Dame Maggie Smith’s famous son previously made a heartbreaking prediction that he would never work alongside her. Toby Stephens is best known for taking on the villainous role of , while his mum is known for roles in the likes of and .
Speaking about why he would never work with his mum, the actor told the Daily Mail: “I have a policy with my mum — we both kind of think that the family acting thing is a bit naff,” he says. “I cringe when I see that someone obviously thought, ‘Hey, we’re both actors, why don’t we do something together?'”
He also touched on what Dame Maggie was like as a grandmother, as he added: “She loves, really loves, being around them. She was stern with me but around them she is a real softie.
“That’s the privilege of being a grandparent — they can indulge the children while parents have to be the bad guy. Grandparents can also be subversive and naughty with them. And she certainly is.”
Tom was born to and her first husband, actor Sir Robert Stephens – meaninf that he virtually grew up on the stage. His parents divorced when he was four and he travelled the world to wherever his mother was working.
Maggie Smith has a famous son (Image: Getty)
Maggie sadly died surrounded by family and friends on September 27, aged 89.
At the time of her death, in a statement issued via their publicist, the Dame’s sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27.
Don’t miss… [UPDATE]
Maggie’s son Toby is also an actor (Image: Getty)
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”