Actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for the ‘Harry Potter’ movies and “Downton Abbey”, has died at the age of 89. She passed away in hospice care, surrounded by her family.
Of course, the British actress was much more than just those two ultra-popular IPs. Smith was wonderfully grouchy in 1985’s “A Room With A View,” 2001’s “Gosford Park,” and her best work, 1969’s underrated “The Prime of Jean Brodie.”
In fact, Smith won the best actress Oscar for ‘Jean Brodie,’ and later won her second statuette, this time as supporting actress, for 1978’s “California Suite.” In total, she amassed six Oscar nominations for her work in “Gosford Park,” “A Room With A View,” “Othello” (1969), and “Travels With My Aunt.”
I’m glad Smith’s work as Professor McGonagel in eight ‘Harry Potter’ movies, as well as her Countess Grantham on “Downton Abbey” brought her mainstream visibility, to a whole new generation, and that was really just the tip of the iceberg of what’s amounted to a colossal acting career.