By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-27 13:51:38 | Updated at 2024-09-30 13:35:52
2 days ago
Oscar-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith died in hospital this morning aged 89.
The British star was known for prominent roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, and her Academy Award-winning performance in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
Her children, Widow Clicquot actor Chris Larkin, and Die Another Day star Toby Stephens, announced her death in a statement issued this afternoon.
They said: '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.
Dame Maggie Smith appears in the 2005 film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Dame Maggie Smith arrives for the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in London on July 7, 2011
Dame Maggie Smith played the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey
Dame Maggie Smith attending the 2022 Wimbledon Championships on July 9, 2022
'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.'
Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, she was an internationally recognised actress for much of her life after playing the fanatical teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
She also won over Harry Potter fans later in life, when she appeared in the film series as the quick-witted, kind and formidable Professor McGonagall.
And in 2010 she was central to the success of ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-award winning role as the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play in the films.
Among the first to pay tribute was her friend Gyles Brandreth , who said: 'The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era and a quite extraordinary life.
'She was a truly great actress, 'one of the greats' and simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way and consequently irreplaceable.'
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Dame Maggie Smith attending the Royal and World Premiere of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London on February 17, 2015
Maggie Smith alongside Miriam Margolyes, Richard Harris and Alan Rickman in 2002 film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Dame Maggie Smith is made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on October 17, 2014
Dame Maggie Smith attends the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at held at the London Coliseum on November 24, 2019
Dame Maggie Smith in the royal box at the Wimbledon Championships on July 11, 2019
Dame Maggie Smith at the Evening Standards Drama Awards in London on November 28, 1997
Dame Maggie Smith in a photocall for her play The Lady From Dubuque at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on March 12, 2007
Ralph Fiennes presents Dame Maggie Smith with a Bafra award for Best Supporting Actress for the film 'Tea With Mussolini' at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on April 9, 2000
Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench during rehearsals for their play 'The Breath of Life' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on October 9, 2002
Dame Maggie Smith arriving for a Royal Film Performance of Ladies In Lavender at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on November 8, 2004
Dame Maggie Smith rehearsing for Peter Pan with Dave Allen in an undated photograph
Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench arriving at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London on December 9, 2001
Queen Elizabeth II being presented to Dame Maggie Smith by Sir Laurence Olivier, when the Queen attended the charity premiere of the film Othello at the Odeon Theatre in London, on May 2, 1966
Dame Maggie Smith and Paul Scofield at London's Hilton Hotel where they picked up their awards from the Variety Club of Great Britain at it's 35th Annual showbusiness awards luncheon on February 3, 1987
Dame Maggie Smith arriving for the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on July 7, 2011
Dame Maggie Smith and her partner Beverley Cross on November 24, 1995
Dame Maggie Smith kisses Rupert Grint as they arrive for the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on July 7, 2009
Dame Maggie Smith arriving at the premiere of Gosford Park at the Ziegfield theatre in New York City n December 14, 2001
Jill Bennett, Tom Jones and Maggie Smith (left to right) with their silver hearts showbusiness awards from the Variety Club of Great Britain at the Savoy Hotel in London on March 11, 1969
