Harry Potter star Dame Maggie Smith aka Professor Minerva McGonagall dies at 89

Harry Potter actress Dame Maggie Smith passes away at 89.

Hollywood actress Dame Maggie Smith who played the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter series has passed away at the age of 89. The news has been confirmed by her family. The actress was known for her iconic roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey. As per reports, the actress passed away in the hospital on Friday morning and was surrounded by friends and family.

Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, her sons shared the news of her death in a statement issued through publicist Clair Dobbs. The statement read, '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'. The statement concluded with, '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. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time'.

Maggie Smith was best known for her exceptional performance in Harry Potter. She received immense love for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, in Downton Abbey. She won two Academy Awards - first for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and later for California Suite (1978). She was born on 28 December 1934 to Margaret Hutton and Nathaniel Smith at Essex. Her family moved to Oxford when she was four years old. The actress went to Oxford High School and later left studying as she took up acting at the Oxford Playhouse.

Her family, friends and fans are mourning her loss as they remember her spectacular performances in films. Her contribution to the world of cinema was phenomenal.