British actress Maggie Smith, an award-winning Shakespearean performer and two-time Oscar recipient who later starred in the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 89.
Smith, who began her illustrious career on stage in the 1950s, is one of the rare actors who have won a Tony, four Emmys, and two Oscars.
However, in the 21st century, she was most recognised for playing Professor McGonagall in all seven “Harry Potter” films and the Dowager Countess in the popular TV show and film spin-offs of “Downton Abbey,” a role that seemed perfect for an actress renowned for her purse-lipped asides.
Prior to winning the Oscar for her performance as an Edinburgh schoolmistress in 1969’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” she was nominated for an Academy Award for the first time in 1965 for her role as Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier in “Othello.”
In the 1978 comedy “California Suite,” Maggie had a supporting role that earned her a second Oscar. Michael Caine, her co-star, commented after seeing her performance, “Maggie didn’t just steal the film; she committed grand larceny.”
Her other highly lauded appearances were a 92-year-old woman fiercely fighting senility in Edward Albee’s play “Three Tall Women,” Lady Bracknell in Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” on the West End stage, and a role in the 2001 black comedy film “Gosford Park.”
Smith became a Dame and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1990.
Also Read: Gujarat: RS MP Parimal Nathwani Suggests Naming Rajkot Airport After Former CM Keshubhai Patel
