British actress Maggie Smith, renowned for her versatile and iconic performances, has passed away at the age of 89, according to a report by the BBC.
Smith’s illustrious career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on both film and television. She became globally recognized for her roles in the Harry Potter series, where she played the stern yet compassionate Professor McGonagall, and in Downton Abbey, portraying the witty and sharp-tongued Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley.
Her career took off in the 1960s, and in 1964 she delivered a celebrated performance as Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier in Othello, later reprising the role in the film adaptation. Smith’s first Academy Award came in 1969 for her role as an unconventional schoolteacher in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, earning her the Oscar for Best Actress.
She continued to shine in the decades that followed, receiving a second Academy Award in 1978 for Best Supporting Actress in Neil Simon’s California Suite. Smith’s talents were equally recognized on the British stage, where she received multiple BAFTA awards for her roles in films such as A Room with a View (1985) and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987), further cementing her place as one of Britain’s most beloved actresses.
Smith’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary era for British cinema and television, as her unique presence, wit, and talent touched audiences across generations.
Source: ANA-MPA
