The legendary scene-stealing actor from Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Dame Maggie Smith, died at the age of 89 on Friday, September 27, her sons confirmed through a publicist.
The news was confirmed by her sons, Chris Larkins and Toby Stephens, while the statement was released through the publicist, Clair Dobbs.
According to the statement released, Smith died peacefully in a hospital in London, early Friday surrounded by friends and family.
“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,” the statement read.
“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,” it added.
Smith is one of Britain's best-known actresses, whose wit and fierceness pierced through the screens of audiences. Her extensive career allowed her to portray a diverse range of characters, which allowed her to stay on top, even in the later years.
She was most known for her roles as the Dowager countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey”; Professor Minerva McGonagall in “Harry Potter”; and the charismatic Edinburgh schoolteacher, Jean Brodie, in the award-winning 1969 film, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.”
Although known for her impatience and sharp personality, Smith was deemed as a national treasure by the late Queen Elizabeth II. In 1990, she was made a Dame of Commander of the British Empire, a title equivalent to that of a knight.
The esteemed actress began her career in the 1950s and went on until 2023.
