Acclaimed British actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for her versatile performances across stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 89, as reported by the BBC. A double Oscar winner and one of the few performers to win an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award, Smith's illustrious career began in the 1950s and spanned over six decades.

For many younger fans, she was immortalized as Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" series, and as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess in "Downton Abbey." However, her career was rich with notable achievements long before these roles. Smith earned her first Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Desdemona in "Othello" (1965), before securing her first Oscar for her performance as a Scottish schoolmistress in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969). She later won a second Oscar for her supporting role in the 1978 film "California Suite," which was praised by co-star Michael Caine for her exceptional performance.

Smith's career also shined on the stage, where she took on iconic roles such as Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and an elderly woman battling senility in "Three Tall Women." Other prominent works included her role in the film "Gosford Park" (2001).

Knighted in 1990 and made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II, Maggie Smith leaves behind a legacy of award-winning performances and unforgettable characters.