Dame Maggie Smith, beloved for her work in the hugely successful Harry Potter films and popular Downton Abbey television series, died today. She was 89.
Among her numerous stage and film credits, Smith appeared in the Orson Welles-directed 1960 London stage production of Rhinoceros and co-starred with him three years later in the movie The V.I.P.s.
A legend of British stage and screen, she won two Oscars during her career for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979. She had four other nominations, and received eight Bafta awards.
Leading the tributes, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Smith “was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”
Her final roles included 2023’s The Miracle Club, which follows a group of women from Dublin who go on a pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes, co-starring Kathy Bates and Laura Linney.
She is survived by two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens from her marriage to actor Robert Stephens. She was later married to playwright Alan Beverley Cross until his death in 1998.
In a statement, her sons wrote: “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.”
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