London: The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, renowned for her outstanding roles in the ‘Harry Potter’ films and ‘Downton Abbey.’ She passed away at the age of 89.
On Friday, Maggie took her final breath at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. The sad news was relayed by her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephen, who did not disclose the cause of her passing.
In their heartfelt statement, Maggie’s sons expressed, “With profound sorrow, we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, September 27, surrounded by friends and family. As a deeply private individual, she left us touched by her extraordinary spirit. She is survived by two sons and five beloved grandchildren who are reeling from the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother.”
They also extended gratitude to the dedicated staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their compassionate care in her final days. They thanked those who offered messages of support and requested privacy during this difficult time.
Maggie’s artistic journey began on stage at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952, paving the way for her professional Broadway debut in ‘New Faces of 56.’ Over the years, she established herself as a leading figure in British theater alongside fellow legend Judi Dench, gracing the stages of the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
She garnered Tony Award nominations for her performances in Noël Coward’s ‘Private Lives’ and Tom Stoppard’s ‘Night and Day,’ ultimately winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1990 for ‘Lettice and Lovage.’ That same year, she received the honor of being knighted by Queen Elizabeth, officially becoming Dame, a title bestowed upon distinguished women in the British honors system and other Commonwealth realms.
In the years that followed, Maggie emerged as a significant figure in film, earning Academy Awards for Best Actress for her role in ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ in 1969 and for Best Supporting Actress in ‘California Suite.’ She also received a nomination for the 1965 cult classic ‘Othello’ directed by Stuart Burge. Her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ series solidified her status as a household name, and she further captivated audiences with her role as Violet Crawley in the beloved 2010 drama ‘Downton Abbey.’