Dame Maggie Smith, the celebrated actress renowned for her roles in the Harry Potter series and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89, her family confirmed. A towering figure in British cinema and theater, Dame Maggie leaves behind a legacy that spans eight decades of extraordinary performances.
Throughout her career, Dame Maggie earned two Academy Awards: one for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and another for California Suite in 1979. She was also nominated for four more Oscars and garnered an impressive eight Bafta awards.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the tributes to Dame Maggie, calling her a “true national treasure” and expressing that her work will continue to be appreciated for generations. Starmer remarked, “She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”
In the Harry Potter films, Maggie Smith became synonymous with the character of Professor Minerva McGonagall, known for her sharp tongue, iconic witch’s hat, and fierce dedication to the young wizards of Hogwarts. Fans of the beloved ITV drama Downton Abbey will forever remember her as the Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley, whose cutting remarks and dry humor were a standout throughout the series’ six-season run.
Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement confirming her passing, saying, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, 27th September.” They went on to thank the staff of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their compassionate care during her final days. The family expressed their devastation but also their deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support, asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Hugh Bonneville, who acted alongside her in Downton Abbey, was one of the many stars to offer heartfelt tributes. “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit, and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family,” he said.
Dame Maggie’s portrayal of Violet Crawley was not only iconic in the television series but also in the two Downton Abbey films. In the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era, her character passed away due to illness, mirroring the sorrow now felt by her fans and loved ones in real life.
The Downton Abbey series was preceded by Dame Maggie’s standout performance in the 2002 period film Gosford Park, where she played another aristocratic character, earning both Oscar and Bafta nominations for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Trentham.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also paid tribute to her profound impact on British culture, writing in his statement, “Dame Maggie introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
Actor Rob Lowe, who worked with Dame Maggie in the 1993 film Suddenly, Last Summer, also remembered his time on set with her, recalling her immense talent and presence. “Sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion,” Lowe said, “She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. Godspeed, Ms. Smith!”
Dame Maggie’s career began in the late 1950s, when she earned her first Bafta nomination for her role in Nowhere to Go in 1958. Her breakthrough came in 1963 when Laurence Olivier invited her to play Desdemona in Othello at the National Theatre. The role was later adapted into a film, for which she earned her first Oscar nomination.
Some of her other notable performances include her role as Charlotte Bartlett in A Room with a View (1985), a chaperone guiding Helena Bonham Carter’s Lucy Honeychurch through the streets of Italy. That performance brought her another Oscar nomination and Bafta award.
In 1999, Dame Maggie appeared alongside another British icon, Dame Judi Dench, in Tea with Mussolini, where she played an Englishwoman residing in 1930s Italy. Both actresses were lauded for their performances in the film.
Her versatility as an actress was further displayed when she portrayed Reverend Mother in the popular Sister Act films, starring Whoopi Goldberg. Dame Maggie’s portrayal of the stern but kind-hearted Mother Superior brought a new level of gravitas to the comical premise of a nightclub singer hiding out in a convent.
One of her later roles was the memorable 2015 adaptation of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, where she portrayed a woman who lived in a van outside Bennett’s house for 15 years. The role was a testament to her ability to bring quirky, endearing, and complex characters to life on screen.
Most recently, in 2023, Dame Maggie appeared in The Miracle Club, a film about a group of women from Dublin who embark on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Her co-stars included Kathy Bates and Laura Linney, further showcasing Dame Maggie’s ability to collaborate with a variety of actors across generations.
The world has lost not only a gifted performer but also a beloved public figure. As tributes continue to pour in, it is clear that Dame Maggie Smith’s influence on film, television, and theater will continue to resonate with audiences for many years to come.
