Remembering the actress Dame Maggie Smith | Masterpiece

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Acclaimed British actress Dame Maggie Smith died on September 27, 2024. Smith was 89 years old.

Smith was born in Ilford, England in 1934, grew up in Oxford, England, and made her stage debut at a local theater as a teenager. Smith had an unparalleled career that earned her Oscar, Tony, Golden Globe awards and more. Smith won three Emmy Awards for her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Downton Abbey.

Smith was known for a number of acclaimed projects on stage, television and film, including her Oscar-winning performances in The heyday of Miss Jean BrodieAnd California SuiteRoll in Gosford Park, A room with a view, Tea with MussoliniThe Harry Potter films and Downton Abbeyamong many others.

In 1990, Smith was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin released a statement saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday September 27th. A very private person, she ended up with friends and family. She leaves behind 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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and tireless kindness during her final days.

“We thank you for all of your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Downton Abbey Creator Julian Fellowes wrote in a statement: “Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the final act of her outstanding career. She was a joy to write for, subtle, complex, intelligent, funny and heartbreaking. Working with her was the greatest privilege of my career and I will never forget it.”

Hugh Bonneville, Lord Grantham in Downton AbbeyShe issued a statement saying: “She was a true legend of her generation and will thankfully live on in so many great film performances. “My condolences go out to her boys and family.”

Michelle Dockery, who played Lady Mary Crowley, narrated deadline in a statement: “There was no one like Maggie. I am very lucky to have met such an outsider. She will be missed very much and my thoughts are with her family.”

Allen Leech, Tom Branson in Downton Abbey“Maggie was a master of her craft and a joy to be with,” she told People. As a global audience, we have lost one of the greatest. My condolences go out to her sons and grandchildren, her family and her dearest and closest friends. It was an honor to know and work with a true legend of the screen.”

Joanne Froggatt, who portrayed Anna Bates in the series, posted on Instagram in part: “She was truly a trailblazer, with the sharpest wit, the greatest talent, the naughtiest sense of humor, she was a force to be reckoned with.” She had a charisma that you thought would live forever (in many ways it will), and behind it all was a big heart.”

Susanne Simpson, executive producer of MASTERPIECE, said: “The entire MASTERPIECE and PBS family is terribly saddened by the news of Maggie Smith’s death. She was an icon and will be greatly missed both by us personally and by our audience who took her to their hearts Downton Abbey. She will be remembered by all of us for decades of unforgettable performances.”

View a slideshow of some highlights from Smith's career.

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