‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Downtown Abbey’ Actress Maggie Smith Passes Away At Age 89
(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
The entertainment industry lost a beloved film, TV and stage star this week: DameMaggie Smith. Known for roles on hit projects like the ‘Harry Potter’ films and ‘Downtown Abbey,’ Smith was 89 when she passed on Friday (Sept. 27).
According to the Associated Press, Maggie Smith’s sons, Christopher Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed the tragic news in a public statement issued by their publicity Clair Dobbs.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” the release stated.
Maggie Smith, actress, leaving London for Los Angeles with her sons Christopher (left – 3 and a half years old) and Toby (right – one and a half years old). She is due to appear in Design For Living by Noel Cowards, in America. 6th February 1971 (Photo by John Dove/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The statement further reveals that Smith died “peacefully in the hospital.” Smith was known to be private and ultimately passed at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after being treated there in her final days, the statement said. Maggie’s sons also thanked supporters for the kind messages and requested privacy. Details about Smith’s memorial service are not yet available.
Brief Look At Smith’s Life & Career
According to PEOPLE, Maggie Smith has starred in over 80 projects in her career. The first film that credits her is 1956’s ‘Child in the House.’ She won her first Oscar for ‘Best Actress’ in 1969 for her role as a school teacher in ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.’ Nearly a decade later, she won her second one. Her Tony Award came in 1990. That same year, Queen Elizabeth II honored her as a dame for her performing arts accomplishments.
Actress Maggie Smith pictured during a television interview, circa 1980. (Photo by Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images)
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Cassandra Santiago is a multimedia journalist, editor, and editorial strategist with over a decade of experience shaping conversations across arts, entertainment, culture, and global news. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she has built a cross-platform career spanning newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital media. She joined The Shade Room five years ago and currently serves as a Senior Editor, where she leads editorial direction, oversees exclusive coverage, and trains and edits a team of writers. Cassandra has played a key role in developing high-impact content and editorial strategies for an audience of more than 30 million, contributing to platform growth, engagement, and monetization across multiple channels. In addition to her leadership role, she remains a daily contributor, with her articles generating more than 41 million views since 2023. Beyond The Shade Room, Cassandra offers freelance social media strategy services, speaks on the influence and impact of Black media at public panels, and owns Did It For You, an event design company in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She is Poynter Institute–certified and was named to the DMV’s 35 Under 35 list in 2024.
