Known to younger audiences as Professor Minerva McGonagall from the “Harry Potter” film franchise and Mother Superior in “Sister Act”, veteran British actress Dame Maggie Smith, 89, passed away Friday.
Smith’s career spanned six decades, from her appearance in the Broadway revue “New Faces of 1956” to her role in the film “The Miracle Club” last year. She was born on Dec. 28, 1934 in Essex, U.K., and studied at the Oxford Playhouse School before kicking off her career, according to Britannica.
Good Morning America reported that her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed she had died in a statement to the Press Association.
"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,” said a statement from Smith’s family shared by the BBC.
Smith’s family also said they would like to thank the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital “for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days,” and the public for their kind messages. However, they also asked for privacy as they mourn.
According to GMA, Smith appeared in more than 50 films and had a main role (Dowager Countess of Grantham) on the television show “Downton Abbey” in the 2010s. She also appeared in many stage productions.
Smith became internationally famous with her role in the 1969 film “The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie” and won an Academy Award for best actress.
During her long career, Smith won another Academy Award, as well as five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990.