Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy in theHarryPotterfilms, has died. She was 52.
The British actress’s husband, actorDamian Lewis, made the announcement on Twitter in a short and loving statement on Friday.
“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives,” he continued. “She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”
“I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being,” Murphy, 44. said. “She was also a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played.”
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“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,” he continued. “My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family.”
She was initially cast as Bellatrix Lestrange inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbut had to leave the project due to being pregnant. Director David Yates then cast her as Narcissa Malfoy in the final threeHarry Potterfilms.
Harry Potterauthor J.K. Rowling also remembered the actress on Twitter, writing, “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.”
Helen McCrory, Damian Lewis.Mike Marsland/WireImage
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In 2017, McCrory was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services in drama.
Prince Charles’s Princes Trust charity commemorated the actress on Friday, tweeting a photo of McCrory, Lewis and the prince from its account, “We are so sad to hear of the passing of our treasured celebrity Ambassador Helen McCrory, who gave so much energy and passion to help us continue changing young lives. Our thoughts are with Damian Lewis and their family at this time.”
McCrory also had roles in Martin Scorsese’sHugoas Mama Jeanne and in the 2012 James Bond filmSkyfallas Claire Dowar.
In 2006, she played Cherie Blair, a British lawyer and wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Oscar-winning filmThe Queenstarring Helen Mirren.
In July 2007, McCrory married Lewis after they met on the production ofFive Gold Ringsat London’s Almeida Theatre in 2003, according toThe Guardian.
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The couple has two children, daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.
McCrory toldWoman’s Weeklythat meeting Lewis was love at first sight, saying, “He just made me laugh a lot. And still does.”
In 2020, McCrory and Lewis focused their efforts on fundraising money for meals to provide National Health Service staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, according toThe Guardian. Their work led to almost £1 million (about $1.3 million) in donations to Feed NHS.
source: people.com
