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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I would certainly buy a copy of the CD, especially for such a good cause. Best wishes to Dame Maggie and i’ll certainly keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
I teared up when I read this news. I’m glad she will be OK, but cancer is still really scary.
All my best wishes for Dame Maggie for a fast and full recovery.
Awww…I wish her a full and speedy recovery. She truly is the perfect Professor McGonagall. :)
Dame Maggie- my healing thoughts and prayers go out to you. I have had both grandmothers and several great aunts fight and SURVIVE breast cancer. Good luck, take care and stay strong! God bless our one and only Professor Minerva McGonagall!
Oh I wish you godd luck with all my heart Maggie . I know that you will be perfectly all right. :)
Sending healings spells your way, Dame Maggie. We could not have anyone else than you for our dear Minerva McGonagal. Recover quickly.
That’s awful, but I’m glad they caught it early. Maggie Smith is the most awesome person in the HP films! One of the only good things about those films actually.
i hope you aren’t feeling all that bad! You are like the one true mcgonagal! Get well soon!
Am so sorry to hear of her illness. Sincerest good wishes for a fast and full recovery!
I fel so sad for her, but happy at the same time that the prognosis is good. I plan to persona;ly send her a well-wishing note – thanks for putting up that info. Professor M is one of my favorite characters and probably my favorite HP teacher. I hope everything goes well for her and the rest of the cast for the last 3 films.
That was quite a shock when I read it this morning. All my best wishes for a full recovery. Maggie is absolutely the perfect McGonagall and the pinnacle of our acting world.
Maggie Smith in my view is such a wonderful and unique actress. I enjoy every film she has been in since seeing her as Miss Brodie (the Prime of Miss Brodie – must see british classic). I wish her well in her recovery. She must take it easy though especially at her age. I have to say, if it means no more potter films then so be it, they are only movies at the end of the day. I actually think she would want to still make the potter films but her health must come first. Ava Kadvra to those evil cancer cells!
Aww…This is terrible! I hope Maggie has a quick recovery! I will most likely buy a copy of JS!
Dame Maggie Smith in my view is such a wonderful and unique actress. I enjoy every film she has been in since seeing her as Miss Brodie (the Prime of Miss Brodie – must see british classic). I wish her well in her recovery. She must take it easy though especially at her age. I have to say, if it means no more potter films then so be it, they are only movies at the end of the day. I actually think she would want to still make the potter films but her health must come first. Ava Kadvra to those evil cancer cells!
I’m sure she’ll be alright. I’ll pray for her every night
yay for Maggie!
i hope that Dame Maggie come through this as quickly and as easily as possible
i’d buy a pink copy of JS
My heart and prayers go out to Maggie Smith and her family. I was raised on movies like Clash of the Titans, The Secret Garden, and Hook, no one could have played Proffessor McGonagall but you, I wish you well.
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Leaky Poll
Moving the HBP film to July 2009 is:
- Completely unforgivable34 (45%)
- Annoying, but I'll get over it27 (36%)
- Not something I care about.3 (4%)
- Cool; who wants to go to the movies in the winter anyway?1 (1%)
- Awesome! I get to save $10 until next year.3 (4%)
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- I've made a Facebook group, started a protest, called my local councilman, staged a sit-in, started a boycott, and organized a million-fan march because we won't stand for the - wait, what was this about again?2 (2%)
Get Well Soon Dame Maggie Smith! Or better… Get Well Soon Professor!
P.S: Melissa, you spelled her name wrong on the news headline. It should be Maggie not Magge. Just giving you a heads up :)