Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89

Summary

Dame Maggie Smith, star of the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89
A statement from Dame Maggie's sons says she died peacefully in hospital on Friday morning
Fellow Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville says she was a "true legend of her generation" with a "sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent"
A legend of British stage and screen, Dame Maggie won two Oscars during her career - for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979

Live Reporting

Edited by James Gregory

More memorable roles, and more awardspublished at 16:20 British Summer Time
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Dame Maggie Smith won a Bafta for her role in Bed Among the Lentils
The 1980s saw a number of memorable cinema performances from Dame Maggie Smith - and more awards.
There were Baftas for A Private Function and A Room With A View, the latter garnering her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
There were also Baftas for her roles in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne and in Bed Among the Lentils, one of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads series for the BBC.
It was back to the stage in 1987 in Lettice and Lovage at the Globe Theatre in London before the production transferred to New York.
But her run was interrupted after she suffered a bicycle accident and then learned she would need eye surgery.
When she finally resumed work on Lettice and Lovage, after a 12-month break, her New York performance won her a Tony.
- Obituary: Maggie Smith
One of the greatest actors', National Theatre sayspublished at 16:11 British Summer Time
The National Theatre, where Dame Maggie worked in its first season in 1963, says it is "reeling" from the news.
"She will forever be remembered as one of the greatest actors this country has had the inestimable pleasure of witnessing," it says in a statement.
"Her deep intelligence, effortless dexterity, sublime craft and sharp wit were simply legendary."
Becoming an international star and Oscar-winnerpublished at 16:00 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty Images
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The role of Jean Brodie, alongside future husband Robert Stephens, won her an Oscar
The role which brought Dame Maggie Smith international fame came in 1969 when she played the determinedly non-conformist teacher in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
The part won her a best actress Oscar. She also married her co-star, Robert Stephens.
The actress continued with the National Theatre for another two years including a performance as Mrs Sullen in the Restoration comedy The Beaux' Stratagem in Los Angeles.
She received another Oscar nomination for best actress after playing Aunt Augusta in the George Cukor film, Travels With My Aunt, in 1972.
She and Stephens divorced in 1975, and a year later she was married to the playwright, Beverley Cross, and also moved to Canada, spending four years in a repertory company where she took on weightier roles in Macbeth and Richard III.
One critic, writing of her performance as Lady Macbeth, decided she had "merged her own vivid personality with that of her charismatic subject".
Despite her success, she was modest about her achievements, stating simply that "one went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act, and one's still acting."
She continued to work in the cinema playing opposite Peter Ustinov in the 1978 film, Death on the Nile and, in the same year, the part of Diana Barrie in Neil Simon's California Suite.
- Obituary: Maggie Smith
A 'true national treasure', Starmer sayspublished at 15:47 British Summer Time
Image source, PA Media
Paying his own personal tribute, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Dame Maggie "introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career".
"She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come," he says in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Forging strong bonds with the Royal Familypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time
Felicity Baker
Royal Producer
Image source, PA Media
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Dame Maggie Smith being introduced to the Queen by actor Sir Laurence Olivier at a 1966 charity premiere of the film Othello at London's Odeon Theatre
Dame Maggie was not only royalty of the acting world, but she also forged strong relationships with the Royal Family.
She was among many celebrities who attended the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey last year.
And as Prince of Wales, the King hosted her at Sandringham including a visit to the Estate Flower Show, with fellow acting legend Dame Judi Dench.
In 2014 she was awarded the Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama.
Image source, PA Media
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She was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by the late-monarch nearly 50 years later
An actress who stood out from the very startpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time
Image source, PA Media
Dame Maggie Smith started out in the theatre as a prompt girl and understudy at the Oxford Repertory. She once claimed that she never got onto the stage there as not one of the company ever fell ill.
Her company moved to a small theatre in London in 1955 where she attracted the attention of an American producer, Leonard Stillman, who cast her in New Faces, a revue that opened on Broadway in June 1956.
She stood out among the cast of unknowns and, on her return to London, was offered a six month stint in the revue Share My Lettuce opposite Kenneth Williams.
Her first film role was an uncredited part in the 1956 production Child in the House.
Two years later she was nominated for a Bafta as best newcomer in the 1958 melodrama, Nowhere to Go, in which she played a girl who shelters an escaped convict.
She nearly stole the show from Richard Burton in the film The VIPs when she appeared in a pivotal scene with the Welsh star.
One critic noted that "when Maggie Smith is on the screen, the picture moves," and Burton afterwards teasingly described her upstaging of him as "grand larceny."
Later in 1963, Laurence Olivier offered her the part of Desdemona opposite his Othello, at the National Theatre. The production, with the original cast, was made into a film two years later, with Smith being nominated for an Academy Award.
- Obituary: Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie a 'true legend', says Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonnevillepublished at 14:57 British Summer Time
Actor Hugh Bonneville, who starred alongside Dame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey, pays tribute to her as a "true legend of her generation".
"Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent," he tells the BBC.
Her "magnificent" screen performances will live on, he adds.
A decades-long career on stage and screenpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time
Let's look back at a some pictures from Dame Maggie Smith's storied career, which lasted from the 1950s until only last year:
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Maggie Smith was a renowned stage actress, here playing Portia in Shakespeare's the Merchant of Venice
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Dame Maggie played Epifania in the Millionaires by Bernard Shaw in 1972
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She also starred in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads: Bed Among The Lentils in 1988
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And she played Betsey Trotwood in the BBC's adaptation of David Copperfield in 1999
Harry Potter role brought Dame Maggie to a new generation of film fanspublished at 14:39 British Summer Time
Noor Nanji
Culture reporter
Dame Maggie was an actress with incredible range and an esteemed career.
But for younger audiences, it was her role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone that really made her stand out.
It’s a role she would reprise in all of the subsequent Potter movies, and her role in the franchise brought her to a new generation of film fans.
She was, reportedly, the only performer the author JK Rowling specifically asked for, bringing a small touch of Miss Jean Brodie to Hogwarts.
A national treasure who brought incredible range to her rolespublished at 14:33 British Summer Time
Image source, PA Media
Dame Maggie Smith brought an incredible range of expression to her roles, winning high praise from directors and fellow actors alike.
It was said of her that she never took a role lightly and would often be pacing around at rehearsals going over her lines while the rest of the cast was on a break.
In a profession notorious for its uncertainties her career was notable for its longevity.
She made her acting debut in 1952 and was still working six decades later having moved from aspiring star to national treasure.
Read more about Dame Maggie in our obituary here.
Family announce death with 'great sadness'published at 14:19 British Summer Time
Here's the full statement from Smith's sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who say: "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.
"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
Actress Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89published at 14:18 British Summer Time
Actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, her family has said.