Legendary British Actress Maggie Smith Dies at 89, She Known for her Iconic Roles in Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey

We’ll miss you for ever, Professor McGonagall.

The world mourns the loss of Dame Maggie Smith, the venerable British actress whose career spanned over six decades. Known for her iconic roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey,” Smith passed away peacefully in a hospital early Friday morning, surrounded by friends and family. She was 89 years old.

Iconic British Actress Dame Maggie Smith Dies at 89

Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death in a heartfelt statement: “It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our extraordinary mother and grandmother. She was an intensely private person, and we are grateful for the love and support from her fans worldwide during this difficult time”.

In recent years, Maggie Smith captivated audiences as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey,” earning her legions of new fans and critical acclaim.

Smith’s contributions to the arts were recognized with numerous awards, including two Oscars, four Emmys, and a Tony Award. In 1989, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2014, she was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour.

Her legacy is one of remarkable talent, dedication, and an ability to bring characters to life with unparalleled depth and nuance. She leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren, who remember her not only as a brilliant actress but as a loving mother and grandmother.

Maggie Smith’s Amazing Career

Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, Smith’s illustrious career began on the stage. She trained at the Oxford Playhouse School and made her professional debut in 1952 with the Oxford University Dramatic Society’s production of “Twelfth Night”.

Her early stage work quickly garnered attention, leading to her joining the Royal National Theatre in 1963, where she became a standout performer.

Maggie Smith’s breakthrough came with her role in “The Private Ear” and “The Public Eye” (1962), which showcased her versatility and talent. She continued to build her reputation with performances in “Othello” (1965), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination. Her first Oscar win came in 1969 for her portrayal of an eccentric schoolteacher in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”.

Dame Maggie Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 73. She discovered a lump and initially didn’t think it was serious, as she had previously found a benign lump years earlier. However, this time it was cancerous, and she had to undergo chemotherapy while filming “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.

Smith described the experience as extremely challenging, noting that the illness “knocked her sideways” and left her feeling “horribly sick” from the treatment.

Maggie Smith said that “The chemotherapy was very peculiar, something that makes you feel much worse than the cancer itself, a very nasty thing. I used to go to treatment on my own, and nearly everybody else was with somebody. I wouldn’t have liked that. Why would you want to make anybody sit in those places?”

Her battle with cancer was a private struggle, but she did open up about the fear and uncertainty it brought into her life. She admitted that the diagnosis made her anxious about returning to live theater performances, although she continued to work in film.