Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress known for her roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey”, has passed away at the age of 89, her family announced. A towering figure in British theater and film, Dame Maggie’s career spanned eight decades, during which she won two Academy Awards—for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1970) and “California Suite” (1979)—and earned six additional Oscar nominations, along with eight Bafta awards.
Dame Maggie’s sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement expressing their sorrow: “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 27th September. 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.” They thanked “the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days”. They added: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Born in Essex in 1934, Dame Maggie gained early acclaim for her stage and screen performances. One of her most memorable roles was that of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” films, where she became beloved by fans for her sharp, no-nonsense portrayal and was famous for her pointed witch’s hat and stern manner with the young wizards at Hogwarts. Equally memorable was her performance as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in ITV’s “Downton Abbey”, where her character’s witty one-liners became iconic.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Dame Maggie “was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come”. He added, she “introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
Hugh Bonneville, her “Downton Abbey” co-star, paid tribute, saying, “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit, and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
Over the course of her illustrious career, Dame Maggie worked with some of the greatest names in British theater and film. She received her first Oscar nomination in 1965 for her role as Desdemona in “Othello”, directed by Laurence Olivier, and starred in classics such as “A Room With a View” (1985), which brought her another Oscar nomination.
Her final film appearance was in 2023’s “The Miracle Club,” co-starring Kathy Bates and Laura Linney, which followed a group of women on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Dame Maggie’s legacy as one of the greatest actresses of her time is sure to live on in the hearts of those who cherished her work, both on stage and on screen.
Melissa Enoch
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