Dame Maggie Smith, a name synonymous with elegance, talent, and versatility, has graced both stage and screen for over six decades. From her unforgettable roles in classics like “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “Downton Abbey” to her enchanting portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series, Maggie Smith’s career is a testament to her extraordinary range and dedication.
In this photo journey, we celebrate the life and legacy of this legendary actress, capturing her most iconic moments and the stories behind them. Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Maggie Smith, a true icon of the performing arts.
#1 Maggie Smith’s Star on the Rise
Dame Maggie Smith, born on December 28, 1934, has enjoyed an impressive and expansive career, including more than 60 film roles that have earned her numerous Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes.
She made her professional stage debut on Broadway in 1956 in New Faces of ’56.
#2 Maggie Smith On the Stage
In 1964, Maggie Smith starred as Desdemona in Shakespeare‘s Othello opposite Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre.
She reprised the role in the 1965 film adaptation, earning her first Oscar nomination.
#3 Maggie Smith Meets The Queen
In 1966, after a performance of Othello, Maggie Smith had the honor of meeting Queen Elizabeth II.
#4 Maggie Smith and Husband Robert Stephens
In 1967, Maggie Smith married her first husband, Robert Stephens; they divorced several years later.
#5 Maggie Smith’s Children
Smith shares two children with Stephens — she welcomed her son Chris Larkin in 1967 and Toby Stephens in 1969.
#6 Maggie Smith in Oh! What a Lovely War
In 1968, she exuded pure royalty while starring in Oh! What a Lovely War.
#7 Maggie Smith’s First Oscar
In 1969, Maggie Smith starred in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie alongside Robert Stephens.
Her exceptional performance in the film would earn her the first Academy Award for Best Actress of her career.
#8 Maggie Smith and Lauren Bacall
In 1970, Maggie Smith shared a giggly moment at the Tony Awards with fellow legendary actress Lauren Bacall.
#9 Maggie Smith in Travels with My Aunt
In 1972, Maggie Smith starred in Travels with My Aunt, earning herself another Oscar nomination.
#10 Maggie Smith Wins Oscar, Again
In 1978, she starred in California Suite, a performance that earned her another Academy Award — this time for Best Supporting Actress. She has been nominated six times.
#11 Maggie Smith and Brooke Shields
Here, Maggie Smith poses with Brooke Shields as she shows off her award for Best Supporting Actress.
#12 Maggie Smith Wins a Tony
In 1990, Maggie Smith won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her outstanding performance in Lettice and Lovage.
Throughout her career, she has been nominated for three Tony Awards in total.
#13 Maggie Smith Wins a BAFTA
Smith has won five BAFTA Awards in her career, four of which were for Best Actress.
In 1993, she was honored with the BAFTA Special Award, where she humorously remarked, “If it’s possible to be in films without taking your clothes off or, indeed, killing people with machine guns, I seem to have managed to do that!”
#14 Maggie Smith and Beverley Cross
Smith remarried to playwright Beverley Cross in 1975, and they remained together until his passing in 1998.
In a 2013 interview with 60 Minutes, when asked about life without Cross, Smith responded thoughtfully, “I don’t know. It seems a bit pointless … Going on one’s own and not having someone to share it with.”
#15 Maggie Smith in Sister Act
It’s not all drama for Smith, who has starred in plenty of comedies throughout her career, including Sister Act (1992) and its sequel Sister Act II: Back in the Habit (1993), First Wives Club (1996), and more.
#16 Maggie Smith in Gosford Park
In 2001, Maggie Smith was nominated for Academy and Golden Globe Awards for her performance in Gosford Park.
#17 Maggie Smith in The Breath of Life
In 2002, Maggie Smith returned to the stage with her friend (and fellow Dame) Judi Dench for The Breath of Life.
#18 Maggie Smith in Ladies in Lavender
In 2004, Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith met with Queen Elizabeth once again, this time at a screening of their latest collaboration, Ladies in Lavender.
#19 Maggie Smith Is Made a Dame
In 1990, Maggie Smith was honored with the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. In 2014, she received another prestigious medal from the Queen, the Order of the Companions of Honor (pictured).
This award is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine, or government over a prolonged period of time.
#20 Maggie Smith in Harry Potter
In 2001, Maggie Smith began her iconic portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, a role she continued to embody throughout the franchise’s eight installments.
#21 Maggie Smith’s Health Scare
In 2007, Maggie Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer but continued to act through treatment while filming Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince.
By 2009, after two years of treatment, the actress recovered. Reflecting on her experience, she told The Times that she was “fearful of the amount of energy one needs to be in a film or play,” yet she persevered in her acting career.
She starred in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in 2011, The Lady in the Van in 2015, and lent her voice to characters in Gnomeo & Juliet and Sherlock Gnomes.
#22 Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey
In fact, she went on to portray the role of The Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, in Downton Abbey, and continued in the role until 2015.
Her performance earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and two more for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series.
She reprised her role in the 2022 Downton Abbey film, A New Era.
#23 Maggie Smith stars in new Loewe campaign
Legendary actress Maggie Smith is now gracing a new fashion campaign. The Oscar-winning actress, at 88 years old, is featured in the Spring/Summer 2024 pre-collection campaign for the luxury fashion house Loewe.
