Harry Potter Actress Maggie Smith Dead At 89

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One of the most distinguished and accomplished actresses to ever take to the big screen has died. On Friday, Dame Maggie Smith passed away. The death was announced hours after it occurred when her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin released the news via a publicist later on Friday morning. The famed actress was 89 years old. In the statement, the two grieving sons noted: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.” The statement continued: “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 final days.” And then they concluded: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.” Smith, who was born in 1934 in England, was most well-known to recent (and younger) audiences for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, and her work as Dowager Countess Violet Crawley on Downton Abbey. But her career began on stage way back in 1952. It spanned seven decades and more than 50 films along with impressive theater appearances. She won four Golden Globe awards, picked up four Oscar nominations, and won two Academy Awards — for her roles in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969, and California Suite in 1978. So, she leaves behind a huge legacy on camera. And from the tone of the brothers’ message revealing her passing, it seems like she leaves a legacy away from her work, too. R.I.P. [Image via Downton Abbey/YouTube]