Louisiana and reconnects with her mother Vivi ( Burstyn) and Vivi’s childhood friends after they kidnap her.
Smith played the role of Caroline ‘Caro’ Bennett in the film, while Katy Sleverstone and Mary Katherine Weiss played younger versions of the character.
Many younger fans know Smith from her iconic role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in all six Harry Potter films (2002-2011) and from the role of Violet Crawley in the British TV series Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).
Born in Ilford, Essex, England, she made her professional debut on television in an episode of BBC Sunday-Night Theater (1955), followed by her film debut in the drama Child In The House (1956).
Some of her more popular films over the years have been Death On The Nile (1978), Clash Of The Titans (1981), A Room With A View (1985), Romeo.Juliet (1990), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), The First Wives Club (1996), Tea with Mussolini (1999).
Smith’s final film role came in the drama The Miracle Club (2023), in which she starred with Laura Linney, Kathy Bates and Stephen Rea.
It premiered last June at the Tribeca Festival in New York City.
Bullock (second from left) had the honor of working alongside Maggie Smith (second from right) in the comedy-drama film Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002); they are depicted in a scene with Shirley Knight and Fionnula Flanagan
“Her stories, her wicked sense of humor and her kind advice are all things that have made my life sweeter,” Bullock described of Smith; seen in The Divine Secrets Of The Ya Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood, written and directed by Callie Khouri, grossed $73.8 million at the box office against a budget of $27 million.
Smith’s two sons confirmed their mother’s death through publicist Clair Dobbs on Friday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” their statement read.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday, September 27,” they continued. ‘She was an intensely private person and was ultimately with friends and family. She is survived by two sons and five loving grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of their special mother and grandmother.”
The statement ended with Stephens and Larkin thanking the “amazing staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital” for the care they gave her in her final days, as well as fans for their messages of support.
Stars across the pond in the United States are also sharing many more tributes to the iconic artist, like Rob Lowe.
‘Saddened to hear that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; Sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion,” Lowe wrote via X, in a reference to their film Suddenly Last Summer (1993). ‘She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny and good company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another again. God speed, Mrs. Smith!’
Maren Morris revealed how she has always loved Smith in roles such as The Secret Garden, Hook, Sister Act, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
‘My youth. Rest assured, Maggie Smith,” she concluded her tribute.
Viola Davis praised Smith for “defying the expectations of age” in a moving tribute.
Smith was a critically acclaimed actress, whose accolades included two Academy Awards wins for Best Actress for her performance in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978), as well as five BAFTAs and three Gold Globes Awards. , and a Tony Award for Lettice And Lovage (1990); seen in 1969
“Maggie Smith was an amazing woman and a brilliant actress,” Smith’s Sister Act co-star Whoopi Goldberg shared on Instagram; Smith (left) and Goldberg (right) seen in Sister Act
Smith’s two sons confirmed their mother’s death through publicist Clair Dobbs in the morning hours of Friday, September 27; Smith seen in 2021
‘The end of an era of pure definition of what it means to be an actor. You created characters that hooked us, moved us, entertained us… made us look inward, the actress added. ‘You were the great, the personification of Dame Maggie Smith.’
Smith’s Sister Act co-star Whoopi Goldberg was excited about working with the late actress twice in her life.
“Maggie Smith was an amazing woman and a brilliant actress,” Goldberg took to Instagram, sharing a photo of the couple in their nun costumes.
‘I still can’t believe that I was lucky enough to work with this unique specimen. My sincere condolences go out to the family… RIP.”
Smith is survived by her two sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin and her five grandchildren.