British actress Dame Maggie Smith known for her roles in Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89 in a London hospital, surrounded by friends and family, Reuters reports.
Smith became one of the few actors to achieve the “triple crown” of an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony award throughout her seven-decade career. Smith won two Academy Awards, one for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) and another for “California Suite” (1978). She was widely recognized for her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series and the Dowager Countess in the “Downton Abbey” TV series.
Smith was honored by Queen Elizabeth and was knighted as a Dame in 1990 for her contributions to the arts. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised her as a “national treasure” whose work will be cherished for generations.
