Beloved British actress Dame Maggie Smith, finest identified for her roles within the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey, has died on the age of 89.
Smith’s household confirmed her demise in a press release to the BBC. “She handed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday twenty seventh September,” they mentioned. “An intensely personal particular person, she was with family and friends on the finish. She leaves two sons and 5 loving grandchildren who’re devastated by the lack of their extraordinary mom and grandmother.”
Due to her affinity for comedic performances, Smith stole the hearts of viewers throughout generations — from her breakout title position in 1969’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to her work as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. Her most widely known position was as Professor Minerva McGonagall within the Harry Potter franchise.
Smith is one in every of 24 actors to realize the “Triple Crown of Appearing,” being awarded a aggressive Academy Award, Emmy, and Tony. She was nominated for six Oscars and awarded two: one for Greatest Actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and one other for Greatest Supporting Actress in 1978’s California Suite. She additionally received 5 BAFTA Awards, 4 Emmys, and one Tony.
Born in Essex on December twenty eighth, 1934, Smith started her appearing profession in theater. As a pupil, she began on the Oxford Playhouse earlier than catching the attention of Laurence Olivier and becoming a member of his nascent Nationwide Theatre Firm. She made her Broadway debut in 1956, and although she would embark on an illustrious profession in movie and tv, Smith’s ardour for the stage sustained all through her profession.
Smith first gained widespread consideration for her on-screen work with 1965’s Othello, incomes a Greatest Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her position as Desdemona. Simply years later, she was launched into one other stratosphere by means of her 1969 Oscar-winning position in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
From there, Smith turned a well-recognized face in numerous Hollywood main movement footage. Only a few of the titles in Smith’s movie repertoire embody Harry Potter, A Room with a View, Sister Act, Travels with My Aunt, Othello, The Girl within the Van, and Gosford Park.
In 2010, Smith acquired newfound consideration for Downtown Abby, incomes three Primetime Emmys for her position as Violet Crawley. Different notable tv performances embody Emily Delahunty within the 2003 HBO movie My Home in Umbria, Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield, and Queen Alexandra in All of the King’s Males.
Smith was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990.
Smith is survived by two sons and 5 grandchildren. She was final married to playwright Alan Beverly Cross till his demise in 1998. Beforehand, she was married to actor Robert Stephens, with whom she had two kids earlier than their divorce in 1975.
