Renowned British Actress Maggie Smith Dies at 87
LONDON – Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, a celebrated figure in British film and theatre for over seven decades, has passed away peacefully in a London hospital. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced the news on Friday, September 27th.
Smith, a Tony, Oscar, Golden Globe, and Bafta winner, achieved international fame in her later years for her iconic portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit television series “Downton Abbey”.
Born on December 28, 1934, Smith began her stage career in 1952 with the Oxford University Dramatic Society. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969 for her role in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, and later received another Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Othello” in the same year.
According to her sons, Smith was an intensely private person who was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing. They expressed their gratitude for the kind messages and support received, adding that Smith’s two sons and five loving grandchildren are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
Throughout her illustrious career, Maggie Smith left an indelible mark on the world of British film and theatre. Her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.
