Actress Dame Maggie Smith Dies at 89

A legend of British stage and screen, Actress Dame Maggie Smith won two Oscars during her career - for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979.

She had four other nominations, and received eight Bafta awards.

In the Harry Potter films, Dame Maggie played the acerbic Professor Minerva McGonagall, famous for her pointed witch's hat and stern manner with the young wizards at Hogwarts.

In hit ITV drama Downton Abbey, she played Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, the grand matriarch who excelled at withering one-liners through the show's six series.

Some of her other most memorable roles include the 1985 Merchant Ivory film A Room With a View, in which she played the chaperone Charlotte Barlett, accompanying Helen Bonham Carter's Lucy Honeychurch to Italy.

The role won her nominations for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Dame Maggie Smith’s illustrious career has left an indelible mark on both stage and screen, showcasing her extraordinary talent and versatility. 

Her sharp wit and remarkable presence will continue to inspire and entertain for generations to come.