Maggie Smith is dead. Actress, winner of two Oscars, known, among others, from the Harry Potter films and the “Downton Abbey” series, died at the age of 89 – reports the BBC, citing the family of the stage and screen legend.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early in the morning on Friday, September 27,” according to a statement from the star’s sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, quoted by the British broadcaster. As they added, she was with her friends and family until the end. “She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” the statement read.
Maggie Smith. Legenda kina i sceny
Maggie Smith, real name Margaret Natalie Smith, was born on December 28, 1934 in Ilford. She graduated from Oxford High School and began her career playing at the Oxford Playhouse. In 1952 she made her debut on Broadway and in 1956 on the silver screen. In 1960, she joined the Royal National Theater, where she played Desdemona in “Othello”, accompanied by Laurence Olivier. She repeated this role in “Othello”, filmed in 1965. The actress then received her first Oscar nomination. She received the statuette – in the best actress category – in 1970 for the film “The Full Life of Miss Brodie”. Nine years later, she received another one – in the best supporting actress category for her role in the film “California Suite”. During her career, she received four more nominations for this award and many other distinctions.
She is well remembered by fans of the Harry Potter film series, where she played Professor McGonagall. In recent years, she also gained a huge audience from the series “Downton Abbey”, where she played the role of Violet Crawley. Maggie Smith also appeared in two films by Agnieszka Holland: “The Secret Garden” (1994) and “Washington Square” (1997).
For her outstanding services, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire, and in 1990 she received an honorary knighthood.
Lucille Sharp, Maggie Smith i Shirley MacLaineITV
Colleagues from the screen and stage say goodbye to the deceased. “Anyone who ever shared the stage with Maggie will attest to her keen eye, sharp wit and extraordinary talent. She was a true legend of her generation. Fortunately, she will continue to live on in so many wonderful roles on screen. My condolences to her sons and the entire family.” The BBC quotes Hugh Bonneville, who starred with Maggie Smith in “Downton Abbey”.
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Main photo source: ANDY RAIN/PAP