Dame Maggie Smith, the beloved actress known for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89. Her family announced the news, stating she died peacefully in a hospital on Friday, September 27th, surrounded by friends and family. They expressed their deep sadness at the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother, who leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren.
While the cause of death has not been disclosed, her family expressed gratitude to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care in her final days. They have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Throughout her illustrious career, Smith earned numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for her performances in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “California Suite.” However, she is perhaps most recognized by newer generations for her role as the shapeshifting witch and mentor to Harry Potter and as the dowager countess in “Downton Abbey.”
Smith was also celebrated for her work in theater, known for her wit and powerful portrayals in roles such as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s tragedy. Alan Bennett, an acclaimed playwright, once noted that Smith’s performances always balanced between joy and sorrow.
A Tony Award winner for her role in “Lettice and Lovage,” Smith had a unique ability to bring characters to life. She rarely gave interviews but revealed that acting provided a sense of existence that eluded her in her personal life.
Born Margaret Natalie Smith in Ilford, England, on December 28, 1934, she grew up in Cowley and faced a challenging upbringing that influenced her later work. After training at Oxford Playhouse School, Smith was recognized for her talent and eventually became a founding member of the National Theatre, where she starred in significant productions.
Smith’s personal life included two marriages: first to actor Robert Stephens, with whom she had two sons before their divorce, and later to playwright Beverly Cross, who passed away in 1998.
In addition to her film and stage successes, Smith won an Emmy for her performance in HBO’s “My House in Umbra” and amassed a total of 50 awards throughout her career. She gained further recognition as she starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in the 1999 BBC miniseries “David Copperfield” before reuniting with him for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Smith was honored with the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 1990.