Multi-award-winning British actress Maggie Smith, known worldwide for her roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey”, has died at the age of 89.
The information was confirmed by his sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, in a statement shared with CNN by his press secretary, Claire Dobbs.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday, September 27th,” the statement said.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two loving children and five grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” he adds.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their tireless care and kindness during his final days. We appreciate all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” the text concludes.
One of the few actresses to win the triple crown: Oscar (two), Emmy (four) and Tony (one), Smith’s long career began on stage in the 1950s.
But to many younger fans of this century, she was best known as Professor McGonagall in all seven “Harry Potter” films, and as the Dowager Countess in the hit TV series and “Downton Abbey” spin-off films, a role that seemed tailor-made for an actress known for sarcastic comments and snide jokes.
Her first Oscar nomination was for her portrayal of Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier in “Othello” in 1965, before winning the Oscar for her role as an Edinburgh schoolteacher in 1969’s “A Spinster”.
She won her second Oscar for her supporting role in the 1978 comedy “California Suite.”
Other critically acclaimed roles include Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest” on the stage of London’s West End, a 92-year-old woman bitterly struggling with senility in Edward Albee’s play “Three Tall Women” and his role in the 2001 comedy film “Murder in Gosford Park”.
In 1990, she was named “Dame” by Queen Elizabeth.
This content was originally published in Maggie Smith, from “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey”, dies at 89 on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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