That Maggie Smith has passed away. Smith was an actress who had a prolific career in film and television. She was born in the United Kingdom in 1934 and began her career in acting in the 1950s, when she was in her early 20s. She continued to work throughout most of her life, with her last role The Miracle Club In 2023, in which she played Lily Fox.
Per BBCSmith sadly passed away. She was 89 years old. Her death was announced in conjunction with a statement from her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who announced the death of their mother by saying “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.“They mention that she died in the hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27. Larkin and Stephenson thanked the hospital staff for their work and noted that Smith left behind”two sons and five loving grandchildren.” The full statement can be found below:
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday September 27th. 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.
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 last days.
We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.
Maggie Smith’s career in film and television
Smith won two Oscars for her acting
After beginning her career in the 1950s, Smith continued her career in acting throughout the 1960s, primarily in film. She played Desdemona in the 1965 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s OthelloA role that earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Four years later, the actor won her First Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Smith would go on to be nominated for four more Oscars, winning one more Oscar for California suite.
Although her most acclaimed work has been in films like Gosford Park And A room with a viewSmith is later best known in popular culture for her role in the Harry Potter Franchise. Start with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone In 2001, Smith played the iconic Professor McGonagall throughout the series. Years after debut in Harry PotterSmith played a role in the hit TV series Downton Abbeywhere she played Violet Crowley. Before her death, Smith was slated to appear in the film A German life.
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Smith will be remembered for the breadth of her filmography
Smith aged well with her roles
One of the elements that impresses me most about Maggie Smith’s filmography is not only its longevity, but how she was able to transform her career at different stages of her life. Smith is great as the main love interest A room with a viewBut she is just as lovable and standout in the 2015 film The lady in the van. The latter title sees Smiths age and the aging process as a vital part of her character, which I think she handled with grace. So too was how she handled her acting career.
Source: BBC