Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89. Born in London on Dec. 28, 1934, Margaret Natalie Smith became a stage actress in the 1950s, before transitioning to movies.
But she does have ties to Ontario, appearing in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, including Anthony and Cleopatra, Richard III and Macbeth, from 1976 to 1980. Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, shared news of her death in a London hospital with a press release early Friday (Sept. 27).
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” Smith’s sons said in a statement through a publicist. The Oscar-winning actor was known for more current roles of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the ” ” movies, and the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, in ” ” miniseries and movies. In playing the Dowager Countess, Smith received three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.
However, Smith won her first Oscar for her portrayal of the title role in the British drama film ” ” (1969) and her second as Best Supporting Actress portraying an Oscar loser in the anthology comedy ” ” (1978). She has also won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in “Lettice and Lovage” (1990). She was nominated for several other awards, and was named a Dame in 1990.
“Magnificent actress, magnificent lady. As entertaining, sharp and witty off screen as she.