Legendary Actress Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89

Maggie Smith, who earned an Academy Award for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and gained a new generation of admirers in the 21st century as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89, according to her publicist on Friday.

Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed in a statement that Smith passed away early Friday at a London hospital. “She is survived by two sons and five adoring grandchildren, all of whom are deeply saddened by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother,” the statement, released through publicist Clair Dobbs, read.

A Remarkable Legacy

For many millennials, Maggie Smith became a household name thanks to her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey, a role that seemed perfectly crafted for her, with its biting wit and sharp quips. She was also beloved as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. One of the rare actors to win an Oscar (twice), an Emmy (four times), and a Tony, Smith’s illustrious career began on the stage in the 1950s.

Her first Oscar nomination came for her role as Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier’s Othello in 1965, before winning the award for her portrayal of an Edinburgh schoolteacher in 1969’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She later took home a second Academy Award for her supporting performance in the 1978 comedy California Suite, prompting co-star Michael Caine to remark, “Maggie didn’t just steal the film, she committed grand larceny.”

Among her other celebrated roles were Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest on the West End, a 92-year-old battling dementia in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women, and her performance in the 2001 dark comedy Gosford Park.

In 1990, Maggie Smith was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II, a reflection of her extraordinary career and contributions to the arts. Frequently hailed as one of the greatest British actresses of her generation, she was often compared to contemporaries like Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench.