The world lost a legend.
Dame Maggie Smith, who stole every scene she appeared in, passed away at the age of 89:
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.”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.”
The ferocious actress started her career in the 1950s. The younger generations know her as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movie franchise and the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.
JK Rowling specifically asked for Smith to star in the movies.
Smith had breast cancer when filming Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, the sixth movie. She finished treatment after two years.
The breast cancer left Smith weak, but she returned for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, based on the last book and split into two movies.
Also, who could forget Smith as Mother Superior in the movie Sister Act?!
Smith won an Oscar for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and California Suite (1978).
The Academy nominated her for Othello, Travels With My Aunt, A Room With a View, and Gosford Park.
The BAFTAs nominated her numerous times, winning five times.
Smith won three Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe for Downton Abbey.
The legendary actress explained the role of the countess came naturally to her:
“It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky,” she once said. “Maybe that’s why I’m quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies.”
I’m guessing that’s another reason Smith nailed the Mother Superior role! Oh, how I love that movie!
The first time Delores and Mother Superior meet. Love it.
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