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Privacy NoticeDownton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith has passed away aged 89. The acting icon’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin confirmed in a statement that she died on Friday 27 September surrounded by friends and family. “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 wrote. “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.
Maggie Smith is best known for her role as Lady Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey
(Image: (Image: ITV))
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.” The British actress is best known for playing Violet Crawley in ITV’s Downton Abbey and Harry Potter’s Professor Minerva McGonagall during her seven-decade career. The critically-acclaimed actress received two Academy Awards for her performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and California Suite in 1978. Meanwhile, Maggie picked up three Emmy Awards for her role in Downton Abbey. Maggie began her acting career aged 17, landing her first film role in 1956 with Child in the House. She went onto perform in 1965’s Othello and other hit films such as A Room with a View, Sister Act, Richard III and Gosford Park.
Dame Maggie Smith received an array of awards during her seven-decade career, including two Oscars
In recent years, Maggie appeared in the two Downton Abbey films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Lady in the Van and The Miracle Club. Maggie is survived by her two sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, who she shared with her first husband Robert Stephens. The couple, who married in 1967, divorced eight years later and Maggie went onto marry playwright Alan Cross. Maggie and Alan were married until Alan’s death in 1998. Maggie is also survived her five grandchildren. Earlier this year, reports hit the headlines that Downton Abbey bosses were hoping to make a spin-off about Lady Crawley’s life. While ITV is yet to confirm the news, House of the Dragon star Emily Carey was reportedly one of the contenders alongside Yellowjacket actress Ella Purnell. Another star said to be a potential fit for the role is The Crown’s Viola Prettejohn, who appeared in series five. According to reports, the prequel will focus on Lady Violet will delve into the character’s romances as a younger woman and will be set in the 1800s.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDownton AbbeyHarry Potter
