Dame Maggie Smith, the acclaimed British actor known for her roles in the “Harry Potter” franchise and “Downton Abbey,” passed away at the age of 89. Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death, noting that she was with friends and family at the end. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Smith won two Oscars and four Emmys, and was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.
Born in 1934 in Essex, England, Smith trained at the Oxford Playhouse School and made her professional acting debut in 1952. She became a prolific performer in theater productions in the U.K. and the U.S. before joining Britain’s National Theatre in 1963.
Smith’s breakout role came in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” for which she won her first Oscar. She was known for her diverse movie roles, including in films like “Murder by Death” and “A Room with a View.” She gained international fame as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” films and as the Dowager Countess on “Downton Abbey.”
Despite her vast success, Smith remained modest, once joking that “Harry Potter is my pension.” In her later years, she continued to act in films like “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “The Miracle Club.” Smith is survived by her two sons and five grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most revered British actors of her generation.
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