Dame Maggie Smith, one of the most renowned British actresses, known for her work in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89. Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed the tragic news in a statement sent to UK media.
"She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27th,"
They thanked the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during her last days. One of Britain's beloved icons of stage and screen, Smith leaves behind a legacy spanning over six decades, with two Academy Awards and countless other laurels.
Her death marks the end of an era in British cinema, as fans, critics, and colleagues mourn this great loss. Maggie Smith was known for being intensely private, yet at the time of her death, she had close friends and family members around her.
Late actress Maggie Smith's career of unparalleled excellence from stage to screen
Dame Maggie Smith had been acting since her teenage years at Oxford's Playhouse Theatre. She rose to become a leading lady in the theatrical world, with successful venues in London's West End as well as on Broadway. Her remarkable ability to switch between comedy and tragedy has made her one of the most versatile actors of all time.
One of her landmark roles on screen came in 1969 when she received her first Academy Award for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Her portrayal of a dangerously misguided schoolteacher was praised as "perfection in a role that displays her perfection as a performer," according to New York Magazine.
She won her second Oscar in 1978 for California Suite, playing a British actress suffering from fears and insecurities inflicted by her career and personal life. On the stage, she depicted a blend of intensity and comedy.
Playwright Alan Bennett said of Dame Maggie Smith:
"The boundary between laughter and tears is where Maggie is poised always."
Tellingly, she was one of the founding members of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre in 1963, which helped solidify her place in the firmament of Britain's acting elite. Her talent shone in plays like Hedda Gabler, The Beaux' Stratagem, and Lettice and Lovage, for which she received a Tony Award in 1990.
Maggie Smith's global fame with Harry Potter and Downton Abbey
While Maggie Smith’s theatre career has been remarkable, her international recognition and a new generation of fans came from her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Since 2001, she portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in eight films of the Harry Potter franchise.
Her portrayal of an intimidating yet caring professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry elevated her to international fame, with fans praising her ability to blend warmth, authority, and humor in the role.
In Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith brought to life Violet Crawley, the sharp-witted Dowager Countess of Grantham. Running from 2010 to 2015, the series gained worldwide attention.
Critics often referred to her as the scene-stealer of the show, with The Guardian going so far as to call her "the heart and soul" of the period drama. She received three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Her iconic roles, of course, go beyond those two series. Films such as Sister Act, Gosford Park, The Lady in the Van, and many more left a lasting impression. No doubt, she became one of the most beloved figures not only in Britain but worldwide.
You can watch Maggie Smith's iconic roles in Downton Abbey on streaming platforms like Netflix, while the Harry Potter series is available on Max.
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