Maggie Smith, the British actor who held iconic roles as the titular character in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969), the dowager of "Downton Abbey" and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" film series, died Friday at the age of 89.
Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, Smith's sons, issued a statement confirming Smith's death, which their publicist shared. In the statement, they write: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. 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. 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.”
