Maggie Smith, a multi-award-winning actor, whose decades-long career in film and TV saw her play roles which ranged from Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter to Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey has died aged 89. The news was confirmed by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens in a statement. They said: "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 September". Here is a look back at some of the most memorable moments in her career Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning star of stage and screen, dies aged 89 Maggie Smith: the magisterial star of Harry Potter and Downton had the courage and talent to do absolutely everything Maggie Smith"s 20 best films – ranked!