Professor McGonagall no more; British actress Maggie Smith passes away at 89

Maggie Smith, best known for playing Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" movie franchise and Dowager Countess Violet Crawley on "Downton Abbey," has passed away at 89

"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,” said her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith was a British actress. Known for her wit in comedy roles, she has had an extensive career on stage and screen for over seven decades and is one of Britain's best-known and greatest actresses. She has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and nominations for six Lawrence Olivier Awards. Smith was one of the few performers to win the triple title of acting.

It was her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series that really made her an iconic figure for the young audience. Smith received attention and international fame for her role as Violet Crawley in the British-era play Downton Abbey (2010-2015). This role earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards. In her career, she has won several honorary awards, including the British Film Institute Fellowship in 1993, the BAFTA Fellowship in 1996, and the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 2010. Smith was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for contributions to the Arts.