Harry Potter Professor Passes away at 89

On the morning of Sept. 27, the acting world lost a legend. It had been announced that British born actor, Dame Maggie Smith, had died at 89. 

With her theatre career beginning at just 17 years old, Smith’s popularity took off with her performance in British TV series, All For Love, playing Mrs. Silly. In North America, her roles as Granny Wendy in the film Hook, and Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden made her a household name in the early 90’s. 

Adoration for Smith as an actress skyrocketed when she took the role of Professor McGonagle in the movie series, Harry Potter. Her reputation was solidified by this role as Harry Potter author, J.K Rowling, specifically requested Smith to play the role.  

Proving her star power and the talent behind it, Smith yet again gained worldwide recognition for portraying Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the TV show Downton Abbey.  

Smith has also been given many prestigious titles. She was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1970 New Year Honours and was later made a Dame at the 1990 New Year Honours for her services in the performing arts. In 2014, Smith was assigned membership of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services in drama at the Queen’s Birthday Honours. This made her the third actress to receive the honour after Dame Sybil Thorndike (1970) and Dame Judi Dench (2005). 

Dame Maggie Smith leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren. The cause of her death is currently unknown.