“I Can’t Believe I Worked With the One-of-a-Kind Maggie Smith”: Whoopi Goldberg Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Co-Star

Whoopi Goldberg paid a heartfelt tribute to her beloved co-star, Maggie Smith, following the legendary actress’s passing at the age of 89 on September 27, 2024. Smith, best known for her iconic role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, was also remembered for her work alongside Goldberg in the hit movie Sister Act.

In an emotional Instagram post, Goldberg shared a photo of the two actresses from their time working together on the classic 1992 comedy. She captioned the picture with deep admiration for her co-star, writing, “Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress.” She went on to reflect on how fortunate she felt to have collaborated with the two-time Grammy Award winner. “I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with the ‘one-of-a-kind.’ My heartfelt condolences go out to the family…RIP,” Goldberg added.

The Sister Act star has openly shared her grief since Smith’s passing, revealing in an appearance on the talk show Loose Women how difficult it has been to move forward with the upcoming third installment of the Sister Act franchise without Smith by her side. “I just can’t do it with anybody but you. We don’t want to do it without you, Maggie,” Goldberg confessed, emphasizing the bond they had developed on set, told The Associate.

Goldberg’s relationship with Smith extended beyond their on-screen partnership. In her memoir Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, the actress recounted a poignant memory of Smith providing her with immense support following the death of her mother. “For the next five hours, Maggie sat with me and let me talk her ear off, telling stories about my mom, my growing-up years, and my brother. We laughed a lot,” Goldberg wrote, describing how Smith’s kindness had helped her through one of the most difficult times of her life.

“I don’t know if I was in shock. I had never been in shock before,” Goldberg continued. “I don’t think I cried. I didn’t feel anything except a big wave of kindness from Maggie.” The admiration and love Goldberg held for Smith were evident in her closing words: “I’ve got to say, she is one of those people for whom I would do anything. Anything Maggie Smith needs, I got her covered.” Maggie Smith leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only as a distinguished actress but also as a deeply cherished friend and colleague.