Actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died aged 89, her family said.

A legend of the British stage and screen, she won two Oscars throughout her career – for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979.

She had four further nominations and won eight Bafta awards.

A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.”

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning on Friday September 27th. She was a very private person and ended up hanging out with friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.” .

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and tireless kindness during her final days.”

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy during this time.”

Dame Maggie's career began in theater, but she received her first Bafta nomination for the 1958 melodrama Nowhere to Go.

In 1963 she was offered the role of Desdemona by Laurence Olivier to star opposite his Othello at the National Theater and two years later it was made into a film with the original cast, with Smith being nominated for an Oscar.