Dame Maggie Smith, 'Harry Potter' and 'Downton Abbey' star, dies at 89

getty_maggie_smith_09272024871805
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Maggie Smith, the venerable British actress whose career on stage, film and television spanned more than 60 years, has died. She was 89.

Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed she had died in a statement to the Press Association.

Having appeared in more than 50 films, Smith was considered one of Britain’s best-known actresses and was beloved by recent generations for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the Dowager Countess of Grantham on television’s Downton Abbey.

In addition to winning two Academy Awards, Smith earned five BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award. In 1990, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

3-sisters-2025

Snowflake Boutique

The 49th Snowflake Boutique will be Friday, November 7th 1:00pm -8:00pm and Saturday, November 8th 9:00am – 5:00pm at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in the South Sisters Building. Admission is $4.00 per person, children

2022-happy-girls-bend_52093020947_o

2025 Happy Girls Sisters Run

Enjoy some bonding time with women of all ages and levels in the appropriately-named town of Sisters, Oregon. Choose between the all-women’s trail half marathon featuring single-track in the Deschutes National Forest (on the Peterson Ridge Trail

static_digital_840x400_thomasrhett_2025_regional_cascadesamphitheater_0926

Thomas Rhett at Cascades Amphitheater

Get ready for an unforgettable night of country music as Thomas Rhett brings his Better In Boots Tour  to the Cascades Amphitheater in Ridgefield, WA, on Friday, September 26, at 7:30 PM. Join us for an evening