Dame Maggie Smith has passed away at the age of 89, her family has said today (September 27). The beloved actress was most recently best known for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter film adaptions, as well as playing Violet Crawley in the series of Downton Abbey.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens confined the news in a statement today: “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 had a glittering acting career, which began in 1952 playing Viola in Twelfth Night at the Oxford Playhouse. She went on to win two Oscars – for Best Actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and for Best Supporting Actress in California Suite (1978) – and was nominated for four more, as well as winning eight BAFTA awards (the first of which came in 1958 for Nowhere To Go). Her most recent Oscar nomination was for Gosford Park (2001) at the 2002 Academy Awards.
Her role as the sharp-talking, big-hearted Minerva McGonagall in the eight Harry Potter films is one of the most memorable aspects of the films – with lines including “Why is it when something happens, it is always you three?” giving us all a healthy reminder of school scolding.
She most recently starred in 2023 picture The Miracle Club, following a group of working-class women from Dublin as they head on a pilgrimage to France.
RIP Maggie Smith (December 28, 1934 – September 27, 2024).