Sad news, Dame Maggie Smith, has passed away at the age of 89. She has graced our screens and theatres for nearly 70 years and won two Oscars, three Emmys and countless other awards in her lifetime.
Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, said in a statement:
“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. 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.”
Probably best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey she was known around the world. She was a classical and contemporary actress and know for things like Mary, Mary, A Room with a View, A Private Function, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Clash of the Titans (1981), Hook, Sister Act II, Ladies in Lavender, plus many, many more.
In 1990 she was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Only a few of her generation have had such an honour, including Dame Judy Dench and Dame Diana Rigg.
One British review once said about Smith that she had the:
“…power to make you look and listen all the time, laconic and nervous, super in comedy, touching in pathos, a gem of an actress.”
Born in Ilford, Essex, she attended the Oxford School for Girls and later studied at the Oxford Playhouse School. She was soon acting in many plays in Oxford and then in the West End. It wasn’t long before Hollywood took notice.
Smith had a supporting role in The VIPs, alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. From there, her career was in movies, TV and she would regularly return to the stage, which was one of her true loves.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time and here is a quote from her:
“I tend to head for what’s amusing because a lot of things aren’t happy. But usually you can find a funny side to practically anything.”
RIP Maggie Smith – 1934 – 2024
