Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is mourning the sad death of his co-star Dame Maggie Smith. The two starred in the Harry Potter series, where Radcliffe began his acting career. Smith died Friday at the age of 89 due to long-standing health problems.

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Radcliffe mourns Smith

The 35-year-old actor recalled the first time he found out Smith would be his co-star. Radcliffe said in a statement to Page Six on Friday: “When I first met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job.” Didn’t know about his co-star or her work at the time. However, Radcliffe’s parents were “in awe” that he would like to work with her on his debut film.

He recalled: “The other thing I knew about her was that she was a lady, so the first thing I asked her when we met was, ‘Would you like me to call you a lady?'” To which she replied, laughing and said something similar to this: “Don’t be ridiculous.”

The Woman in Black actor recalled being “nervous” about meeting Smith, only to be immediately “calmed” by her with her words and presence. He told the media outlet: “She was incredibly nice to me on that shoot and then I was lucky enough to work with her on the ‘Harry Potter’ films for another ten years.”

He described the Downtown Abbey star as a woman with a “fierce intellect” and a “delightfully sharp tongue.” Radcliffe added: “(Maggie) could intimidate and charm at the same time and, as anyone will tell you, was extremely funny.”

Radcliffe expressed his gratitude for the late actor, saying, “I will always feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to work with her and spend time with her on set.” The word “legend” is used often, but when referring to someone in applies to our industry, then it applies to you too. “Thank you, Maggie.”

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Harry Potter’s beloved Professor Minerva McGonagall

The late actor was part of all eight installments of Harry Potter, based on author JK Rowling’s novels of the same name, and played the character of Professor Minerva McGonagall. Her family confirmed that she died “peacefully in hospital,” but the cause of death was not revealed.

Her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, whom she shared with ex-husband Robert Stephens, released a statement saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.” A very private person, she was at her wits’ end with friends and family.” They added that Smith’s sons and five grandchildren are “devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

She was known for her role in Downtown Abbey, which earned her three Emmy Awards. She also won two Oscars, three Golden Globes and a Tony Award. In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Smith a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.