Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89: Tributes to legendary Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star

By Henry Moore

Legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

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Oscar winner Dame Maggie Smith died in hospital on Friday, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said in a statement.

Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Ilford, Essex on 28 Dec 1934 and went on to become one of Britain's greatest-ever actors.

Dame Maggie won her first Oscar for best actress for her performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and her second for California Suite in 1978.

Read More: From Hollywood to Hogwarts: The seven-decade career of legendary actress Maggie Smith

In recent years, she captured the hearts of a whole new generation as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

"It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith," her family's statement read.

"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.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville branded Dame Maggie a "true legend of her generation".

"Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent," he said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to share a heartfelt tribute to the beloved actress.

He wrote: "Dame Maggie Smith introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career.

"She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace."

Former PM, Rishi Sunak said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith - an icon of the stage and screen.

"She touched many lives across many generations with her incredible performances. Rest in peace."

Hollywood star Mia Farrow said: "Awful news. The irreplaceable, magnificent Maggie Smith has died."

American actor Rob Lowe, who appeared with Dame Maggie Smith in 1993 BBC drama Suddenly, Last Summer, described his late co-star as a "lion".

In a post on X, he wrote: "Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.

"She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!"

Downton Abbey actor Dan Stevens paid tribute to Dame Maggie Smith on his Instagram Story, writing "Truly one of The Greats. RIP" alongside two pictures of his former co-star.

The British Academy Film Awards took to X and wrote: “We’re saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89.

“Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five Bafta’s as well as a Bafta Special Award and Bafta Fellowship during her highly acclaimed career.”

The culture secretary Lisa Nandy wrote on X: "A true British icon of the stage and screen.

"Rest in peace Dame Maggie Smith, you’ll be forever remembered for a lifetime of commitment to the arts."

Tributes have poured in from fans following her death.

One X user said: "This one hurts. 'Iconic' feels too shallow and base a word for how monumental she was. Most adjectives to describe Maggie Smith and her incredible career do, actually. Rest in peace, Dame Maggie."

While another wrote: "The great Dame Maggie Smith has passed away, aged 89. She was such a significant part of my childhood and adult life too.

"A brilliant actress, a wonderful human being. May she rest in peace. Thank you, Maggie, for the wonderful talent you shared with us all."

After moving to Oxford aged 4, Dame Maggie made an early mark in revues, as a singer and dancer.

One fan who saw her on Broadway in New Faces of '56, said he laughed so much he ended up banging his head on the seat in front of him.

She was spotted by Laurence Olivier, who saw her as much more than just a vaudeville performer and invited her to join the newly-formed Royal National Theatre Company in London.

There, and at the Old Vic, she excelled in both tragedy and comedy, moving easily from Shakespeare to Noel Coward, to Restoration comedy to Ibsen.

Eventually, Hollywood took notice and she was given several supporting roles.

But she first emerged as an international star with an Oscar-winning performance as the fanatical teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.

Despite the fame Harry Potter and Downton Abbey brought her in the later years of her career, the iconic actress was not full of praise for her performances.

She told ES Magazine: "I am deeply grateful for the work in (Harry) Potter and indeed Downton (Abbey) but it wasn't what you'd call satisfying.

"I didn't really feel I was acting in those things."

Speaking about her career, said: "Honest to God, I have no idea where the urge [to act] came from. It was such a ghastly time and we didn't go to the theatre.

"I got into terrible trouble once because the neighbours took me to the cinema on a Sunday, but I had a wonderful teacher, Dorothy Bartholomew, who also taught Miriam Margolyes, and who encouraged me."

She has died exactly one year after her Harry Potter co-star, Sir Michael Gambon, died. Sir Michael died on 27 September 2023.

He was best known for playing Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in a number of the Harry Potter films, after the first Dumbledore, Richard Harris, died after the Chamber of Secrets was filmed.