Dame Maggie Smith, Beloved British Actress of ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Harry Potter’, Dies at 89

Dame Maggie Smith, the award-winning British actress known for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at 89.

Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death in a statement on Friday, September 27.

Dame Maggie enjoyed a varied and decorated career in the spotlight (Picture: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” they shared. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. 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.”

The family expressed gratitude for the care provided by the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital staff during her final days and requested privacy during this difficult time.

Dame Maggie was celebrated for her incredible versatility, easily switching from melancholy to mischief and graciousness to exuberance. Her illustrious 70-year career, marked by numerous accolades, is a testament to her talent. To honour her legacy, West End theatres will dim their lights for two minutes at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 1.

Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said she will “be remembered as one of the most significant performers British theatre has ever seen.” She added, “We are proud to be able to honour her remarkable career in some small way.”

The actress’ sons shared the news in a statement (Picture: Everett/Shutterstock)

Social media flooded with tributes, including a heartfelt message from King Charles III, who said, “My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those worldwide in remembering with fondest admiration and affection her many great performances and her warmth that shone through both on and off stage.”

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also shared his memories of the late actress, recalling their first meeting when he was nine. “The first time I met Maggie Smith, I was nine years old, and we were reading through scenes for *David Copperfield*, which was my first job,” he said. “She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the *Harry Potter* films.”

A message of condolence from His Majesty The King following the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/SiKw8EEHva

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 27, 2024

Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville led tributes from fellow actors, stating, “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, wit, and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and will live on in many magnificent screen performances.” The official ‘Downton Abbey’ account also praised her, calling her a “true British icon” and expressing gratitude for her contributions to the show.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged her impact, saying, “Dame Maggie Smith introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career. She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”

As a TV presenter, Gyles Brandreth reflected on Dame Maggie’s unique qualities, calling her “wise, witty, waspish, wonderful” and a “uniquely towering acting talent.”

Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe worked together for over a decade (Picture: AP / Warner Bros)

Born in 1934 in East London, Dame Maggie began acting as a teenager and quickly rose to prominence. She starred in numerous stage productions, including the 1957 musical comedy *Share My Lettuce*, and made her film debut in 1958 with ‘Nowhere to Go’, which earned her a Bafta nomination.

Dame Maggie starred alongside Miriam Margolyes, Richard Harris and Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films (Picture: Visual/allocation.co./PA Wire)

In 2022, she appeared as the unexpected face of fashion brand Loewe, delighting fans with her stunning photoshoots. Her illustrious stage career included numerous performances at the Old Vic theatre, where she caught the eye of Laurence Olivier, who invited her to join his National Theatre Company.

She appeared in the films as stern but loved Professor McGonagall (Picture: Warner Bros)

Dame Maggie garnered international acclaim for portraying fanatical teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, winning an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1970. She later became beloved by a new generation for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

Dame Maggie is one of the most decorated actresses in history ((Picture: Richard Young/Shutterstock)

Despite battling breast cancer in 2009, which temporarily affected her confidence, Dame Maggie returned to the stage and continued to shine in projects like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and My Old Lady. She played the iconic role of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey, winning an Emmy for her performance.

Her career spanned genres and generations (Picture: Universal Studios)

Dame Maggie shone in Downton Abbey (Picture: 2010 Universal.)

Dame Maggie’s legacy will live on through her numerous unforgettable roles in film and theatre. She is survived by her two sons, Toby and Chris, both actors from her first marriage to the late actor Robert Stephens.

She has been on our screens and stages for 70 years (Picture: Fremantle Media/REX)

Dame Maggie was one of the UK’s most beloved actors (Picture: William Conran/PA Wire)

The British public and the acting community will forever remember Dame Maggie Smith as a national treasure whose remarkable talent left an indelible mark on the entertainment world.

Sola Adeniji

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