Dame Maggie Smith has passed away at age 89. This is according to a statement from Maggie Smith’s sons, shared by their publicist Clair Dobbs.
Photos: IMDB / “Downton Abbey” / “Harry Potter”
“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,” it reads. “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.”
A celebrated British actress, Maggie Smith had a remarkable career spanning decades. She initially gained international recognition in 1964, starring opposite Laurence Olivier in the Broadway production of “Othello.” The following year, she reprised her role in the acclaimed film adaptation.
Maggie Smith’s talent was further celebrated in 1969 when she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” Later in her career, Maggie Smith delighted audiences with her iconic roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the British historical drama, “Downton Abbey.”
