British Actress Maggie Smith Dies at 89

(SPOT.ph) British actress Maggie Smith, known for her work on the Harry Potter franchise and Downton Abbey, has passed away on September 27, 2024. She was 89.

Actress Maggie Smith passed away at 89

According to her family's statement as reported on BBC, the actress passed away peacefully. Her two sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin survives her, along with five grandhildren.

"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."

"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."

Also read: Original Harry Potter Cover Art Up for Auction at Sotheby's

Maggie Smith's notable roles

Smith was best known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the erudite teacher keeping careful watch over the students of House Gryffindor in Hogwarts in the Harry Potter franchise. Prior to her role of the esteemed wizard, Smith already had notable roles under her belt, in films such as Othello (1965), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), Travels with My Aunt (1972), California Suite (1978), A Room with a View (1986), and Gosford Park (2001). She garnered Oscar nominations for all aforementioned films.

Her more recent work on the big screen includes The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, its sequel The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Miracle Club.

In the realm of television, she was most known for bringing Violet Crawley,
Dowager Countess of Grantham to life in Downton Abbey, which spawned a film of the same name and a sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Also read: 10 Ways the Downton Abbey Movie Is Even Better Than the Show