Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89. The legendary actress starred in over 50 films throughout her career and earned two Academy Awards. For many fans, she was recognized as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise and Violet Crawley in the Downtown Abbey series. She also appeared on the stage frequently throughout her career.
Her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin shared the news through publicist Clair Dobbs saying, “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. 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.”
Maggie Smith was born in 1934 in Ilford, England. She made her stage debut in 1952 when she portrayed Violet in Twelfth Night. This began a career that would continue for seven decades. She first appeared on the silver screen in an uncredited role in Child in the House in 1956. In 1959, she had a larger role in Nowhere to Go. Her first Academy Award would be in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie a decade later. She earned her second one nearly a decade later for California Suite. As the years went on, she would win a Tony Award and be made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II.
In the 1990s, she appeared in several popular films including Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit as Mother Superior, Hook as Wendy, and Lady Hester in Tea with Mussolini. In the early 2000s, she found herself on the silver screen again in the original Harry Potter movies. She portrayed the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor and teacher of transfiguration. She appeared in 8 films in this role.
Throughout her career, Maggie Smith brought many characters to life and endeared herself to fans of many different generations. She once said about her roles, “I tend to head for what’s amusing because a lot of things aren’t happy. But usually you can find a funny side to practically anything.”
Smith was married to Robert Stephens from 1867 until 1975 when they divorced. Together they had sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin. She married Beverley Cross in 1975. They remained together until his death in 1998. Smith is survived by her sons and five grandchildren.
