Maggie Smith’s half-century career is celebrated by her peers.

The iconic actress, best known for her roles in the “Harry Potter” films and the “Downton Abbey” franchise, died on September 27. She was 89.

“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” Smith’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said in a statement shared with IndieWire. “She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday 27 September. She was an intensely private person and was with friends and family at the end. She is survived by two sons and five loving grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of their special mother and grandmother.”

The statement continued: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and continued 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.”

Smith won two Academy Awards, her first for Best Actress in 1969’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” and her second for Best Supporting Actress in 1978’s “California Suite.” She went on to win four Emmys, starting in 2003 for the HBO film ‘My House in Umbria’. Smith’s role in the TV series “Downton Abbey” earned her two more; she also reprized her character Violet for the feature film versions.

Smith’s career also includes five BAFTAS and a Tony Award. The British stage and film actress was also appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1990.

Smith previously told the Evening Standard that she wanted to return to theater later in her career.

“I wanted so badly to get back on stage, because theater is actually my favorite medium, and I think I felt like I hadn’t finished it all yet,” she said in 2019. “But nothing happened. .”

“Downton Abbey” creator and writer Julian Fellowes told Variety that Smith “was a truly wonderful actress and we were more than happy to be part of the final act in her amazing career.”

“She was a joy to write for, subtle, layered, intelligent, funny and heartbreaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career,” said Fellowes. “I will never forget her.”

Smith’s “Downton Abbey” co-star Hugh Bonneville told The Hollywood Reporter that “anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent,” adding, “She was a true legend of her generation. and will happily live on in so many wonderful screen performances. My condolences to her boys and the rest of the family.”

Michelle Dockery said: ‘There was no one like Maggie. I feel extremely lucky to have known such an outsider. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with her family.”

Rob Lowe, who worked with Smith on the 1993 film ‘Suddenly, Last Summer’, wrote: ‘Saddened to hear of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny and good company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another again. God speed, Mrs. Smith!

Producer Gareth Neame said in a press statement: “Maggie Smith was one of the greatest actors of our time and a much-loved member of the ‘Downton’ family. Playing Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Maggie created one of the best performances we’ve seen in six seasons of the television series and two films spanning twelve years. The entire cast and crew of ‘Downton Abbey’ felt it was a huge honor to work with her. She was an actress of such stature whose incredible talent could encompass both high comedy and outright tragedy. Off-screen, she was particularly close to the cast who played the other members of her family and was very generous and full of encouragement to the younger actors. It is personally poignant that my late grandfather directed one of her finest performances in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” for which she won her first Academy Award. Jean Brodie and Violet Grantham are just two creations in an extraordinary career that has spanned decades and thrilled audiences around the world. There is only one Maggie Smith and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Smith’s ‘Sister Act’ co-star Whoopi Goldberg wrote: ‘Maggie Smith was an amazing woman and a brilliant actress. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with this one-of-a-kind. My sincere condolences go out to the family…RIP.”

Below are more tributes to Smith.