By Iconic British actress Dame Maggie Smith, star of film, stage and screen, has died at the age of 89.
In a statement issued by her sons, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, they confirm she passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
The statement reads that she was with friends and family at the end and leaves behind not just both sons but also five loving grandchildren who are “devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother”. They add:
“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.”
Smith in her time won two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards.
She first appeared in film in 1956 and played roles right up until her work in last year’s “The Miracle Club”. To current generations she’s best known for her work as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film series, Mother Superior in “Sister Act,” and as the Dowager Countess in “Downton Abbey”.
Her screen roles went far beyond that though. She won the Oscar for her work in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “California Suite”, and scored nominations for her work in “Othello,” “Gosford Park,” “A Room with a View,” and “Travels with My Aunt”.
To many she’s best remembered for her sassy personality and wit, shown off to great effect in roles such as Bette Davis’ defiant nurse “Death on the Nile,” verbal sparring with Diana Rigg in “Evil Under the Sun,” the delightful Dora Charleston in “Murder by Death,” and the vengeful goddess Thetis in “Clash of the Titans”.
Other roles included “Hook,” “The Secret Garden,” “The First Wives Club,” “Richard III,” “Ladies in Lavender,” “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang,” “The Lady in the Van,” “Becoming Jane,” “The Missionary,” “A Private Function,” “The Honey Pot.” “All the King’s Men” and “My House in Umbria”.
Her stage work was even more extensive with roles in plays running from 1952-2019. Our sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends.
Source: BBC
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