Dame Maggie Smith, Two-Time Oscar Winner and Star of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Dies at 89

Sep 27, 2024, 01:27 PM

British actress Dame Maggie Smith, renowned for her roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89. Smith, a two-time Oscar winner, was celebrated for her performances as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series and the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. She won her first Oscar in 1969 for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and her second in 1978 for California Suite. Smith's death, which occurred in hospital on Friday, was confirmed by her publicist and her family, including her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who expressed deep sadness at her passing. Smith's career spanned over 60 years, during which she became a beloved figure in stage, film, and television.