Maggie Smith: Biography, Movies, Awards

Celebrated British actress Dame Maggie Smith passes away at 89. Explore her remarkable life, iconic roles, and numerous awards, including two Oscars, five BAFTAs, and three Emmys.

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, a celebrated British actress, passed away on 27 September 2024, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, at the age of 89. Renowned for her sharp wit and comedic talent, Smith had an illustrious career spanning over seven decades on both stage and screen. She was one of the most recognizable and versatile actresses in British history. She received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. Smith was also one of the few actors to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, a testament to her remarkable contributions to the arts.

Maggie Smith Biography

Born on 28 December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, Dame Margaret Natalie “Maggie” Smith began her acting journey as a student, performing at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952. She made her professional debut on Broadway in New Faces of ’56 and quickly established herself as one of Britain’s most esteemed theatre performers, working alongside Judi Dench at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Smith’s Broadway accolades include Tony Award nominations for Private Lives (1975) and Night and Day (1979), and she won the Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in Lettice and Lovage (1990).

Film Success and Accolades:

Maggie Smith enjoyed great success on the silver screen, winning two Academy Awards—Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978). She received further Oscar nominations for roles in Othello (1965), Travels with My Aunt (1972), A Room with a View (1985), and Gosford Park (2001). Widely known for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011), Smith also appeared in Death on the Nile (1978), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), and The Lady in the Van (2015).

Television Fame:

Smith gained international fame for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, in the critically acclaimed British series Downton Abbey (2010–2015), earning three Primetime Emmy Awards. Earlier, she won an Emmy for her performance in the HBO film My House in Umbria (2003).

Health and Personal Struggles:

In 1988, Smith was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, for which she underwent radiotherapy and optical surgery. In 2007, it was revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but by 2009 she had made a full recovery.

Charity and Advocacy:

Maggie Smith was deeply involved in charitable activities throughout her life. In 2011, she supported fundraising efforts to help rebuild the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the earthquake. In 2012, she became a patron of Glaucoma UK to raise awareness about the condition. Smith also supported the Royal Theatrical Fund and other arts-related causes, including participating in a celebrity auction and a 2020 charity conversation with Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen.

Later Years and Legacy:

Throughout her career, Smith received numerous honorary awards, including the British Film Institute Fellowship in 1993, the BAFTA Fellowship in 1996, and the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 2010. She was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990, cementing her status as one of the most iconic figures in British entertainment history.

Maggie Smith Awards and Achievements:

Maggie Smith received numerous prestigious honours throughout her life for her contributions to the performing arts. In the 1970 New Year Honours, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and in 1990, she was elevated to Dame Commander (DBE) for her outstanding service to the arts. In 2014, Smith was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for her achievements in drama, becoming only the third actress to receive this honour, following in the footsteps of Dame Sybil Thorndike (1970) and Judi Dench (2005). Here is a list of her award, honours and achievements: