By Marisol Bo-oc | 10:37 AM September 27, 2024
Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress celebrated for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89.
Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, said in a statement that she died early Friday in a London hospital.
A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said: “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.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement issued through publicist Clair Dobbs.
Harry Potter Facebook page said, “Dame Maggie Smith was a shining force as Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. We are so saddened to hear of her passing today, aged 89. Her quick wit and formidable presence as the Head of Gryffindor house made sure Hogwarts was always in safe hands.”
Dame Maggie’s career spanned eight decades. She won an Oscar for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” films.
