LONDON — Maggie Smith, who won an Oscar for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and won new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey,” has died ...

Smith is celebrated as one of the preeminent actresses of her era alongside luminaries like Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. FILE - British actress Dame Maggie Smith poses in London on Dec. 16, 2015.

Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British woman actor of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. ... British actress Dame Maggie Smith poses in London on Dec. 16, 2015.

Maggie Smith, who won an Oscar for ... She was 89. She was frequently rated the preeminent British actress of a generation which included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench.

Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British woman actor of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. "Jean Brodie" brought her the Academy Award for best actress and the ...