British actress Maggie Smith, who was one of the most respected actresses of her generation whose work spanned from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, her family said on Friday.
Smith was one of the nominees to win the treble of Oscar, Emmy and Tony during his seven decades on stage and screen, becoming a star known for his sharp wit and wit.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Smith had “introduced a whole new world to the many stories he has made in his long career”.
“He was loved by many because of his great talent, he became a real national treasure and his work will be highlighted for generations,” he said.
After debuting on stage in the 1950s, Smith became a performer at Britain's National Theater in the 1960s, working with Laurence Olivier, before winning his first Oscar at the end of the decade.
But for many young fans in the 21st century, she was best known as Professor McGonagall in all seven “Harry Potter” movies, and as the Dowager Countess in the hit TV series “Downton Abbey,” a role that seems tailor-made for an actress known for leaving a purse and and brutal cracking.
He died in a London hospital early on Friday, his sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said.
“A very independent person, he had friends and family at the end,” the statement said.
Smith's first Academy Award nomination was for her turn as Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier's “Othello” in 1965, before winning an Oscar for her role as an Edinburgh schoolmistress in 1969's “The Prime of Miss Jean”. Brodie.”
He won his second Oscar for his supporting role in the 1978 comedy “California Suite”.
Other acclaimed roles include Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde's “The Importance of Being Honest” on the West End stage, the 92-year-old battler in Edward Albee's “Three Tall Women,” and her part in 2001 black. comedy film “Gosford Park.”
In 1990 Smith was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and made a Dame.
