Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress whose career on stage and screen spanned more than seven decades, died on Friday at the age of 89.
Sandra Bullock, who had the pleasure of not only working with Smith on the comedy-drama film Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), but also the honor of calling her a friend, was among the stars who paid tribute to The Legacy of the star.
“How lucky I am to have sat in quiet corners with Maggie and a glass of wine,” Bullock, 60, said. PEOPLE just hours after Smith’s sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed his death.
“His stories, his wicked sense of humor and his kind advice are things that have made my life sweeter,” Bullock added.
Smith was an acclaimed actress, whose accolades included two Academy Awards 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 Globes. Gold. and a Tony Award for Lettice And Lovage (1990).
Sandra Bullock (left in 2022), 60, was among the stars who paid tribute to the late British actress Maggie Smith (left in 2023) after her death on Friday aged 89.
Bullock met Smith when they worked together on Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood as part of a 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 the 1996 novel of the same name by author Rebecca Wells, 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 she is kidnapped.
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 for her iconic role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in all six Harry Potter films (2002-2011), as well as the role of Violet Crawley in the British television series Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).
The native of Ilford, Essex, England, made her professional television debut in an episode of BBC Sunday-Night Theater (1955), which was followed by her film debut in the drama Child In The House (1956).
Some of his most popular films over the years included Death On The Nile (1978), Clash of the Titans (1981), Room with a View (1985), Romeo.Juliet (1990), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back to Custom (1993), The First Wives Club (1996), Tea with Mussolini (1999).
Smith’s last film role was in the drama The Miracle Club (2023), in which he starred with Laura Linney, Kathy Bates and Stephen Rea.
It had its premiere in June of last year at the Tribeca Festival in New York City.
Bullock (second left) had the honor of working alongside Maggie Smith (second right) in the comedy-drama film Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002); They appear in a scene with Shirley Knight and Fionnula Flanagan.
“His stories, his wicked sense of humor and his kind advice are things that have made my life sweeter,” Bullock described Smith; seen in The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Brotherhood (2002)
Written and directed by Callie Khouri, Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood grossed $73.8 million at the box office against a $27 million budget.
Smith’s two children confirmed their mother’s death through publicist Clair Dobbs in the early hours of Friday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” their statement read.
“He passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27,” they continued. ‘An intensely private person, he was ultimately with friends and family. He leaves two children and five beloved grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.’
The statement ended with Stephens and Larkin thanking the ‘wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’ for the care they gave him in his final days, as well as fans for their messages of support.
Stars across the pond in the United States also share many more tributes to the iconic artist like Rob Lowe.
‘I am saddened to hear that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing two shots was like being paired with a lion,” Lowe wrote through .And he didn’t suffer fools. We’ll never see another. Godspeed, Mrs. Smith!
Maren Morris revealed that she has always loved Smith in roles such as The Secret Garden, Hook, Sister Act, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
‘My childhood. Rest easy, Maggie Smith,” he concluded his tribute.
Viola Davis praised Smith for “defying age expectations” in a moving tribute.
Smith was an acclaimed actress, whose accolades included two Academy Awards 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, three Globes Gold and a Tony Award for Lettice And Lovage (1990); seen in 1969
‘Maggie Smith was a great 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 children confirmed their mother’s death through publicist Clair Dobbs on the morning 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 clung to us, moved us, entertained us… made us look inward,” added the actress. “You were greatness personified Dame Maggie Smith.”
Smith’s Sister Act co-star Whoopi Goldberg gushed about working with the late actress twice in her life.
“Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress,” Goldberg shared on Instagram, sharing a photo of the couple in their nun costumes.
‘I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with someone one of a kind. My deepest condolences to the family… RIP.’
Smith is survived by his two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, and his five grandchildren.
