Actors, collaborators and fans who worked with Maggie Smith have paid rich tribute to award-winning actor, who is best known for playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. She died Friday at 89. “It's a very sad day for the whole culture of theater and cinema in England.
She was one of the greatest actresses of the past century, without a doubt. actor Helen Mirren, in an interview with The Associated Press. Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.
She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family. actor Hugh Bonneville, who starred alongside Smith in Downton Abbey, in a statement to the AP.
"Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career. She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny and heart-breaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I will never forget her.
" Julian Fellowes, who created, wrote and produced Downton Abbey, in a statement to the AP. "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.
The other thing I k.