Maggie Smith, star of stage, screen and Downton Abbey, has died aged 89

LONDON (AP) — Maggie Smith, the masterful, scene-stealing actress who won an Oscar in 1969 for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and won new fans in the 21st century as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey.” from the Harry Potter films died on Friday. She was 89.

Smith's sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said in a statement that Smith died early Friday in a London hospital.

“She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” said a statement from publicist Clair Dobbs.

Smith was often regarded as the preeminent British actress of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench.

“Jean Brodie” won her the Oscar for Best Actress in 1969 and also the British Academy Award (BAFTA). In 1978, she added a supporting actress Oscar for “California Suite.”