Harry Potter's 'Professor McGonagall' English Actress Maggie Smith Passes Away

Legendary British Actor Who Swept Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Awards
Active in Old Age with 'Downton Abbey'

British veteran actress Maggie Smith, well known for her role as Professor McGonagall in the 'Harry Potter' film series, has passed away at the age of 89.

Maggie Smith. [Photo by AP News]

On the 27th (local time), local media including the BBC reported, citing a statement released by her two actor sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, that Smith passed away at a hospital in London.

The family stated, "Our mother peacefully passed away early this morning at the hospital," adding, "Family and friends were by her side."

Born in Essex, England in 1934, Smith made her acting debut at the age of 17 at the Oxford Playhouse theater. Since the 1950s, she had an active career spanning over 70 years, working extensively in British theater and film as well as the American film industry.

Smith was first nominated for a BAFTA award in 1958 for the melodrama 'No Sun in Venice.' In 1963, she was offered the role of Desdemona in the play Othello, directed by Laurence Olivier, and performed together at the National Theatre. Two years later, she appeared in the film adaptation of the same play alongside the stage cast.

In the United States, she won two Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. She received the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969 for 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' and Best Supporting Actress in 1978 for 'California Suite.' She was also nominated multiple times for films such as 'Othello,' 'A Room with a View,' and 'Gosford Park.'

When winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1978 for 'California Suite,' co-star Michael Caine famously remarked, "Maggie didn’t just steal this movie; she committed grand theft," which became a notable quote.

Smith was highly regarded as an actress who could excellently portray all genres, from historical dramas to sophisticated dramas and sharp comedies, with her classic and elegant appearance.

To domestic fans, she was known for her role as the Mother Superior in the 'Sister Act' film series and as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the 'Harry Potter' series.

Recently, she received much love for her perfect portrayal of the stern Countess Violet Crawley in the British ITV period drama series 'Downton Abbey.'

In 1990, Smith was honored with the title of Dame, the female equivalent of 'Sir,' by Queen Elizabeth II.

Smith had two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, from her first marriage to fellow actor Robert Stephens. After their divorce, she remarried playwright Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1998.