HARRY Potter and Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith has died aged 89 after an incredible 70-year career on stage and screen.
The beloved actress played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the hit film franchise.
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Dame Maggie Smith has died Credit: Getty
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The beloved actress played Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films Credit: Alamy
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The last public photo of Maggie Smith, who launches the campaign for LoeweCredit: Loewe
Maggie was also known for bringing her biting wit to other roles, including Violet Crawley on Downton Abbey.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital early this morning.
In a statement released by their publicists, they said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday September 27th.
“A very private person, she ended up being with friends and family.”
It comes as…
The statement added: “He leaves behind 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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and endless 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.”
Actress Maggie Smith, known for the Harry Potter and Downton Abbey films, has died at the age of 89.
Today, the stars of the television and film world also paid tribute to the acting icon.
Former co-star Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, changed his Instagram profile picture to a picture of himself being kissed on the cheek by Dame Maggie.
Hugh Bonneville, who played the son of Dame Maggie’s character in Downton Abbey, said: “Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and incredible talent.
“She was a true legend of her generation and will thankfully live on in so many magnificent performances on screen.
“My condolences to her boyfriends and extended family.”
American actress Whoopi Goldberg said she felt “lucky” to have worked with her.
The actors starred together in Sister Act, where Dame Maggie played the venerable Mother Superior, while Goldberg played Deloris Van Cartier.
Whoopi took to Instagram to share an old photo of the two of them on set, dressed as nuns, and described her as a “wonderful woman.”
She wrote: “Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with ‘the one of a kind’. My sincere condolences to the family… PARATI.”
TV presenter Gyles Brandreth described her as “wise, witty, shrewd, wonderful”.
Sharing a photo of them together, he wrote: “Saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era and a truly extraordinary life.
“She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greatest’ and simply the best company: wise, witty, sharp, wonderful.
“Unique in every way and therefore irreplaceable.”
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Ruper Grint changed his Instagram profile picture to a tribute Credit: Unknown, clear with picture desk
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Gyles Brandreth shared a photo of himself alongside Dame Maggie as he paid tribute Credit: x/@GylesB
Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens wrote “Truly one of The Greats. RIP” alongside two pictures of his former co-star on Instagram.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on X: “Dame Maggie Smith has introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she has acted out over her long career.
“Many loved her for her great talent, becoming a real national treasure whose work will be cherished by generations to come.
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
Hollywood actor Rob Lowe added: “I am saddened that Ms Maggie Smith has passed away. I had an unforgettable experience working with her; sharing two shots was like being paired with a lion.
“She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny and great company.
“And we didn’t suffer fools. We’ll never see another one again. God, Mrs. Smith!”
BAFTA, of which she won five awards, wrote: “We are saddened to hear that actress Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died aged 89.
“Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and film, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and a BAFTA Fellowship during her highly regarded career.”
She was born Margaret Natalie Smith in December 1934 in Ilford, East London, to a Scottish secretary mother and a pathologist father.
The star moved to Oxford when she was four after her father got a job at the university, and later left school to study acting at the Oxford Playhouse.
At just 17, Maggie landed her first role as Viola in Twelfth Night before appearing in Cinderella, Rookery Nook and The Government Inspector.
In 1957, she was cast opposite Kenneth Williams in the musical comedy Share My Lettuce.
This led to regular appearances in a number of plays at the Old Vic, including The Rehearsal and Mary, Mary.
While starring in The Double Dealer, Maggie caught the eye of Laurence Olivier who invited her to join his National Theater Company.
Full family statement
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday September 27th.
“A very private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
“He leaves behind 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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and endless 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.”
Maggie next appeared opposite the actor in Othello, with the pair known for their professional rivalry.
In 1958, the actress made her screen debut in Nowhere to Go, but it wasn’t until her Oscar-winning performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that she gained international fame 11 years later.
Maggie continued to appear on stage in numerous plays – winning a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway comedy Private Lives.
During this time, she won her second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The California Suite alongside Michael Caine.
Maggie received further nominations for her roles in A Room with a View and Gosford Park.
She appeared in a number of comedies, including Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet.
In 2001, Maggie took on the role of Hogwarts Vice Headmistress Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series.
She played the Transfiguration teacher in seven out of eight films until 2011.
Maggie won three Emmys for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey.
The actress became a fan favorite for her scathing criticism during the five-year run and two subsequent films.
Away from the screen, Maggie married actor Robert Stephens in June 1967.
The couple had two sons, actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, before divorcing eight years later,
Maggie later married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975 before his death in 1998.
She has previously spoken about her health battles, including treatment for Graves’ disease in 1988.
In 2007, it was revealed that Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer, but made a full recovery.
The actress was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990, and was named a Companion of Honor (CH) in 2014.
Speaking about her previous glittering career, Maggie said: “Honestly, I have no idea where the desire came from [to act] came from. The weather was so awful and we didn’t go to the theater.
“I got into terrible trouble once because the neighbors took me to the cinema on Sundays, but I had a wonderful teacher, Dorothy Bartholomew, who also taught Miriam Margolyes, and who encouraged me.”
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Maggie played Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey Credit: Alamy
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Her acting career began in the 1950s Credit: Getty – Contributor
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She achieved success in numerous plays and films Credits: Getty – Collaborator
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Maggie was known for her comedic roles, including Sister ActCredit: Rex Features
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She won two Academy Awards Credit: Getty
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