Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress known for her remarkable career across film, television, and stage, has passed away at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her peaceful death in a statement on Friday, September 27.
“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” the statement read. “She passed away early that morning.”
Maggie Smith, whose career spanned more than seven decades, began acting as a teenager in her hometown of Oxford. She won her first Academy Award in 1969 for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and went on to become a household name in both the UK and around the world.
In recent years, she gained widespread acclaim for her roles as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey and the wise Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, endearing her to new generations of fans.
Dame Maggie’s contribution to the arts has left an indelible mark on cinema and theatre, and she will be remembered as one of Britain’s most beloved actresses.
