Dame Maggie Smith, the celebrated British actress known for her extensive work in both stage and film, has passed away at the age of 89.
Smith is best remembered for her iconic roles as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series and as Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
The announcement was made in a statement from her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who revealed that the esteemed actress died peacefully in a hospital early Friday morning, surrounded by her family.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” their statement noted, according to BBC. “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.”
Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England, Smith began her career in theater. While studying at the Oxford Playhouse, she secured major roles in several productions and made her Broadway debut in 1956.
She was invited by founding director Sir Laurence Olivier to become one of the inaugural members of the Royal National Theatre. Her work there solidified her reputation as one of the finest actors of her generation, with notable performances in Othello, Hedda Gabler, Much Ado About Nothing, and Antony and Cleopatra.
In addition to her acclaimed theater career, Smith rose to fame on screen, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the titular teacher in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”. She earned a second Academy Award for the 1978 comedy “California Suite” and received nominations for “Othello”, “Travels with My Aunt”, “A Room with a View”, and “Gosford Park”.
However, for many younger fans, Dame Maggie Smith will forever be remembered as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the stern yet compassionate transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor House in the “Harry Potter” series, a role she reprised in all eight films.
Smith gained renewed fame and critical acclaim for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the popular historical drama “Downton Abbey”. Her work in the series earned her three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, among numerous other honors.
Renowned for her humility, sense of humor, private nature, and dedication to her craft, Smith continued to act well into her later years. Her final films included the two “Downton Abbey” movies and “The Miracle Club”, released last year. Throughout her illustrious career, she received countless accolades, including five BAFTAs, four Emmys, a Tony Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 1970, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her significant contributions to drama.
Rest in peace, legendary Dame Maggie Smith.
