After , it's been revealed she passed away exactly one year after her Sir Michael Gambon. The Dumbledore actor died on September 27 last year at the age of 82, with Smith dying on the same day this year at the age of 89. While spanning decades, she will perhaps always be best remembered for her role as the no-nonsense Professor Minerva McGonagall and Downton Abbey’s sharp-tongued matriarch Violet.
Gambon took over the role of Professor Dumbledore in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban after the death of Richard Harris, who played the wizard before his death in 2002 at the age of 72. Smith's sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin confirmed the news of her passing, sharing in a statement, "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 continued, "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." A representative for Gambon revealed last year that the actor died "peacefully" on the evening of September 27. "We are devastated to ann.
