Actress Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.
Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced her passing today, September 27, stating that she had died peacefully at a London hospital.
“An intensely private person, 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,” Larkin and Stephens share in a statement issued through their publicist.
Maggie is best known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, as well as Violet Crawley in the historical drama Downton Abbey.
For over seven golden decades, Maggie had an extensive career on stage and screen. She is considered one of Britain’s most recognisable and prolific actresses.
In her career, she has been a recipient of two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards.
With her accolades, Smith is one of the few actors to earn the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony).
In the words of the Wizarding World as a final respect to the beloved icon, “Wands up for Dame Maggie Smith.”
