The Oscar-winning actress passed away earlier today
Dame Maggie Smith passed away earlier today and fans have noticed a heartbreaking detail.
The two-time Oscar winning actress, best known for her portrayals of Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potterand Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, died aged 89 on Friday (September 27) morning.
Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, announced the tragic news in a statement reading, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. 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.
“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,” they added. “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Smith died aged 89. (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Following the announcement of Smith’s passing, Harry Potter fans have realized that the actress passed away on the same day exactly one year after her Harry Pottercostar, Sir Michael Gambon.
Gambon, who played Professor Albus Dumbledore in the franchise, died last year on September 27th at the age of 82.
At the time of his death, a statement was released on behalf of his family that read: “We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
“We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.”
Gambon and Smith notably shared many scenes together across the Harry Potter films, with their characters and their performances remaining widely loved by fans.
The actor was widely known for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
The two actors had incredibly decorated careers with Gambon winning two Screen Actors Guild awards, three Olivier awards, and four BAFTAs.
Meanwhile, Smith is a two-time Oscar winning actress with numerous stage accolades and eight BAFTAs.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to Smith earlier today in a statement, writing: “She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.
“I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”