By Mark Gray
5:44am PDT, Apr 19, 2021
British stage and screen actress Helen McCrory — who was perhaps best known for her work as Polly Gray on "Peaky Blinders" and Narcissa Malfoy in three "Harry Potter" films — passed away at 52 after a brave cancer battle, husband Damian Lewis announced on April 16, 2021. The news left co-stars, colleagues, friends and Hollywood fans stunned and devastated. See what dozens of celebrities had to say about the woman they knew or admired, starting with Helen's on-screen son, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy… "So sad to say farewell so suddenly – I never took the chance to tell her , but she helped shape me as a person so much – on & off screen – She was always relentlessly herself- razor sharp wit – silver tongued – kind & warm hearted – she suffered no fools yet had time for everyone – thank you for lighting the way forward & holding my hand when I needed it xx," he shared on Instagram.
Keep reading to read what on-screen husband Jason Isaacs (pictured, as Lucius Malfoy) had to say about Helen, how her "Peaky Blinders" cast is mourning her, to read her husband's heartbreaking statement and more…
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"Decades ago Helen and I auditioned together for a film. I came home and said to [my wife] Emma 'I think I've just met the greatest actress I've ever seen.' After years of watching her mesmerize audiences I don't think that any more…I know it. Luckily, I eventually found out that she was also scabrously funny, shockingly naughty and with an empathetic heart the size of a planet. As continually starstruck as I was on the Harry Potter films, being screen-married to and giggle with the great Helen McCrory will always be a highlight. Her proudest achievement, though, was building and loving the family that was her bedrock. They've lost so much and I send all my love to Damian and the kids. xxx" –"Harry Potter" co-star and on-screen husband Jason Isaacs
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"I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. She was also a gifted actor — fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played. It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family." –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Cillian Murphy
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"I truly couldn't believe this news when I heard it. Helen was one of the most incredible actors I got to work with on the Harry Potter films. She was effortlessly commanding and captivating as an actor, as well as being kind, generous and incredibly good fun as a person. Also, as it happens, she's one of the absolute coolest people I've ever met, in that I can't ever imagine her being flustered or nervous, she always seemed totally assured of who she was and what she was doing. She was a supreme talent and a wonderful person and will be very greatly missed." –"Harry Potter" co-star Daniel Radcliffe
"A great actress and a great person. this is so very very sad" –"The Queen" co-star Helen Mirren
"I'm heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family. She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you." –Helen's husband, Damian Lewis
In addition to his heartbreaking announcement about her death, Helen's husband, Damian Lewis, penned a beautiful tribute essay about her for Britain's The Sunday Times that ran on April 18. In it, he wrote, in part, "Many people have spoken about her career and many more will, so that's where I'll leave it, because it strikes me that two things are happening this weekend: an outpouring of grief and shock, and a celebration of Helen McCrory the actress from fans everywhere, and of Helen the person. And that's who I want to talk about." He continued, "Helen was an even more brilliant person than she was an actress. She was a people person, sure. 'I'm much more interested in who I'm with than where I am,' she would say, and innately wanted to share. But she also lived by the principle of kindness and generosity. That you put these things out into the world to make it better, to make people feel better." He also shared, "Even when dying in her last few days, when talking to our wonderful carers, she repeatedly said, 'thank you so much' in her half delirious state. I've never known anyone able to enjoy life as much. Her ability to be in the present and enjoy the moment was inspirational. Nor was she interested in navel-gazing. No real interest in self- reflection; she believed in looking out, not in. Which is why she was able to turn her light so brightly on others." Of his and Helen's two children, the "Billions" and "Homeland" actor wrote, "They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother. She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid."
"I'm devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who's left us far too soon. My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Simply heartbreaking news." –"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling
"I am devastated. Helen McCrory wore her immense talent with unparalleled grace and wit and heart. I worked with her when I was 19 and she was already one of the greatest actresses we have ever had. And kind. And naughty. And warm. The absolute best.So much love to her family and such a loss to everyone. Go well, you beautiful,brilliant soul. You will be dreadfully missed." –"Uncovered" co-star Kate Beckinsale
"Can't get my head around this, I'm thinking of Helen McCrory's family and sending them love. Such a beautiful, regal woman. I only met her a handful of times on the Potter sets and the occasional press junket but she was such a huge presence in every room – so vivacious, kind, warm and fun. If you weren't secretly obsessed with her you just weren't paying attention. I remember googling her all evening after one particular junket to try and learn all about where she'd trained and studied because I wanted to learn how to radiate strength like that. But I don't think her presence was something you could imitate, she was just a force. My dad also reminded me how she spent ages talking to him about Irish history on one of the press days, how curious and engaged she was to talk about whatever it was that lit a person up. I feel so lucky to have got to spend some time in her presence, to see how she held herself and how she worked. That moment in Deathly Hallows where Narcissa has the pivotal task of checking on Harry, where the future of the magical world hinges on a mother's love, always makes me tear up – she did it so beautifully. Rest in peace ❤️" –"Harry Potter" co-star Evanna Lynch
"Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Helen's passing. She was extraordinary. One of the greats. My thoughts go out to Damian, Manon and Gulliver." –"Harry Potter" co-star David Thewlis
"So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special. It was an honour to work with her and know her. Much love to Damian and her family. Heartbreaking." –"The Special Relationship" and "The Queen" (pictured) co-star Michael Sheen
"God she was so f****** cool though. It is entirely senseless and brutal to lose Helen, she was an extraordinary and remarkable person. Quite shockingly talented. What a privilege to have worked with her these past years, I can't overstate how much I admired her. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. Our Pol. What a heavy loss. We will miss her so dearly. 🖤" –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Sophie Rundle
"I did my first job with Helen. It was at the National Theatre in Stephen Beresford's the Last of the Haussmanns. I played a teenage boy who was besotted with her. It wasn't difficult; she was kind, funny, awe-inspiringly talented and was full of so much life. I bumped into her and Damian many times over the past ten or so years and she was always the same; full of warmth, cheekiness and fun. I will always remember the scenes we shared in that play. She helped make me a better actor. She was amazing. Condolences to her family." –Taron Egerton
"So heartbroken by this news of the great Helen McCrory. She was an honest, true, talented and powerful legend. I grew up watching her work and like many, fell in love with her even more (which I thought was impossible) when she starred in Peaky Blinders. She's an actress the industry raves about easily. On and off camera, she's the one. A great performer. A beautiful soul. A role model to any who crossed paths with her. What a lady. So utterly sad to her of her passing, RIP Helen." –Florence Pugh
"Helen McCrory. Thank you for all you have done. For all that you brought. And all you have left. You have been a teacher. A guide. A leader. An inspiration. And a friend, to so many. Any time I was ever fortunate enough to see your face across a crowded room, I felt ok. You were such a strong presence. Such a gifted and versatile actor. Such a kind and generous person. And you will be missed. Love and strength to you and yours x" –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Sam Claflin
"The most powerful life force. The most ferocious and commanding actress. I learnt so much watching you work, watching you light up the room with your intelligence and wit. Your laughter infectious. Thank you for the whiskey fulled rehearsals late into the night. Thank you for showing me that it's okay to not take s***. You will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to Damien, your children and the entire family.💔" –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Annabelle Wallis
"Mother, wife, and an all round amazing role model. A force of nature [whose advice] I'll carry forever. From day 1 on Peaky I felt blessed, and I will always aspire to be as awesome as Helen McCrory. Thank you mum. Rest easy x" –Finn Cole, her on-screen son on "Peaky Blinders"
"Helen McCrory was fearless and brilliant. Her talent astounded me . She was a shining light and is so still." –Elizabeth McGovern
"Blindsided by this. Helen was a force of nature and just so f****** great in ALL ways." –"The Last King" co-star Rufus Sewell
"Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity. She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. What a tremendous loss." –Matt Lucas
"This beautiful, great and mighty actress has gone. Peace be with you and yours" –Sharon Stone
"Goodbye .Devastated my friend #HelenMcCrory died today . That brilliant woman- the greatest of actors. I so loved our time on #PeakyBlinders . She was witty , kind , skilled . Riotously funny .. and so damn cool. So young. Heartbroken for Damien +her family." –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Sam Neill
"They don't make many like this one, let me tell you. I feel incredibly lucky to have known and been inspired by her. Thank you for all the laughs and the memories Helen. You were an incredible talent and one in a million. My love and thoughts go out to Helen's family and those closest to her. RIP Helen McCrory ❤️" –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Joe Cole
"By all accounts, Helen McCrory was a remarkable woman. By any reckoning, she was an actress of great power and vulnerability. Very sad to hear of her passing." –Michael McKean
"We are devastated to hear of the passing of the extraordinarily talented and gracious Helen McCrory. We were honoured to have worked with her on Skyfall and send our heartfelt condolences to Damian, Manon and Gulliver." –James Bond film franchise producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli
"Awful news about Helen McCrory. A sublime talent, and, from the couple of brief moments our paths crossed whilst battling Hogwarts, a very lovely person. 52 is no age. Xxx" –"Harry Potter" franchise co-star Chris Rankin
"Helen McCrory was an outstanding talent . One of the finest actors of this generation . Didn't want this to be true . What a loss. Rest in Peace" –Kathryn Drysdale
Utterly heart breaking, what a loss. Every actor looks & looked up to Helen McCrory – so brilliant and gripping and transformative and those who knew her as a friend really loved her. On Quiz last year & she was just so bloody cool, with funny anecdotes & stories and worrying about remembering all her lines. I could not believe that THE Helen McCrory was pacing up & down, worried about lines, she was so down to earth & openly vulnerable, all for the craft & being as good as possible. Then we watched her in the courtroom pretty much do a one woman monologue and be incredibly excellent and not forget a thing. #RIPHelenMcCrory Thoughts go out to her family and friends xxx" –Aisling Bea
"Filming without Helen McCrory has been so difficult. Her passing away today is a real shock. She was a dear friend. She was humane, intelligent, unflinching, and a fighter to the end. A truly amazing woman. I'm speechless. I'm going offline." –"Peaky Blinders" co-star Benjamin Zephaniah
'I've just heard about #HelenMcCrory , what a monumental loss to us , to the Arts , but mostly of course, to her family. She was luminous. So very sad . Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam" –Maria Doyle Kennedy
"Helen McCrory was unique. A really wonderful gifted playful spirit. Thoughts are with Damian and the family. You will be sorely missed." –Rupert Graves
"Helen McCrory. RIP You commanded my attention every time I saw you on the screen. IDK who took this photo but it really captured her essence on @ThePeakyBlinder" –Bob Harper
