Today we mourn the loss of another legendary actress, Maggie Smith, who has passed away at the age of 89. Known for her iconic role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films Maggie Smith leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
Her passing was confirmed by her publicist according to AP reports.
Smith’s career spanned over seven decades with her breakthrough performance earning her an Oscar for ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ in 1969.
In more recent years she won the hearts of a new generation with her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. Throughout her career, from 1947 to 2023, she appeared in 160 films, including The Secret Garden, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Evil Under the Sun, to name just a few.
Maggie was married twice, first to actor Robert Stevens in 1967. Together, they had two sons, Chris and Toby but their marriage ended in 1975. Later, in the same year, she married playwright Beverly Cross, and they remained together until his death in 1998.
Both of her sons followed in her footsteps pursuing careers in acting. Chris Larkin, the eldest, has made a name for himself in the industry.
Despite facing personal challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007 during the filming of the Harry Potter series Maggie remained committed to her work and continued to act while undergoing treatment.
Throughout her lifetime Maggie Smith received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, seven BAFTA awards, three Golden Globes, and four Emmy awards.
She was an extraordinary talent who gave her heart and soul to acting and her contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
