Beloved Actress Dame Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89

Renowned British actress Dame Maggie Smith, who captured the hearts of audiences across generations with her diverse roles and stunning performances, sadly passed away early this morning, September 27, 2024. Smith died peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by her family, at the age of 89.

Dame Maggie Smith is best known for her iconic characters, including Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. With a career that spanned over fifty years, Smith’s legacy will undoubtedly endure.

Maggie Smith passes away at the age of 89

The news of Maggie Smith’s passing was confirmed by her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, in a statement released by publicist Clair Dobbs. They expressed:

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 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.”

The statement continued:

“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.”

Brought into the world in 1934, Smith grew up in Oxford and began her acting journey in her teenage years at the city’s Playhouse theatre. Throughout her illustrious career, she received numerous prestigious awards for her memorable and iconic performances.

Reflecting on Smith’s remarkable career

Maggie Smith embarked on her stellar career in 1952 at just 17 years old, making her debut as Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. In 1956, she made her Broadway debut and went on to star in numerous theatrical productions.

She earned her first screen credit in 1959 with Nowhere to Go, which garnered her the first of 18 British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) nominations. Her acclaimed role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie won her an Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA in 1969. Additionally, Smith received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in California Suite in 1978.

Over the course of her career, Maggie Smith was nominated for four more Academy Awards, with four additional BAFTA wins, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award for her outstanding work.

Even in her later years, Smith remained a highly sought-after actress. She gained a new generation of fans through her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. More recently, she appeared in films such as the 2022 spinoff Downton Abbey: A New Era and the 2023 film The Miracle Club.

Dame Maggie Smith was honored as a Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of a knighthood, in 1990.

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