Dame Maggie Smith — legendary British actress who rose to stardom with her Academy Award-winning films Miss Jean Brody's heyday A career spanning several decades, harry potter movies and hit series downton abbey — passed away. She was 89 years old.
Her sons, actors Toby Stevens and Chris Larkin, released a statement to the BBC on Friday.
“It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Mrs. Maggie Smith,” they said. “She passed away peacefully in hospital in the early morning hours of Friday, September 27th. A very private person, she was with friends and family in her final moments. She is survived by her two sons. and five beloved grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of a special mother and grandmother.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest British actresses of both stage and screen, Maggie Smith has tackled many of the most difficult theatrical roles ever written, while also juggling film and television careers. He won two Academy Awards and three Emmy Awards.
Her high-pitched voice, angular face, and long limbs made her a natural fit for comedy, and she became particularly closely associated with Noel Coward's plays. private life. She was able to give an air of alternately intimidating and overbearing, which led to her being frequently cast as a high-minded aristocrat.
Smith had a close relationship with Laurence Olivier, who invited her to work with him at the National Theater in London, where she appeared in a number of classic productions. In her later years, she specialized in playing prickly older women, most famously in The Grand Duchess. downton abbey He is the one who asked the famous question, “What is a weekend?”
Smith appeared in all six seasons. downton abbey and two subsequent films based on the series.
She also appeared in all the productions harry potter In the film, she appeared as the domineering Professor McGonagall, a role that rekindled her stardom in her late 60s.
For older generations, Smith will always be associated with the film version of the titular Scottish schoolteacher. Miss Jean Brody's heyday (1969), she won the first of her two Oscars. She then appeared in notable films such as: A trip with my aunt, a room with a view, the lonely passion of Judith Hearn, gosford park, and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' and its sequel.
She won her second Oscar for the film directed by Neil Simon. california suite (1978), in which she played a highly acclaimed British actress who is nominated for an Oscar but loses. Her other Hollywood films include supporting roles such as: sister act and its sequels, as well as Steven Spielberg's films hook.
Throughout his six-decade career, Smith returned to the stage frequently, appearing in classical and contemporary plays. She won a Tony Award in 1987 for the Peter Shaffer comedy. Lettice and lovage. She then specialized in Edward Albee's cold, alienated society women, appearing in Three Tall Women, A Delicate Balance, and The Lady of Dubuque.
Smith was married to the late actor Robert Stevens and had two sons. That marriage ended in divorce. She later married writer Beverly Cross, who died in 1998.
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