Acting Legend Dame Maggie Smith Dead At 89

Legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89. For many fans, the star was known for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter film series. However, the actress has had a career that spanned decades.

The Actress’ Sons Released A Statement On Her Passing

Smith was 89 at the time of her passing, being survived by two sons and five grandchildren. Both her children and her publicist had confirmed the news.

At this time, the actress’ cause of death was not announced. According to NBC News, the actress’ sons released a statement in tribute to their mother.

As it read, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning.” It continued, “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.”

Smith had been born December 28, 1934 in Essex, England. She would study acting at the Oxford Playhouse School, making her acting debut in a production of Twelfth Night. Her film role would be playing an uncredited party guest in Child in the House.

Smith Had A Career Spanning Decades

By 1959, however, Smith would receive a British Academy Film Award nomination for her first screen credit, Nowhere to Go. Smith would end up winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She would later win for Best Supporting Actress for the American comedy California Suite, where she played British actress Diana Barrie.

In 1981, Smith notably played the antagonistic goddess Thetis in Clash of the Titans. By 1992, Smith would also appear as Mother Superior in the Whoopi Goldberg film, Sister Act. Smith would repreise the role a year later in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Other notable films she appeared in during this time include Hook and The First Wives Club. In 1990, she was granted the title of “Dame” by Queen Elizabeth II.

In the 2000s, however, Smith would gain international fame playing Professor Minerva McGonagall, a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the Harry Potter film series. Smith had been requested by the author of the original books, J. K. Rowling herself, for the role. The role of the stern yet caring professor, who watched over the story’s titular wizard, helped endear Smith to a new generation of young fans.

In 2010, Smith would gain further prominence for playing Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the period drama, Downton Abbey. With the series itself proving popular, Smith’s role especially proved to be a fan-favorite.

What was your favorite Maggie Smith role? What was the first role you ever saw her in? Let us know your thoughts and come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.