Harry Potter Actress Dame Maggie Smith Dies At 89

Actress Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said (via BBC):

“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.

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.”

The late actress was a veteran legend. She won two Oscars during her career, for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979. She had four other nominations and received seven Bafta awards.

However, she was perhaps best known and most fondly remembered for playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies. In the British hit drama Downton Abbey, she played Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Our condolences to her fans, friends and family.

Lift your wands up in tribute.