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Daniel Radcliffe has paid tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Dame Maggie Smith, following the legendary actress's death on Friday at the age of 89. Radcliffe, 35, shared heartfelt memories of working with Smith, recalling their first encounter on the set of David Copperfield when he was just 9 years old.

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In a statement given to Page Six, Radcliffe recounted how his parents were “awestruck” that he would work with the acclaimed actress. “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!” Radcliffe said. 

Radcliffe described Smith as warm and kind, qualities that helped him feel at ease during their first collaboration. “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,” Radcliffe added.

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Over the next decade, the two actors shared the screen in all eight Harry Potter films, with Radcliffe playing the titular character and Smith portraying the beloved Professor Minerva McGonagall.

“She had a fierce intellect and a gloriously sharp tongue,” Radcliffe said. “[Maggie] could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.” 

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

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Smith’s family confirmed her passing, revealing that she died peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by loved ones. The revered actress leaves behind a storied legacy, with two Academy Awards, three Emmys, three Golden Globes, and one Tony Award. She was appointed a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for her contributions to theatre and film.

Smith is survived by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, and her five grandchildren.