Famed Actress Maggie Smith of Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey Fame Dies At 89
Dame Maggie Smith, the Oscar-winning British actress known for her phenomenal body of work has died at the age of 89. Smith’s sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens issued a joint statement via publicist Claire Dobbs stating that the veteran actress has breathed her last at a private nursing home in London. The reason of her death was not specified but the news has left her fans grieving.
The actress is best known for playing Violet Crawley in Downtown Abbey, a British period drama that ran from 2010-2015. Her stint in the show earned her international fame and three Primetime Emmy Awards.
She gained further global appreciation for portraying the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the hugely popular Harry Potter film franchise. Reportedly J.K. Rowling, the bestselling author of the series, had personally requested Smith to play Professor McGonagall in the films.
That said, Maggie Smith was a decorated actress with many awards, nominations, and other recognitions to her name.
She made her acting career debut in 1952 at the Oxford Playhouse and went on to make her first official Broadway appearance in New Faces of ‘56. What followed was a remarkable acting career as a stage and film actor. She went on to become one of the most sought-after actresses of her time, working extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
She was frequently named as the preeminent British performer of the decade alongside the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave.
Smith won her first Oscar for Best Actress in 1969 for the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and went on to win another one for her role as the Best Supporting Actress in California. In 1990, she was made a Dame (DBE) in the New Year Honours for her contribution to the field of performing arts.
Her illustrious career also saw her win one Tony Award, four Primetime Emmy Awards, five British Academy Film Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Besides being an actress for the ages, Smith was also known for her fight against Graves’ Disease and breast cancer. She continued acting until well into her 80s and will always be remembered for her witty portrayal of characters.
Her death is a great loss to the British and the international community but she will be remembered by her more than vast body of work.
