Maggie Smith, acclaimed actress, has died at the age of 89. Beloved by generations of filmgoers for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Smith was a multi-talented actor with 70 years in the industry. Her performances established a reputation for arch wit, sophisticated delivery, and effortless shifting from caring and compassionate characters to cold and calculating ones. Her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall cemented her legacy in the minds of many, but cinephiles and theatergoers alike have appreciated decades of her artistic contributions.
The Death, Life, and Career of Dame Maggie Smith
Smith died in the hospital early this morning, according to a statement from her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin. “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” they wrote, going on to say that “[s]he passed away peacefully.” The statement asked for privacy, which is in keeping with Smith’s reputation as someone who kept a firm divide between her personal and private life. Smith is survived by five grandchildren in addition to her two sons. She was reportedly in the company of family and friends at the end. No cause of death was cited.
Smith studied acting at the Oxford Playhouse and took her first role (Viola in Twelfth Night) at the age of 17. That performance kicked off a life of acting that in many ways reached a resounding crescendo with her performance as family matriarch Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. As the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Smith flexed acting chops honed over decades of performances on the stage and screen. From her inspiring monologues beside Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe or her double Oscar wins, Smith delivered performances of the highest quality throughout her career. Though she may be gone, the magic of her work and humanity isn’t.
