Beloved British Actor Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89, Reports Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) – Acclaimed British actress Maggie Smith, celebrated for her extensive career that spanned from Shakespearean theater to iconic roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey,” has passed away at the age of 89, her family announced on Friday.

Smith was one of a select group of performers to achieve the rare feat of winning an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony throughout her seven-decade career, earning recognition for her sharp intelligence and biting wit.

King Charles expressed his sorrow at her passing, stating he was deeply saddened by the news. “As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join people worldwide in celebrating her remarkable performances and the warmth and wit that characterized her both on and off the stage,” the monarch remarked.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Smith, saying she “introduced us to new worlds through the countless stories she portrayed during her extensive career.” He acknowledged her as a beloved talent and a true national treasure, emphasizing that her work would be cherished for generations.

Beginning her career on stage in the 1950s, Smith became a prominent figure at Britain’s National Theatre in the 1960s, collaborating with renowned actor Laurence Olivier. She received her first Oscar nomination for her role as Desdemona in the 1965 film “Othello,” and won her first Academy Award for her performance as an Edinburgh schoolmistress in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969). She secured a second Oscar for her supporting role in the comedy “California Suite” (1978).

To many younger fans in the 21st century, she was best known as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and as the Dowager Countess in the popular television series “Downton Abbey,” a role that perfectly suited her style of delivery marked by sharp remarks and clever humor.

Smith died in a London hospital early on Friday, surrounded by friends and family, as stated by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. They described her as an intensely private person.

Among her distinguished roles were Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” on the West End, a 92-year-old woman grappling with senility in Edward Albee’s “Three Tall Women,” and a significant part in the 2001 film “Gosford Park.”

In 1990, Smith was honored with a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth, becoming a Dame in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the performing arts.