Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89

Getty Images

The stars are paying tribute to ’s legacy after the actress died on Friday, September 27. She was 89.

Smith’s two sons, Toby and Chris, confirmed their mother’s death in a statement to the BBC.

“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” their statement read. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

They continued, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Related: Celebrity Deaths of 2024: Stars We Lost This YearHollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 during a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was traveling home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shared with wife Jessica Klepser — on January 4. […]

Smith was best known for her roles in the Harry Potter and Downton Abbey franchises. She was also made a Dame Commander in 1990, later receiving a Companion of Honor title from the British royals in 2014.

After Smith’s death, many stars paid their respects to her loved ones. Keep scrolling to read their tributes:

Getty ImagesHugh Bonneville

Smith’s Downton costar Bonneville offered his “condolences to her boys and wider family” in a statement to the BBC.

“Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent,” he added. “She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.”

Rob Lowe

“Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion,” he wrote via X, referring to their experience filming 1993’s Suddenly Last Summer. “She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!”

Natasha Richardson, Maggie Smith and Rob Lowe in ‘Suddenly, Last Summer’ BBCMaren Morris

Morris revealed via her Instagram Story that she always enjoyed Smith’s roles in The Secret Garden, Hook, Sister Act, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

“My childhood,” the singer wrote. “Rest easy, Maggie Smith.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe

By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly

Deal of the DayUpgrade Your Bedding With This Best-Selling Set That’s Now 52% off!View Deal

Check our latest news in Google News

Follow Us

Check our latest news in Apple News

Follow UsjQuery( document ).ready( function( $ ) { let randomNumber = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 ), is_spanish = false, is_featured_post = false; if ( randomNumber < 96 && $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).length ) { $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).show(); $( '#news-block .news-widget, #news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); } else { if( $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).length ) { $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).remove(); } if ( is_spanish ) { // 99% should be newsletter signup if ( randomNumber < 99 ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).show(); } } else if ( is_featured_post ) { // no newsletter block $( '#news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).show(); } else { // 50/50 if( 0 === parseInt( $.now() ) % 2 ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).show(); } } if ( navigator.userAgent.match( /(iPod|iPhone|iPad)/ ) ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget .google-news' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .news-widget .apple-news' ).remove(); } } } );Related: 'Downton Abbey' Stars: Where Are They Now?Truly a classic! Downton Abbey caught the attention of millions of viewers throughout its six seasons — and fans are still binge-watching the drama well after its finale. The British series aired on ITV from 2010 to 2015 and was brought to PBS audiences across the pond. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith and more […] Omid Djalili

“We’ve lost one the [sic] best today. RIP Maggie Smith,” the British comedian wrote via X.

Gyles Brandreth

The British broadcaster shared a photo from his 2021 interview with Smith.

“The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life,” Brandreth wrote via X. “She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”

In this articleMaggie Smith

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, More React to Maggie Smith's Death at 89