Maggie Smith’s son has opened up about his late mother in an emotional tribute.
The Hollywood legend tragically passed away in September last year at the age of 89, with her family sharing a heart-wrenching statement. Dame Maggie Smith, renowned for her iconic roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films, left an indelible mark on the industry. Five months later, her son Toby Stephens, a well-known actor in his own right, has opened up about the heartbreaking final moments of the beloved actress, revealing his one regret.
At the time of her passing, her family shared that Maggie died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by loved ones. They expressed their devastation over the loss and extended their gratitude to the NHS staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and support.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Toby, who has starred in films such as Die Another Day and Jane Eyre, reflected on his mum’s lasting legacy, and admitted he was deeply moved by the overwhelming response to her passing.
“Obviously I knew that she was extraordinary,” Stephens, 55, says, “but the response was incredibly moving. And the thing that really got me was: it’s very rare that you have actors that everyone likes. And she had spent her life not thinking of herself like that, which is very winning.”
Unfortunately, Toby wasn’t there when the actress had passed away, as he was out of the country at the time. Despite being hesitant to take on a role in Marama, a new Maori Gothic revenge horror set in Victorian England in 1859, Toby had to film in New Zealand. Initially, he didn’t want to go due to Maggie’s health, especially since she had stopped working in 2023. However, she encouraged him to go.
Toby recalls how, during her final years, Maggie’s health would often fluctuate. When he mentioned the film project to her, she quickly reassured him, urging him to go and telling him not to worry, as she was fine.
Although the Downton Abbey star, passed away while he was away, the actor was certain his mum wouldn’t have held it against him.
He felt everything had already been said, having been by her side for two years, and he was certain she would have wanted him to finish the job. “I’d spent hours and days sitting with her at home and in hospital over the course of two years, and there was nothing I had left unsaid,” he stressed.
Dame Maggie Smith’s funeral was laid to rest at an intimate funeral last November which took place at Mortlake Crematorium in Kew, London. The beloved actress has two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, with her first husband, actor Robert Stephens. The couple married in 1967 and got divorced in 1973.
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