reader Posted September 27 Posted September 27 From BBC Actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, her family has said. A legend of British stage and screen, she won two Oscars during her career - for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979. She had four other nominations, and received eight Bafta awards. Leading the tributes, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Dame Maggie "was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come". In the Harry Potter films, Dame Maggie played the acerbic Professor Minerva McGonagall, famous for her pointed witch's hat and stern manner with the young wizards at Hogwarts. In hit ITV drama Downton Abbey, she played Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, the grand matriarch who excelled at withering one-liners through the show's six series. Follow live: Tributes to Dame Maggie Smith Obituary: Dame Maggie Smith A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said: "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." They thanked "the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days". They added: "We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk7375ngkxo KeepItReal, omega and Ruthrieston 3 Quote
Vessey Posted September 27 Posted September 27 She was indeed a National Treasure, and I am sure I wasn't the only one quietly shedding a tear at this sad news 😢 Ruthrieston 1 Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 16 Posted October 16 It's a shame that a lot of the obituaries say the highlight of her career was Harry Potter, or Downton Abbey, when she was so much more than that. Quote
reader Posted October 17 Author Posted October 17 On 10/16/2024 at 7:28 PM, Keithambrose said: It's a shame that a lot of the obituaries say the highlight of her career was Harry Potter, or Downton Abbey, when she was so much more than that. Very much agree. Although international audiences may not have been aware of it, her role in “Sister Act” (playing opposite Whoppi Goldberg) put her comedic side on full display. Magggie Smith could do it all and wonderfully. Quote
Members unicorn Posted October 21 Members Posted October 21 On 10/16/2024 at 8:28 AM, Keithambrose said: It's a shame that a lot of the obituaries say the highlight of her career was Harry Potter, or Downton Abbey, when she was so much more than that. Here she is playing with an unrecognizable Sir Lawrence Olivier: She received an Oscar nomination for her role in this movie. Quote
Keithambrose Posted October 21 Posted October 21 3 hours ago, unicorn said: Here she is playing with an unrecognizable Sir Lawrence Olivier: She received an Oscar nomination for her role in this movie. And won an Oscar for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Quote
