Legendary actress Maggie Smith, beloved for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89, her sons announced on Friday.
Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens shared the heart-wrenching news through their publicist, stating that she died in a hospital early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.
“An intensely private person, she leaves behind two sons and five adoring grandchildren who are heartbroken over the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother,” the statement revealed.
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The family extended their gratitude to the dedicated staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care during her final days. They requested privacy during this difficult time.
News of Smith’s passing sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media.
British TV personality Gyles Brandreth posted a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing memories and a photo with the actress.
The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life. She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/34EOnE4Zgp
— Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) September 27, 2024
In his tribute, Brandreth expressed, “The death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life. A truly great actress, wise, witty, waspish, wonderful—she was irreplaceable.”
Actor Omid Djalili also remembered Smith on X, sharing pictures and sentiments of loss with the caption, “We’ve lost one of the best today. RIP Maggie Smith.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.