Legendary Actress Who Starred In ‘Harry Potter’ And ‘Downton Abbey’ Passed Away

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Dame Maggie Smith, one of the most popular British actresses, passed away. She was 89. According to CNN, her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, shared a statement.

“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. 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.”

Maggie Smith, born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England. She was one of the most distinguished and celebrated British actresses. With a career spanning over seven decades, she has received numerous awards for her work on stage, screen, and television, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, and four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Smith began her acting career in the 1950s in theater, quickly rising to prominence in the Royal National Theatre and West End. She earned her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and won a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in California Suite (1978).

One of her most iconic roles in more recent years has been as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, which introduced her to a new generation of fans. She also gained further acclaim for her portrayal of the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in the hit series Downton Abbey, which earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Maggie Smith was married twice. Her first marriage was to actor Robert Stephens, but they divorced in 1974. She later married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975, and they remained together until his death in 1998.

Smith leaves behind her two sons and five grandchilden.

Rest In Peace.