Acting Icon Dame Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89

Dame Maggie Smith, the acclaimed actress renowned for her roles in the *Harry Potter* series and *Downton Abbey*, has passed away at the age of 89, her family has confirmed.

A towering figure of British stage and screen, Smith won two Academy Awards—one for *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* in 1970 and another for *California Suite* in 1979. Throughout her illustrious career, she earned four additional Oscar nominations and received seven BAFTA Awards.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer led tributes, describing Dame Maggie as "a true national treasure whose immense talent touched generations."

Smith’s portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the *Harry Potter* films made her beloved worldwide, particularly for her sharp-tongued, no-nonsense demeanor and iconic witch's hat. In *Downton Abbey*, she played Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, delighting viewers with her biting wit and one-liners across six series and two feature films.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a heartfelt statement: "It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, surrounded by friends and family." They expressed gratitude to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital staff for their care and kindness, asking for privacy during this difficult time.

Many co-stars and colleagues have paid tribute. Hugh Bonneville, her *Downton Abbey* co-star, said: "Maggie had a sharp eye, sharp wit, and a formidable talent. She was a true legend and will be greatly missed." Lesley Nicol, who portrayed Mrs. Patmore, echoed this sentiment, saying the *Downton* cast is deeply saddened.

Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, who appeared alongside Smith in *Gosford Park* and *Keeping Mum*, remembered her fondly: "She took acting seriously but saw through the industry’s nonsense. Her wit could dissolve me into fits of giggles. I adored her."

Dame Maggie's career spanned eight decades, beginning with her first BAFTA nomination in 1958 for *Nowhere to Go*. In 1963, she was cast as Desdemona in *Othello* by Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre, which later earned her her first Oscar nomination in its 1965 film adaptation. Her other notable roles include Charlotte Bartlett in *A Room with a View* and appearances in *Tea with Mussolini* and *The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*.

A spokesperson for the National Theatre praised her unparalleled contributions to stage, film, and television, while BAFTA remembered her as a "legend of British stage and screen."

Her remarkable legacy will endure, with her work continuing to captivate audiences for years to come.