Renowned British actress Dame Maggie Smith passes away at the age of 89
Legendary British actress Maggie Smith, whose illustrious career spanned over six decades across stage, film, and television, has passed away at the age of 89.
Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed the news in a statement to the Press Association.
Smith appeared in over 50 films and was highly revered as one of the UK’s most celebrated actresses. Known for captivating audiences across generations, she portrayed iconic roles such as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and the sharp-witted Dowager Countess of Grantham in the hit television show “Downton Abbey.”
Throughout her career, Smith amassed an impressive collection of awards, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award. She was honored as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990 for her contributions to British theater and film.
Born in Ilford, Essex, Smith moved to Oxford at the age of 4.
Her father, a public health pathologist, worked at Oxford University, where she attended school before leaving at 16 to pursue acting.
She made her stage debut with the Oxford University Drama Society in 1952, and by 1965, she had earned her first Oscar nomination for “Othello.”
She won her first Academy Award for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and a second in 1979 for “California Suite.”
In later years, Smith gained even greater international fame with her roles in “Harry Potter” (2001-2011) and “Downton Abbey” (2010-2015), which garnered her multiple Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
Smith’s remarkable career cemented her legacy as one of the most distinguished and beloved actresses of her time.
