Tributes pour in following death of Dame Maggie Smith
After the death of the award-winning iconic actor Dame Maggie Smith, fans and colleagues are coming together to pay tribute to a star who will be remembered as one of the greatest actors in British history.
Smith passed away in a London hospital on September 27th. News of her passing has been confirmed by her children, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who said 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.”
“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,” the message continued.
Stephens and Larkin continued: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
As noted in their statement, Smith liked to keep her personal life private. Nevertheless, she was known worldwide for delivering some of the best performances in the most iconic roles to hit the big, small screens, and stage. Smith got her start performing as Viola in Twelfth Night at the Oxford Playhouse before making her way overseas and eventually onto the silver screen.
Many of her most memorable moments were as Violet Crawley in the TV series and subsequent two films of Downton Abbey. She also starred as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise, a role that captured the hearts of millions and cemented her as an acting hero. The passionate way with which she conveyed the whole breadth of human emotion and the touching humbleness she brought to every role meant that her performances were irresistible.
Despite making a big name for herself in Hollywood, she never left her love of the theatre behind and performed in plays throughout her life. She performed as one of the titular roles in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, and one of her most recent on-stage appearances was starring in A German Life at the Bridge Theatre.
Her cause of death is currently unknown. However, following the news of her sad passing, fans and colleagues have begun sharing kind words about Smith, both as an actor and a person. The star’s prolific career has touched many lives, which is evident in how people speak about her.
In a touching tribute, Giles Brandreth wrote, “The death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life. She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”
Omid Djalili, famed actor from Notting Hill, The World Is Not Enough and Gladiator also paid tribute to Smith on social media. He wrote, “We’ve lost one the best today. RIP Maggie Smith.“
The Baftas also shared a tribute to the five-time winner, writing, “We’re saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89. Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and BAFTA Fellowship during her highly acclaimed career.”
Hollywood star Rob Lowe posted on X: “Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!”
In tribute, Studio Canal shared: “Magisterial. A true British icon. There’ll never be another like Dame Maggie Smith”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also showcased the significance of the star by taking a break from his UN conference to write: “Dame Maggie Smith introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career. She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
Smith’s Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville also remarked on the warmth of her as a person. “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent,” he wrote. “She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
Furthermore, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens shared: “Truly one of The Greats. RIP”.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes said: “Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career. She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny and heart-breaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I will never forget her.”
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