Beloved actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

In a statement issued via their publicist, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: “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.

Maggie Smith has passed away aged 89 (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

“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.”

The legendary actress was perhaps most well known for her role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter – heartbreakingly, she has become the 26th cast member to have died since the movies first became so loved all the way back in 2001.

Smith was also a beloved name throughout her entire career, with her being well known for her time on Downton Abbey and Sister Act.

Tributes have begun pouring in from fans online, devastated by the death of the beloved actor.

James Crooks, a film journalist, posted on Twitter saying: “An absolutely fantastic actress whose presence will be missed. So influential to British television and film too, what a shame.”

Gyles Brandreth posted a picture of the pair and said: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.

“She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful.

“One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”

Another account posted on Twitter and said: “One of those news you think you’ll never hear because in your heart they’re just immortal.

“Rest in peace, Dame Maggie Smith. You’ll be deeply missed.”

One fan posted on Twitter to say: “Heartbreaking news. An iconic actress that will be dearly missed.”

Another pointed to her role in Harry Potter, saying: “Will always remember this as one of Maggie Smith’s most iconic scenes”.

Smith’s role as Minerva McGonagall was an iconic one, with Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe crediting her for getting him the role.

He said in 2011: “Well she got me the job at Potter, practically, so for anyone who doesn’t know that story, I basically owe everything to Maggie Smith because I worked with her on David Copperfield and then she came over to Potter as McGonagall and said to the director, you need to audition this boy.”

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Source: Tampa Bay Times