Rome, 27 September. (askanews) – British actress Maggie Smith has died in London at the age of 89. His children confirmed this in a moving statement. “It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 September,” we read. In his long career he has won two Oscars, three Golden Globes, five BAFTAs, four Emmys and a Tony Award.
One of Maggie Smith’s most famous television roles is that of Lady Violet Crawley in the series Downton Abbey (2010-2015), which earned her numerous awards, including Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. His sharp wit and caustic jokes have become iconic. Another unforgettable role is that of Professor Minerva McGonagall (McGonagall in the original language) in the Harry Potter saga (2001-2011).
British icon, Maggie Smith began working in the theater in the 1950s for the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing major roles in plays such as “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Othello.” In 1963, she played Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier. Twice Oscar winner in cinema for “The Strange Desire of Jean” in 1969 and “California Suit” in 1978. In 1976 he was in one of the most interesting transpositions of Agatha Christie’s works: Murder by Dinner. The saga of adaptations will also continue with Murder on the Nile and Crime Under the Sun. Among the iconic roles is also that of the mother superior in the Sister Act saga.