RIP, Dame Maggie Smith (1934-2024)

 Reel Illustrated commiserates with the family of  British actress Dame Maggie Smith who passed away yesterday at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. She was 89 at the time of her death. 

Dame Maggie Smith won several awards during her long stage and film career;  a  Best Actress Oscar and BAFTA  for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for California Suite, 3 Primetime  Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her role as the Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey" and one for "My House in Umbria". She was also known for her role as the stern but kind deputy headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film franchise, The Mother Superior in "Sister Act" and "Sister Act 2", the efficient but twisted housekeeper in "Keeping Mum" and the mentally disturbed Margaret Shepherd in "The Lady in the Van". 

She is survived by her 2 sons, Toby Stevens ("Die Another Day" villain, Gustave Graves) and Chris Larkin, and 5 grandchildren.

Tributes: 

As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage"

 - Charles III 

A great woman and a brilliant actress. I still can't believe I was lucky enough to work with the 'one-of-a-kind.

 - Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act and Sister Act 2) 

I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her...the word legend is overused, but if it applies to anyone in our industry, then it applies to her. Thank you, Maggie.

- Daniel Radcliffe (The Harry Potter franchise)

RIP, Dame Maggie Smith 

Video: Top 10 Best Maggie Smith Moments