Dame Maggie Smith, the renowned British actress celebrated for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed that she died in hospital on Friday.
In a heartfelt statement, they expressed their devastation over the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
The King and Queen also paid tribute to her, calling her a “national treasure” and remembering her for her great performances, warmth, and wit.
Born in Essex in 1934, Dame Maggie rose to international fame as one of the most versatile and accomplished actresses of her generation.
Throughout her illustrious career, she won two Academy Awards, numerous BAFTAs, and countless other accolades, cementing her legacy in both theater and film.
In recent years, she gained a new wave of fans with her portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, and as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series.
Despite her success in these iconic roles, Dame Maggie once revealed in an interview with ES Magazine that she didn’t find her performances in Harry Potter or Downton Abbey particularly fulfilling, as she didn’t feel she was truly acting in those projects.
However, her sharp intellect, quick wit, and powerful presence made her an unforgettable figure on screen, something her Harry Potter co-stars, such as Daniel Radcliffe, fondly remembered.
Radcliffe described her as someone who could charm and intimidate in equal measure, while J.K. Rowling expressed her grief, stating, “Somehow I thought she’d live forever.”
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, reflected on her time with Dame Maggie, admitting she didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of her co-star’s legend until she became an adult.
She praised Dame Maggie for her strength and grace, especially in holding her own in a predominantly male-dominated setting.
Gary Oldman, another Harry Potter co-star, remarked that Dame Maggie’s talent was the kind that only appears once every few generations, making her a truly exceptional figure in the world of acting.
Dame Maggie’s work in Downton Abbey earned her numerous accolades, including three Emmys, a Golden Globe, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Her Downton co-star, Hugh Bonneville, who played her on-screen son Lord Grantham, paid tribute to her sharp wit and formidable talent, stating that anyone who worked with her would attest to her brilliance.
Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley on the show, simply wrote, “Truly one of The Greats. RIP,” while sharing photos of her.
Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, who also worked with Dame Maggie on Gosford Park, praised her professionalism, humor, and ability to deliver lines flawlessly without needing much explanation.
Whoopi Goldberg, who acted alongside Dame Maggie in Sister Act, said she felt lucky to have worked with such a one-of-a-kind talent, highlighting how much she learned from her.
Meanwhile, BAFTA acknowledged her legendary status in British stage and screen, honoring her with five BAFTAs, a BAFTA Special Award, and a BAFTA Fellowship during her acclaimed career.
Dame Maggie’s prowess was not limited to leading roles in West End productions. Even at the height of her stardom, she embraced supporting roles, especially in films.
She excelled in both tragedy and comedy, moving seamlessly between works by Shakespeare, Noel Coward, and Ibsen.
At the National Theatre and Old Vic, she established herself as a master of diverse genres, from Restoration comedies to serious dramas.
Despite often playing smaller roles, Dame Maggie had a remarkable ability to outshine even the biggest stars. Her scene-stealing performance alongside Richard Burton was famously referred to as “grand larceny” by the actor himself.
Some of her most memorable films include Death on the Nile, Gosford Park, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, its sequel, and The Lady in the Van, based on Alan Bennett’s memoirs.
Dame Maggie married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967, and they had two sons, both of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps to become actors.
The couple divorced in 1975, the same year she married the writer Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1998. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Dame Maggie was made a Dame in 1990.
Dame Maggie Smith’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary era in British acting. Her career, spanning decades, left an indelible mark on the world of theater and cinema.
She will be remembered not only for her remarkable talent and versatility but also for her humor, warmth, and enduring legacy.
