British actress Maggie Smith passed at the age of 89 at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on Sep. 27. She was reported to have passed peacefully in a private setting, surrounded by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, and her five grandchildren.

Smith began her career as an actress in 1952 at the Oxford Playhouse, starring as Viola in the play “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare. She established an extraordinary acting career, being dubbed the “Triple Crown of Acting,” receiving an Academy Award, an Emmy, and a Tony. In 1990, she received the honor of being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Her most famous roles were the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the period drama Downton Abbey, and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. 

Many people paid tribute to Smith following her passing. Daniel Radcliffe, actor that played the role of Harry Potter, acknowledged her “fierce intellect” and “gloriously sharp tongue.” Moreover, King Charles called her a “national treasure.”

“I think Maggie Smith’s death is saddening,” Kevin Kim (10), Harry Potter fan, said. “[But] I’m glad that people are still willing to be a fan of Harry Potter because the hype kind of died down.”

Whether starring in a play or movie, Smith’s legacy in the film industry will remain forever in the hearts of many people.