Curious World Staff
Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress known for her roles in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, has died at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed she passed away peacefully at a London hospital. The family did not disclose the cause of death but thanked the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital staff for their care, asking for privacy during this time.
Smith’s amazing career spanned seven decades, with notable parts continuing into her old years. Born on December 28, 1934, in Essex, she began acting at the age of 17 and received her first BAFTA nomination in 1958. She received her first Academy Award nomination in 1965 for Othello. Despite her celebrity, Smith treasured her privacy and jokingly joked that she wished she could buy a personality to manage the spotlight.
She leaves behind her two sons, five grandchildren, and a legacy of unforgettable performances.
“Maggie Smith’s Iconic Roles Span ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ and More”
Maggie Smith’s career spanned generations, and she received significant praise in both the United Kingdom and Hollywood. She won two Academy Awards, for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) and “California Suite” (1978), and received nominations for “Othello,” “Travels with My Aunt,” “A Room with a View,” and “Gosford Park.” Smith was knighted as a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990, and she has garnered three Golden Globes and four Emmys.
Later, she captivated new audiences as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and as the indomitable Dowager Countess in the hit PBS series “Downton Abbey.”
