In The News
Magge Smith Diagnosed with Cancer; Prognosis "looks good"
SmithThe Telegraph has reported today that Dame Maggie Smith, known to Potter film fans as Prof. McGonagall, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has had a tumor removed and has undergone a course of chemotherapy; the prognosis “looks good,” a friend of hers told the paper.
Everyone on staff at, and, we’re sure, reading Leaky wishes this fine actress a double measure of luck and health to counteract this difficult turn of events.
You can write to Dame Maggie Smith at Leavesden Studios:
c/o Harry Potter Production
Leavesden Studios
P.O. Box 3000
Leavesden, Hertfordshire
WD25 7LT
United Kingdom
On a related note, for the past few weeks, have been discussing (on PotterCast) releasing a limited-time “pink” version of our holiday charity album, Jingle Spells, to benefit breast cancer research. As this news highlights that issue through a Potter lens, we would appreciate those who would be interested in buying a copy leaving a comment here so that we could get an idea of how many to order and whether it’s a good idea. This would be donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. (I will be taking part in this walk in October; to contribute to the cause please visit this link.) Our Jingle Spells holiday fundraiser brought in more than $34,000, and the donation has been made to Book Aid (expect a full post on this matter shortly); for this run the blue cover art would be turned pink.
(And PS, if you are still having a problem receiving your holiday order of JS, contact me privately, please, as this post isn’t the place to address it. There are probably a few straggling missing orders out there and we want to make sure to get everyone’s.)
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OMG Prof. McGonagall, i hope everything goes well, we love you very much.

Very sorry to hear. May God Bless you… and I do hope everything goes well… we Love You very much.. from the bottom of our hears….

I’d buy it, anything to help. I am so thankful they are saying things look good for her, I hate for anything to happen. She’s the perfect McGonagall

Oh yeah Deff. i buy it, cost dont matter to me i do anything for Prof. McGonagall, i cant wait to see her in the final battle at school.

Very sorry to hear. May God Bless you… and I do hope everything goes well… we Love You very much.. from the bottom of our hears….

I would absolutely buy a copy of JS and additionally, I want to know where I could send Dame maggie a card wishing her a quick recovery? Please put this out there so, all Harry Potter fans can have this to send their personal well wishes. There is no one like Dame Maggie and what she has contributed to British film in general and the Harry Potter series specifically. I couldn’t ever imagine losing someone like her after the series lost the “real” Dumbledore, Richard Harris….....

I’d definitely buy the book.
Good luck to Ms. Smith. I hope all goes well.


Really sorry to hear about Maggie Smith. I’m glad to hear the prognosis is good and hope she has a full recovery!!!!!

I love Maggie Smith and I hope she gets well soon, I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing McGonagall. As a side note, I have to say how much I love Leaky for all the good work that has been done and will be done in the future, I respect you guys so much.

I was sorry to hear about this, and hope that Ms. Smith is feeling better soon.


I would definitely be interested in the cd. Both my mom and my best friend’s mom have been battling breast cancer for over a year now, so I will do anything I can to help!
Also, super congratulations on doing the Avon walk – I did the Breast Cancer 3-Day last year and am planning to walk again this year. It is a huge commitment, but so incredibly worth it! Be proud of yourself – you’re doing a great thing!

I’d be definitely interested in buying a CD to benefit the Avon walk.

Hopefully maggie has a full recovery. As for the cd i would most definatly buy one if its all going to a good cause. Cancer is killing people left right and centre and it about time we did something about it !

Hopefully maggie has a full recovery. As for the cd i would most definatly buy one if its all going to a good cause. Cancer is killing people left right and centre and it about time we did something about it !

I too wish Dame Maggie well. I’d buy a copy of JS, you bet.

I am so glad that it looks like she will be okay. HP can’t suffer another loss. Harris was bad enough. I really hope that she gets better soon and that everything turns out alright. She is brilliant and I want to keep her! If JS starts selling again, even though I already have it, I would probably but a “Pink” copy anyways. This is an important enough cause.


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I’d buy it. This could be the few dollars needed to inch us toward a cure. Anything for Professor M!