Actress Dame Maggie Smith, famous for her roles in the Harry Potter series and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89, according to her family. A renowned figure in British theatre and cinema, she earned two Academy Awards—one for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and another for California Suite in 1979. Throughout her career, she garnered four additional Oscar nominations and received eight BAFTA awards.
Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement saying, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. She died peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, 27th September, surrounded by family and close friends. A private person by nature, she leaves behind two sons and five adoring grandchildren, all heartbroken by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and compassion during her final days. We deeply appreciate your kind words and support and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Hugh Bonneville, her co-star on Downton Abbey, paid tribute, saying, “Anyone who had the privilege of acting alongside Maggie knows her sharp intellect, quick wit, and extraordinary talent. She was a true icon of her era, and her brilliant work on screen will endure. My deepest sympathies go out to her sons and extended family.”
Maggie Smith began her career in theatre and received her first BAFTA nomination for the 1958 film Nowhere to Go. In 1963, she was cast as Desdemona by Laurence Olivier in his production of Othello at the National Theatre, a role she reprised in the 1965 film adaptation, which earned her an Oscar nomination.
