Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, known for her iconic role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, has passed away at age 89.
The tragic news was confirmed in a statement (penned by sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens) obtained by The Guardian that reads:
"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."
Smith's sons concluded the statement by thanking fans for the love and support and the continue to mourn the death of their beloved mother.
"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
Smith was born in 1934 and picked up acting the Playhouse theatre in Oxford when she was just a teenager. The actress went on to front timeless films like California Suite, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Gosford Park, and A Room With a View, to name only a few of her contributions to film. She excelled in bringing the perfect amount of humor to her roles, candidly telling The Guardian in 2004 that she was "pigeonholed" into humorous characters.
"I think I got pigeonholed in humour … If you do comedy, you kind of don’t count. Comedy is never considered the real thing."
A woman of many talents, Smith was also praised and awarded for her roles in drama Hedda Gabler and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (for which she won best actress at the British Academy Film Awards). The star was even nominated for a Bafta for her breakthrough role in 1957 thriller, Nowhere to Go.
The icon's career spanned over six decades, known fondly by Harry Potter fans as the series' beloved transfiguration teacher and in Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley, the matriarch of the Crawley Family.
Smith is remembered by family members and her countless contributions to the entertainment industry.
Rest in peace, Maggie Smith.