Maggie Smith, the beloved Hollywood actress known for her iconic roles in the Harry Potter series and Downton Abbey, has sadly passed away at the age of 89.
According to reports from Sky News, she died in a hospital, surrounded by her family. The news was shared by her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, who described her as an intensely private person.
In a statement, they said: “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.”
In their statement, they expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother, leaving behind two sons and five grandchildren. They extended their gratitude to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their compassionate care during her final days and requested privacy during this difficult time.
“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,” they added.
Smith is perhaps best remembered for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall across the Harry Potter films. Her remarkable talent earned her numerous accolades, including an Oscar for Best Actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for California Suite in 1978.
Following Roma’s elimination from the Coppa Italia quarterfinals with a 1-0 loss to Lazio on Wednesday, manager Jose Mourinho has playfully dubbed himself “Jose ‘Harry Potter’ Mourinho” and implied that his illustrious career has heightened fans’ expectations for the club. Mourinho expressed his belief that supporters anticipate greater achievements from him due to his successful managerial history.
“The Roma fans are the most incredible I have seen. Their coach is Jose ‘Harry Potter’ Mourinho and he raises expectations,” he said. “I don’t know how many derbies I’ve played—200, 150—they are always special matches. I’ve won, I’ve drawn, and I’ve lost, always with a different experience.
“I have always understood that for a Chelsea fan, a game against Manchester City is not the same as a game against Arsenal. For Inter, a game against Roma is not the same as a game against Juventus.
“I understand what a derby means. The derby we played was an important derby.” Mourinho has referenced Potter before, as he claimed he “is not Harry Potter” while manager of Real Madrid in a bid to temper expectations.
Roma is currently trailing by four points behind Fiorentina, who holds the fourth spot in the race for a spot in the Champions League next season.
Additionally, Roma has secured a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League. Although Jose Mourinho’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, he has affirmed his commitment to the club.
“I’ve been here for two years and five months and I’m the only person here who hasn’t missed a single training session in that time,” Mourinho said. “For me, there are no illnesses or bad moods. For two and a half years, I haven’t done anything wrong, not even a couple of weeks ago when everyone was sick.
“I do not accept in any way that my professionalism and dignity, my heart for this job, can be questioned. If there is a perfect example of professionalism, it is me. I have never missed one match in over 20 years of my career.”
Renowned actor Sir Michael Gambon has passed away at the age of 82, according to his family.
Sir Michael was most famous for his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore in six out of the eight Harry Potter films.
He had a prolific career spanning six decades, during which he excelled in television, film, theater, and radio, earning four Bafta awards. His wife, Lady Gambon, and son, Fergus, shared that their “beloved husband and father” passed away peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by his family, after battling pneumonia.
Sir Michael’s family relocated to London when he was a child, but he marked his inaugural stage performance in Ireland in 1962, starring in a production of Othello in Dublin.
His career soared when he became one of the founding members of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre acting ensemble in London, ultimately securing three Olivier awards for his outstanding performances in National Theatre productions.
He was notably recognized for his role as French detective Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret and gained acclaim for portraying Philip Marlow in Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective on the BBC.
Sir Michael assumed the iconic role of Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the immensely popular Harry Potter film series, taking over the character following the passing of Richard Harris in 2003.
His extensive filmography includes appearances in the big-screen adaptation of Dad’s Army, Gosford Park, and The King’s Speech, where he portrayed King George V, the father of King George VI who struggled with a stutter.
RIP Michael Gambon
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” – Albus Dumbledore pic.twitter.com/xl8ircdql6
He received Emmy nominations for his role as Mr. Woodhouse in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma in 2010 and for his portrayal of President Lyndon B Johnson in Path to War in 2002. Additionally, he received a Tony nomination in 1997 for his performance in David Hare’s play Skylight.
Sir Michael Gambon was knighted in 1998 in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry. Despite his Irish heritage, he had become a British citizen during his childhood.
Revered as “The Great Gambon” within acting circles, his final stage appearance occurred in 2012 in a London production of Samuel Beckett’s play All That Fall.
Veteran British actor Leslie Phillips, known for his roles in several Carry On films and the Harry Potter series, has died aged 98.
The star died “peacefully in his sleep” on Monday, his agent Jonathan Lloyd confirmed.
Phillips made his first film appearances as a boy in the 1930s and went on to have an illustrious career on stage and screen, particularly in the Carry On films – which included Carry On Teacher, Carry On Columbus, Carry On Constable and Carry On Nurse.
He became well known for his suggestive catchphrases such as “Ding Dong!”, “Well, hello”, and “I Say!”.
Image:Leslie Phillips with Joan Sims in Carry on Teacher. Pic: Studiocanal/Shutterstock
During a long and varied career in entertainment that spanned several decades, the actor worked with a huge range of stars, from Steven Spielberg and Laurence Olivier to Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie.
Although he was known for his plummy accent and exaggerated portrayals of the English upper-class, Phillips was born in Tottenham and grew up speaking estuary English – taking elocution lessons and losing his accent later in life as it was seen as an impediment in the acting industry at the time.
He released his autobiography, Hello, in 2005, detailing how he discovered acting after growing up “in a poverty-stricken childhood in north London” and the death of his father when he was just 10 years old.
Phillips appeared in TV series such as Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, Monarch Of The Glen and Holby City, films including Empire Of The Sun, Scandal, and Out Of Africa, and plays including Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.
In 2007, the actor starred in Hanif Kureshi’s film Venus alongside Peter O’Toole, a performance for which he was nominated for a BAFTA for best supporting actor.
And in recent years, his voice had become instantly recognisable to younger generations as that of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films.
He was made an OBE in the 1998 Birthday Honours and was promoted to CBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.
Born Leslie Samuel Phillips on 20 April 1924, the actor learned his craft at the respected Italia Conti Stage School before serving as a lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry between 1942 and 1945, when he was invalided out.
Afterwards, he was soon back in the limelight and the Carry On Films came in the 1950s and 60s – cementing his reputation for playing smooth and roguish but incompetent members of high society.
Image:Leslie Phillips was nominated for a BAFTA for his performance in Venus, starring alongside Peter O’Toole. Pic: Miramax Films
Image:With Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider. Pic: Paramount
Films such as Brothers In Law, The Smallest Show On Earth and The Man Who Liked Funerals followed and he also became well known for his appearances in the Doctor series, as well as comedies in which he was paired with Scottish comedian and impressionist Stanley Baxter – including Very Important Person, Crooks Anonymous, The Fast Lady and Father Came Too.
Like most of his contemporaries, he pursued a stint in Hollywood, but said he preferred Britain.
“I could have stayed,” he said once, “but I am a Londoner through and through. I want to go everywhere, but I will always want to live in London. So I came back.”
Stars pay tribute
Following the news of his death, stars who worked with him and met him were among those paying tribute.
Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar shared a clip of Phillips appearing on his show The Kumars At No 42. In the footage, Phillips recalled how he once found himself stuck on the London Underground surrounded by members of the public demanding he do his catchphrases.
“A truly warm, funny and gentle man #RIPLesliePhillips,” Bhaskar wrote.
Coronation Street actor Tony Maudsley said working with Phillips “was a joy”.
The wonderful Leslie Phillips CBE has left us. Aged 98. A true gentleman, fantastic actor and the nicest man I’ve ever met. His stories were the best.. RIP Leslie Phillips pic.twitter.com/2uS0OAyZmh
Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died at the age of 72.
In addition to the ITV detective drama Cracker, he appeared in the James Bond flicks Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.
His agent, Belinda Wright, confirmed the actor’s death in a hospital near Falkirk, Scotland, in a statement.
She described Coltrane as a “unique talent”, adding his role as Hagrid “brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world”.
“For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent and brilliantly witty, and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.
“He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice, and their mother Rhona Gemmell.They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.
“Please respect Robbie’s family’s privacy at this distressing time.”
IMAGE SOURCE, WARNER BROS Image caption, Robbie Coltrane was well known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter films
Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe paid tribute to Coltrane in a statement, saying: “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on that set.
“I’ve especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid’s hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”
Fellow Harry Potter star Emma Watson said: “Robbie if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory.”
She paid tribute to Coltrane on Instagram saying there was “no better Hagrid” and he “made it a joy to be Hermione”.
“I’ll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs.”
Writing on Twitter, Harry Potter author JK Rowling described Coltrane as an “incredible talent” and “a complete one-off”.
I’ll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z
Fellow Alfesco actor Hugh Laurie, who also starred alongside Coltrane in Blackadder, recalled their time spent sharing car rides between Manchester and London. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or learned so much in my life”, he tweeted.
And Blackadder star Tony Robinson described Coltrane as “such a sweet man… so talented as a comic and as a straight actor”. Posting on Twitter about his favourite episode from the period sitcom, he said: “It was all down to you mate.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Coltrane’s death as “very sad news”.
“He had such range and depth as an actor, from brilliant comedy to hard-edged drama. I think my favourite of all his roles was Fitz in Cracker,” she said. “Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend – you will be hugely missed. RIP.”
The official James Bond Twitter account called him an “exceptional actor whose talent knew no bounds”.
Broadcaster Richard Coles added: “Very sorry to hear Robbie Coltrane has died. We shared a dressing room once and he had the biggest pants I have ever seen, which he wore with tremendous flair. We were friends from then on.”
The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950.
Coltrane was the son of teacher and pianist Jean Ross and GP Ian Baxter McMillan and was educated at the independent school Glenalmond College in Perth and Kinross.
The actor’s career began in 1979 in the TV series Play for Today, but he came to prominence in A Kick Up the Eighties, a BBC TV comedy series which also starred Tracey Ullman, Miriam Margolyes, and Rik Mayall.
He also appeared in the 1983 ITV comedy Alfresco, with Fry, Emma Thompson, Siobhan Redmond, and Hugh Laurie.
By 1987 he had a leading role in Tutti Frutti, about Scottish rock and roll band The Majestics, which also starred Emma Thompson and Richard Wilson. The year before he was in the British crime film Mona Lisa, starring Bob Hoskins.
Coltrane gained further fame starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker from 1993 to 1995 and in a special return episode in 2006.
The role secured him the Bafta award for best actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.
Arguably his best-known role came in the Harry Potter film series as he starred in all eight movies as Rubeus Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
In 2016, he starred in the Bafta-winning Channel 4 drama National Treasure, with Dame Julie Walters, about a comic and TV hostaccused of sexual abuse of women.
Late last year he appeared in the Harry Potter reunion TV special, which reunited the cast, although JK Rowling was absent and featured only in archive video clips.
Coltrane appeared alongside Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, along with Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, and Ralph Fiennes.
Robbie Coltrane, the actor who brought to life the lovable gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter film franchise, died on Friday, according to his agent, Scott Henderson. He was 72.
The Scottish-born actor’s other credits included the British series “Cracker” and James Bond films “GoldenEye” and “The World Is Not Enough.”
No details on the cause of death were immediately provided.
Before Coltrane shot to international fame playing the bearded Hagrid, he was honed his comedic skills on the theatre stage.
In the ’80s, he appeared in a short-lived sketch series called “Alfresco” alongside powerhouses Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.
On Friday, Fry honored his former co-star in a statement posted to Twitter.
“I first met Robbie Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago. I was awe/terror/love struck all at the same time. Such depth, power & talent: funny enough to cause helpless hiccups & honking as we made our first TV show, ‘Alfresco,’” he wrote. “Farewell, old fellow.
Coltrane reunited with Thompson on the six-part drama series “Tutti Frutti,” for which he earned his first best actor British Academy Television Award nomination.
His first win would be for the television series “Cracker” in the ’90s. That series, a crime drama, ran for three seasons from 1993-95, with two subsequent specials.
The role of Hagrid, a half-giant, half-human character, was a natural one for Coltrane. He knew and loved the books because he read them to his children, he recalled in one interview.
“If you’re an actor, you have to do the voices. The children expect it. No monotones allowed,” he joked.
But it was his performance, which brought heart and humanity to the role — a literal gentle half-giant — that stuck with audiences.
Appearing in the HBO Max special “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” Coltrane recalled his time on the films and Hagrid’s impact.
“Everybody in the world would like a really big, huge, strong, good man on their side, simple as that. That’s the attraction of Superman and these things,” he said. “Hagrid was always obviously the good guy, wasn’t he?”
Coltrane is survived by his children, Spencer and Alice; their mother, Rhona Gemmell and his sister Annie Rae, according to a statement from his UK agent, Belinda Wright.
