Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith dies aged 89
By Ted Hennessey, PA
Oscar-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith has died in hospital aged 89.
Smith was one of the most versatile, accomplished and meticulous actresses of her generation, her repertoire ranging from Shakespeare to character parts in Harry Potter.
Probably her greatest triumph was in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, for which she won her first Oscar.
She was spotted by Laurence Olivier, who saw her as much more than just a vaudeville performer and invited her to join the newly-formed Royal National Theatre Company in London.
There, and at the Old Vic, she excelled in both tragedy and comedy, moving easily from Shakespeare to Noel Coward, to Restoration comedy to Ibsen.
As a “rep” actress, she was able to develop her incredible range, skill and talent among some of Britain’s best actors, including Robert Stephens, who was to become her first husband. They married in 1967 but divorced in 1974.
Other film roles include her portrayal of a drunken Oscar loser in California Suite, the dying older lover in Love, Pain And The Whole Damn Thing, the tragic lodger in The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne, and the so-called “funny old bat” in Gosford Park, which brought her a sixth Oscar nomination.
Smith won over a whole new generation of fans when she played Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.
The film industry began to recognise her abilities and she was given several supporting roles.
Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital on Friday morning.
They said in a statement: “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.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”