Maggie Smith: Fans and friends pay tribute to the beloved actress

bBeloved British actress Maggie Smith, who won hearts with her performance Downton Abbey‘s Violet Crawley and Harry PotterProfessor Minerva McGonagall died on Friday morning at the age of 89.

Smith died peacefully at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on September 27, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens confirmed in a statement on Friday. “She was an extremely private person and ended up hanging out with friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” the statement said. “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy during this time.” Her family also thanked the hospital staff for their kindness.

The star took on a number of roles throughout her career and won two Oscars for her performances in the 1969 film The heyday of Miss Jean Brodie and the 1973 film Traveling with my auntalong with four other nominations. Smith also took home several BAFTA awards, including a Best Actress award Lonely Passion by Judith Hearne and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, among several other achievements.

Her contributions to the arts have been recognized by royalty – Smith was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a form of knighthood, by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 – but also by other notable actors, politicians and celebrities.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences to Smith’s family and loved ones. “Dame Maggie Smith opened up new worlds for us with the countless stories she played over the course of her long career,” he said in a statement on X. “She was loved by so many for her great talent and became truly national Treasure whose work will remain valued for generations to come.”

The former Lord Commissioner of the British Treasury, Gyles Brandreth, described her as “one of the greats” and raved about her wise and witty personality.

“I am saddened to hear that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; Sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did,” said actor Rob Lowe, who worked with Smith Suddenly, last summer. “We will never see another one again. Thank God, Mrs. Smith!”

Star Trek Actor George Takei expressed his condolences and called her a “big star of film and stage” in a post on X.

Whoopi Goldberg, who starred alongside Smith Sister lawHe shared a tribute on Instagram along with a photo from the film. “I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with the ‘One of a Kind’. My deepest condolences to the family…RIP,” she captioned the photo.

“Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her keen eye, sharp wit and impressive talent,” Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville shared in a statement to the BBC. “She was a true legend of her generation and will thankfully live on in so many great film performances. My condolences go out to her boys and family.”

Smith’s name trended along with “RIP Queen” on X as fans shared their grief online. “Rest in peace, an absolute treasure, Dame Maggie Smith. They are reunited,” wrote one user who shared a picture of Smith with Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon, two other actors from the Harry Potter series who had previously passed away.

Others shared snippets of their favorite performances of hers, calling Smith a “British icon” and “brilliant actress.”

“She was also such an important part of my childhood and adult life,” one user wrote. “Thank you, Maggie, for the wonderful talent you shared with all of us.”