The wizarding world has misplaced an performing legend.
Maggie Smith—the award-winning actress recognized for her roles within the Harry Potter motion pictures and the Downton Abbey franchise, amongst many different classics—handed away at 89, her household informed the BBC on Sept. 27.
“It’s with nice unhappiness we have now to announce the loss of life of Dame Maggie Smith,” the household shared in a press release. “She handed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday twenty seventh September. An intensely non-public particular person, she was with family and friends on the finish.”
“She leaves two sons and 5 loving grandchildren who’re devastated by the lack of their extraordinary mom and grandmother,” the assertion continues.
A explanation for loss of life was not shared, however the household famous that Smith had been a affected person on the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in her last days.
Born Margaret Natalie Smith on Dec. 28, 1934, the star kicked off her decades-long performing profession as a teen. Whereas finding out at Oxford Playhouse College, Smith appeared in quite a few performs, together with Twelfth Evening and Cinderella. Her skills ultimately took her to The Previous Vic in London, the place she caught the attention of actor-director Laurence Olivier and was invited to joined the Royal Nationwide Theatre firm in 1963 as one in all its inaugural members.
