Legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith has passed away at the age of 89 after a seven-decade career. Fans at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter paid tribute to her by holding up their wands at the replica of Hogwarts castle. Best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Smith also had an illustrious career with multiple Academy Awards and nominations. Her sons announced her death and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Legendary Actress Dame Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89
The world of entertainment has been plunged into mourning with the passing of legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith. The beloved star, best known for her iconic roles in the "Harry Potter" franchise and "Downton Abbey," died peacefully at the age of 89 after a remarkable seven-decade career.
Early Life and Career
Maggie Smith was born in Ilford, Essex, England, on December 28, 1934. She developed a passion for acting at an early age and went on to study at the Oxford Playhouse School of Drama. Smith made her professional debut in 1952 at the Oxford Playhouse and quickly gained recognition for her talent and versatility.
Breakthrough Roles
Smith's breakout role came in 1965 when she starred as Desdemona in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Othello." Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In 1969, she won her first Academy Award for her role in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," cementing her status as a leading lady.
Iconic Harry Potter and Downton Abbey Roles
In later years, Smith became a global icon thanks to her memorable roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" film series and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the television drama "Downton Abbey." Her portrayal of these characters earned her worldwide acclaim and countless awards, including two more Academy Award nominations.
Legacy
Dame Maggie Smith's legacy as one of the greatest actresses of all time is undeniable. Her exceptional talent, wit, and ability to inhabit a wide range of characters made her a true icon in the world of film and television. Her loss is a profound one, and she will be deeply missed by fans and fellow actors alike.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: When did Maggie Smith die? A1: She passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023, at the age of 89.
Q2: What was her most famous role? A2: She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise.
Q3: How many Academy Awards did she win? A3: She won two Academy Awards, one for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1969 and another for her role in "California Suite" in 1978.
Q4: What was her connection to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? A4: Fans at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, paid tribute to her by holding up their wands at the replica of Hogwarts castle.
Q5: How old was she when she died? A5: She was 89 years old at the time of her death.
The much-awaited success celebration of the Velpari book, written by director Shankar and starring superstar Rajinikanth, was held in Chennai at the Kalaivanar Arangam. The event marked a milestone for the project, as Rajinikanth unveiled the 'Velpari 1,00,000' success emblem, representing the sale of 100,000 copies of the book. Director Shankar expressed his excitement for the upcoming film, comparing it to his previous dream project Enthiran and calling it a potential proud Indian-Tamil film, similar to Game of Thrones and Avatar. With such high expectations and support from cinema legends, Velpari is set to make a remarkable impact on the Tamil film industry.
Future tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are replicating a stat from the two greats, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both Alcaraz and Sinner will be playing in the French Open and Wimbledon finals in 2025, just like Federer and Nadal did in 2008. Alcaraz recently defeated Sinner in a grueling five-set match at the French Open, similar to Federer and Nadal's battle in 2008. While the younger duo has only eight Major titles between them so far, the comparison to Federer and Nadal is evident in their fierce rivalry on the court. Alcaraz will be looking to continue his dominance over Sinner on Sunday, as they face each other in the grass court finals for the second time.
The highly anticipated film "Udaipur Files" has hit a roadblock as the Delhi High Court has temporarily halted its release. The court's decision comes after the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case filed petitions seeking a permanent ban on the movie, citing concerns about their right to a fair trial. The court has directed the petitioners to approach the central government with their grievances within two days.
The highly-anticipated latest installment in the Superman franchise, directed by James Gunn, has taken the international box office by storm with a total of $40.3M in just two days. The film premiered in 78 international territories, with major markets like France, Korea, Italy, and Indonesia showing strong numbers. With big opening days and strong comparisons to other popular franchises, Superman is set to dominate the box office in the coming weeks.
The highly anticipated upcoming Rajinikanth-starrer 'Coolie' released its second single titled "Monica" featuring Pooja Hedge and Soubin Shahir. The energetic song with lyrics by Vishnu Edavan and vocals by Subhashini and Anirudh is already gaining positive reactions from fans on social media. The movie, slated to release on August 14, boasts a stellar cast including Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, and others. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP government in Odisha of giving preferential treatment to Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani during the Jagannath Yatra last month.
Soubin Shahir, a popular Malayalam actor and producer, was arrested by the Maradu Police along with his co-producers Babu Shahir and Shaun Antony in connection with a financial fraud case. The complaint was filed by an investor who alleged that the producers collected a significant sum of money from him but failed to share any profits. While the accused claims to have returned the investment and profits were ready for disbursal, investigations have revealed misleading practices in the production of hit movie 'Manjummel Boys'. Amidst the legal troubles, Soubin is set to expand his career by acting in a high-profile film with Rajinikanth.
Telugu actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan will soon be seen in an action-packed film titled 'They Call Him OG'. The teaser of the film, which recently received a UA 16+ certification from the CBFC, promises intense drama and a riveting storyline. Fans are eagerly awaiting the film's release, which has been postponed to 2025 due to production delays.
Coolie starring Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir, Uppendra and Aamir Khan is creating a lot of excitement with the release of its second single, Monica. The high-energy track features Pooja Hegde and Soubin Shahir showcasing their mesmerizing dance moves, promising to be a crowd favorite in theaters. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is set to release worldwide on August 14th, and the buzz surrounding the film and its song Monica is at an all-time high.
Amitabh Bachchan is officially returning as the host of India’s beloved game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, in its 17th season. The announcement was made by Sony Entertainment Television with a creative promo featuring a reference to one of Big B’s iconic movie characters. Rumours of his departure and replacement by Salman Khan were also cleared by the legendary star, putting fans at ease.
As India prepares for its Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Bollywood celebrity Rakhi Sawant exercised her right to vote and also shared a viral video on her social media. In the video, she warns the political party she has voted for to become 'corruption-free' and also demands for cheaper prices at the famous 'Lokhandwala market'. This is not the first time Rakhi Sawant has garnered attention with her controversial statements and actions, as she has previously made headlines with her alleged marriage and feud with actress Tanushree Dutta over sexual harassment allegations.