The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at the age of 89. Renowned for her iconic roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Smith’s remarkable career spanned over six decades in film, television, and theatre.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens shared a statement on Friday that she had passed away at Westminster Hospital.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 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.
“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 Margaret Natalie Smith in Ilford, London, on 28 December 1934, Smith began her acting career in the 1950s on the stage. She adopted the name “Maggie” to distinguish herself from another actress with the same name. Her early rise to fame came with an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Othello (1965). She later won her first Oscar for Best Actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), and later added a second for Best Supporting Actress in California Suite (1978).
Smith earned the rare achievement of a “triple crown” of acting, with two Academy Awards, four Emmys, and a Tony for her work in Lettice and Lovage (1990). She was made a Dame in 1990 for her contributions to the arts.
Though highly regarded for her stage and screen work, Smith became a household name for younger audiences through her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and as the formidable Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.
She is survived by her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, both of whom followed in her acting footsteps.
