Maggie Smith, star of stage, film and ‘Downton Abbey,’ has died at 89

Dame Maggie Smith, the British legend of the stage and screen who enjoyed a seven-decade career in show business, died on Friday.

She was 89.

Her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said in a statement, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.”

They added: “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.”

Smith, who was born in Ilford, England, on Dec. 28, 1934, was best known for playing stern Professor McGonagall in the eight “Harry Potter” films and the acerbic Dowager Countess of Grantham on “Downton Abbey.”

After that acclaimed TV costume drama ended its run in 2015 after five seasons, Smith said in an interview with Graham Norton that she heaved a sigh of relief.