BREAKING: Legendary actress Maggie Smith dies at 89

The legendary actress Maggie Smith, who is best known for roles in the Harry Potter film series as well as Downton Abbey, has died at 89 years of age.  

According to Deadline, Smith's sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said that she died at a hospital in London on Friday. 

"She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September," they said in a statement. "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. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time," it added. They did not give a cause of death.  

Smith was featured as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, who headed the Gryffindor House and was a stern but caring character towards students. In Downton Abbey, she played the character of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.  

The actress was awarded her first Academy Award in 1970 with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and did so again nine years later with California Suite. Smith has also won four Emmy awards, all of which were for her performance in Downton Abbey.

Smith was born in 1934 and began acting as a teenager. She married Robert Stephens between the years 1967 and 1973, later wedding to Beverley Cross in 1975. Both her sons also sought out acting in their careers. She was considered to be one of finest British actors of her generation.