Harry Potter, Downton Abbey Fame Oscar-Winning Actor Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89

Oscar-winning actor, Maggie Smith, best known to millions from Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' has passed away. She was 89 years old.

Oscar-winning actor, Maggie Smith, best known to millions from Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' has passed away. She was 89 years old.

Source : IMDb

New Delhi: Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning actor, best known to millions from Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' has passed away. She was 89 years old. The news was confirmed by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens in a statement. They said, "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," the statement read.

A legendary actress, known for her work on the British stage and screen, she won two Oscars during her career: 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' in 1970 and 'California Suite' in 1979.

She was nominated four times more for the Academy and had eight Bafta awards to her credit.

Known for her wit in comedy roles, she had a prolific career spanning both the screen and stage for over seven decades. Smith also happened to be one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting.

Margaret Natalie Smith was born on December 28, 1934 in Essex. Smith made her acting debut at the age of 17 in the Oxford University's Dramatic Society.

International recognition after Harry Potter & Downton Abbey

Despite a largely rich and diverse career graph having worked with the best directors across the world, Smith found significant international recognition and acclaim for playing Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies. 

Again from 2010-2015, Smith appeared as Violet Crawley in the British oeriod drama 'Downton Abbey'. The show became a cultural phenomemon and her performance a fan favourite. 

Maggie Smith was perhaps one the most recognisable faces on screen, having been a part of very successful, acclaimed films, theatre and TV shows, so much so that many generations are aware of her work.