Maggie Smith, the revered and legendary actress who enjoyed a more than six-decade career, has died at the age of 89, her sons announced on Friday.
The Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star’s sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens shared a statement via their publicist, in which they shared “with great sadness” that she had passed away in hospital early this morning.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” read the statement. “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. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
As news of Smith’s passing circulated, a flood of tributes were shared on social media.
British TV personality and former politician Gyles Brandreth took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a photo of himself with the actress in happier times.
“The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life,” read an accompanying caption. “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.”
Actor Omid Djalili, who has appeared in a host of Hollywood hits, including Notting Hill, Gladiator, and The World Is Not Enough, also paid tribute to Smith on X.
