Dame Maggie Smith, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise, died on Friday, her family confirmed to BBC.
The actress was 89 years old.
“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, wrote in a statement.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” the siblings continued. “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,” they added. “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.”
The brothers concluded by thanking Smith’s fans for their “kind messages and support” while requesting “privacy at this time.”
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