Oscar-winning British actress Maggie Smith, whose career spanned more than seven decades on stage and screen, passed away in a London hospital on Friday, her sons confirmed.
“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,” her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, said in a statement.
Best known to many for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, Maggie Smith also captivated audiences with her sharp wit in other iconic roles, including that of Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, according to The Sun.
Her sons further shared that she had been surrounded by friends and family in her final moments. In their statement through a publicist, they expressed their gratitude: “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
They also took a moment to thank the medical staff who cared for her in her final days: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Maggie Smith was born Margaret Natalie Smith in December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, to a Scottish mother and an English father. The family moved to Oxford when she was four after her father secured a position at the university.
She began her acting career at just 17, making her debut as Viola in Twelfth Night. She went on to perform in a variety of productions, including Cinderella, Rookery Nook, and The Government Inspector.
In 1957, she landed a role opposite Kenneth Williams in the musical comedy Share My Lettuce, which opened the door to regular appearances at the Old Vic Theatre, with performances in plays such as The Rehearsal and Mary, Mary.
It was during a production of The Double Dealer that she caught the attention of Laurence Olivier, who invited her to join his National Theatre Company. Smith would later star opposite Olivier in Othello, where their professional rivalry became legendary.