Career Timeline of Maggie Smith: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Maggie Smith, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, a British actress, is celebrated for her sharp wit and versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles throughout her impressive seven-decade career in theatre and film. One of Britain's most recognizable and prolific actresses, she has earned numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. Smith is also one of the few performers to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting.
1952: Stage Career at Oxford Playhouse Begins
In 1952, Maggie Smith began her stage career as a student, performing at the Oxford Playhouse.
1952: Debut as Viola in Twelfth Night
In 1952, at the age of 17, Maggie Smith began her career as Viola in "Twelfth Night" at the Oxford Playhouse.
1953: Acted in Rookery Nook and Cakes and Ale
In 1953, Maggie Smith continued to act in productions at the Oxford Playhouse, including "Rookery Nook" and "Cakes and Ale".
1954: Acted in The Government Inspector and Oxford Accents
In 1954, Maggie Smith appeared in "The Government Inspector" at the Oxford Playhouse and in the television programme "Oxford Accents".
December 1956: Broadway Debut in New Faces of '56
From June to December 1956, Maggie Smith made her Broadway debut playing several roles in the review "New Faces of '56" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
1956: First Film Appearance in Child in the House
In 1956, Maggie Smith appeared in her first film, an uncredited role as a party guest in the British drama "Child in the House".
1957: Starred in Share My Lettuce
In 1957, Maggie Smith starred opposite Kenneth Williams in the musical comedy "Share My Lettuce".
1959: BAFTA Nomination for Nowhere to Go
In 1959, Maggie Smith received the first of her 18 British Academy Film Award nominations for her role in "Nowhere to Go".
1962: Appeared in Go to Blazes
In 1962, Maggie Smith appeared in the British comedy "Go to Blazes".
1962: Won Evening Standard Award and Joined National Theatre
In 1962, Maggie Smith won her first Evening Standard Award for her roles in "The Private Ear" and "The Public Eye" and was invited by Laurence Olivier to join his new National Theatre Company.
1963: Appeared in The V.I.P.s
In 1963, Maggie Smith appeared in a supporting role in the British drama film "The V.I.P.s".
1963: Appeared in The Recruiting Officer
In 1963-1964, Maggie Smith appeared opposite Laurence Olivier as Sylvia in "The Recruiting Officer".
1964: Appeared in The Pumpkin Eater
In 1964, Maggie Smith appeared in "The Pumpkin Eater".
1964: Hay Fever
In 1964, Maggie Smith starred in the production of Hay Fever by Noël Coward.
1964: Acted in The Master Builder and Incident during Othello production
In 1964-1965, Maggie Smith appeared as Hilde in Ibsen's "The Master Builder". During a 1964 production of Othello, Olivier struck Smith across the face, knocking her out.
1965: Oscar Nomination for Othello and Appearance in Young Cassidy
In 1965, Maggie Smith earned her first Oscar nomination for her performance in the film adaptation of "Othello" and also appeared in "Young Cassidy".
1965: Oscar Nomination for Othello
In 1965, Maggie Smith received an Oscar nomination for her role in "Othello".
1967: Appeared in The Honey Pot
In 1967, Maggie Smith appeared in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's crime comedy "The Honey Pot".
1967: Portrayal of Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing
In 1967, Maggie Smith's portrayal of Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing", directed by Franco Zeffirelli, was broadcast on British television.
1968: Appeared in Hot Millions
In 1968, Maggie Smith appeared in "Hot Millions".
1969: Won Academy Award for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
In 1969, Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", also winning her first BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress.
1970: Starred in Hedda Gabler
In 1970, Maggie Smith played the title role in Ingmar Bergman's London production of Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler", winning her second Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress.
1972: Oscar Nomination for Travels with My Aunt
In 1972, Maggie Smith received an Oscar nomination for her performance in "Travels with My Aunt".
1972: Starred in Travels with My Aunt
In 1972, Maggie Smith starred as Augusta Bertram in "Travels with My Aunt", receiving her third Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
1973: Starred in Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing
In 1973, Maggie Smith starred in the film "Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing".
1975: Starred in Private Lives on Broadway
In 1975, Maggie Smith starred as Amanda Prynne in Noël Coward's comedy "Private Lives" at the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway, receiving positive reviews and her first Tony Award nomination.
1976: Stratford Shakespeare Festival: Anthony and Cleopatra
From 1976 to 1980, Maggie Smith appeared in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario; her roles included Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra in 1976.
1976: Appeared in Murder by Death
In 1976, Maggie Smith appeared in "Murder by Death".
1977: Stratford Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Richard III
From 1976 to 1980, Maggie Smith appeared in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario; her roles included Titania and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Queen Elizabeth in Richard III in 1977.
1978: Stratford Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It and Macbeth
From 1976 to 1980, Maggie Smith appeared in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario; her roles included Rosalind in As You Like It and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth in 1978.
1978: Starred in Death on the Nile and California Suite
In 1978, Maggie Smith starred in "Death on the Nile" and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "California Suite", also winning her first Golden Globe Award.
1978: Academy Award for California Suite
In 1978, Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "California Suite".
1979: Tony Nomination for Night and Day
In 1979, Maggie Smith received a Tony nomination for her performance in Tom Stoppard's "Night and Day" on Broadway.
1979: Return to Broadway in Night and Day
In 1979, Maggie Smith returned to Broadway in Tom Stoppard's "Night and Day" as Ruth Carson, receiving her second Tony Award nomination.
1980: End of Stratford Shakespeare Festival Productions
From 1976 to 1980, Maggie Smith appeared in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario.
1981: Starred in Quartet and Clash of the Titans
In 1981, Maggie Smith starred in the Merchant Ivory film "Quartet" and played the goddess Thetis in "Clash of the Titans".
1981: Evening Standard Theatre Award for Virginia
In 1981, Maggie Smith won her third Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for her role as Virginia Woolf in Edna O'Brien's play, Virginia.
1982: Starred in Evil Under the Sun
In 1982, Maggie Smith starred as Daphne Castle in "Evil Under the Sun".
1983: Starred in All for Love and Better Late Than Never
In 1983, Maggie Smith starred as Mrs. Silly in All for Love, receiving her first Best Actress BAFTA TV Award nomination and appeared in the film Better Late Than Never.
1984: Evening Standard Theatre Award for The Way of the World
In 1984, Maggie Smith won her fourth Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress, for her role as Millament in The Way of the World.
1984: Won BAFTA Film Award for A Private Function
In 1984, Maggie Smith won her second Best Actress BAFTA Film Award for her role in "A Private Function" and also starred in "Lily in Love".
1985: A Room with a View
In 1985, Maggie Smith portrayed Charlotte Bartlett in the film A Room with a View, which received universal acclaim and earned eight Academy Award nominations. Smith also earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and won her second Golden Globe Award and her third British Academy Film Award for Best Actress.
1985: Oscar Nomination for A Room with a View
In 1985, Maggie Smith received an Oscar nomination for her performance in "A Room with a View".
1987: Starred in A Bed Among the Lentils
In 1987, Maggie Smith starred as Susan in "A Bed Among the Lentils", receiving a second BAFTA TV nomination.
1987: London Production of Lettice and Lovage
In 1987, Maggie Smith starred in the London production of Lettice and Lovage alongside Margaret Tyzack, receiving an Olivier Award nomination.
1987: The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne
In 1987, Maggie Smith won her fourth BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress for the title role in the film The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, directed by Jack Clayton.
1990: Broadway Transfer of Lettice and Lovage
In 1990, Maggie Smith reprised her role in Lettice and Lovage when it transferred to Broadway, and she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.
1990: Tony Award for Lettice and Lovage
In 1990, Maggie Smith won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in "Lettice and Lovage" on Broadway.
1992: Sister Act and Memento Mori
In 1992, Maggie Smith appeared as Mother Superior in the film Sister Act and received a British Academy Television Award nomination for her role in the TV film Memento Mori.
1993: Acted in The Secret Garden
In 1993, Maggie Smith acted in "The Secret Garden".
1993: Sister Act 2, Suddenly Last Summer, and The Importance of Being Earnest
In 1993, Maggie Smith appeared in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in the PBS television film Suddenly, Last Summer, and portrayed Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Aldwych Theatre, receiving her fourth Olivier Award nomination.
1995: Richard III
In 1995, Maggie Smith portrayed the Duchess of York in the film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Richard III.
1996: The First Wives Club
In 1996, Maggie Smith appeared in the comedy film The First Wives Club.
1997: Washington Square
In 1997, Maggie Smith starred in the film Washington Square, playing Aunt Lavinia Penniman.
1997: A Delicate Balance
In 1997, Maggie Smith starred in the play A Delicate Balance, receiving her fifth Olivier Award nomination for her performance.
1999: The Lady in the Van and David Copperfield
In 1999, Maggie Smith gained critical acclaim for her performance in The Lady in the Van, receiving her sixth Laurence Olivier Award nomination. She also starred in the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield, receiving a British Academy Television Award and her second Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
1999: Tea with Mussolini and Other Films
In 1999, Maggie Smith won her fifth BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film Tea with Mussolini. She also starred in The Last September and Curtain Call in the same year.
2001: Gosford Park
In 2001, Maggie Smith appeared in Gosford Park. Her portrayal as Constance, Countess of Trentham earned her a sixth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film premiered at the 2001 London Film Festival.
2001: Harry Potter film series
In 2001, Maggie Smith began playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, a role requested by author J. K. Rowling.
2001: Oscar Nomination for Gosford Park
In 2001, Maggie Smith received an Oscar nomination for her performance in "Gosford Park".
2002: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and The Breath of Life
In 2002, Maggie Smith starred in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and reunited with Judi Dench for the stage play The Breath of Life.
2003: My House in Umbria
In 2003, Maggie Smith received her first Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the HBO television film My House in Umbria. She also received her 8th Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2003: Won Emmy for My House in Umbria
In 2003, Maggie Smith won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the HBO film "My House in Umbria".
2004: Ladies in Lavender and Talking Heads
In 2004, Maggie Smith acted with Judi Dench in the film Ladies in Lavender and toured Australia in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.
2005: Keeping Mum
In 2005, Maggie Smith starred in the black comedy Keeping Mum.
2007: Becoming Jane
In 2007, Maggie Smith appeared in the British costume drama Becoming Jane, a film that depicts the early life of Jane Austen.
2007: The Lady from Dubuque and Capturing Mary
In 2007, Maggie Smith starred in a revival of Edward Albee's stage play The Lady from Dubuque and in the HBO television film Capturing Mary, for which she was nominated for her fourth Primetime Emmy Award.
2009: From Time to Time
In 2009, Maggie Smith appeared in Julian Fellowes's fantasy drama film From Time to Time.
2010: Downton Abbey
In 2010, Maggie Smith began appearing as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey. The show became a cultural phenomenon, and Smith's performance won her three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.
2010: Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang
In 2010, Maggie Smith played Mrs. Docherty in the film Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.
September 2011: Offered support for rebuilding the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand
In September 2011, Maggie Smith offered her support for raising the NZ$4.6 million needed to help rebuild the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the earthquake in 2011 that caused severe damage to the area.
2011: Concluded Harry Potter film series
In 2001-2011, Maggie Smith portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series.
July 2012: Became a patron of the International Glaucoma Association
In July 2012, Maggie Smith became a patron of the International Glaucoma Association (now known as Glaucoma UK), hoping to support the organisation and raise the profile of glaucoma.
November 2012: Contributed a drawing to the Celebrity Paw Auction
On 27 November 2012, Maggie Smith contributed a drawing of her own hand to the 2012 Celebrity Paw Auction, to raise funds for Cats Protection.
2012: Acted in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet
In 2012, Maggie Smith acted in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and "Quartet".
May 2013: Contributed a gnome for an auction to raise money for the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening
In May 2013, Maggie Smith contributed a gnome which she had decorated, for an auction to raise money for the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening.
2013: National Theatre Live: 50 Years On Stage
In 2013, Maggie Smith participated in the filmed event National Theatre Live: 50 Years On Stage, featuring a clip from the 1964 production of Hay Fever and a live monologue from The Beaux' Stratagem.
2014: My Old Lady
In 2014, Maggie Smith starred in the romantic comedy My Old Lady.
March 2015: Announcement of Downton Abbey Departure
In March 2015, Maggie Smith announced that the sixth season of Downton Abbey would be her last.
October 2015: The Lady in the Van and The Graham Norton Show
In October 2015, Maggie Smith received positive reviews for her performance in The Lady in the Van. On October 30, 2015, she appeared on The Graham Norton Show, her first appearance on a chat show in 42 years, discussing her appearance in the film.
2015: Downton Abbey Ended
From 2010 to 2015, Maggie Smith gained international fame for her role as Violet Crawley in the British period drama "Downton Abbey".
2015: Acted in The Lady in the Van
In 2015, Maggie Smith acted in "The Lady in the Van".
2015: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
In 2015, Maggie Smith appeared in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a sequel to the 2012 film.
2016: Smith discusses aging into character roles
In 2016, Maggie Smith told NPR that as a character actor, she was able to age into roles as mothers and grandmothers while still developing her talents.
2016: Experiences working with Alan Rickman
In 2016, while promoting The Lady in the Van, Maggie Smith shared her positive experiences working on the Harry Potter films and with Alan Rickman, noting his terrific acting and their shared laughter on set.
2018: Starred in British documentary Nothing Like a Dame and reprised her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
In 2018, Maggie Smith starred in the British documentary "Nothing Like a Dame", which featured conversations between her and fellow actresses Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, and Joan Plowright. That same year, she also reprised her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall by voicing the character in the role-playing video game "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery".
April 2019: Returned to theatre in A German Life as Brunhilde Pomsel
In April 2019, Maggie Smith returned to the stage after an eleven-year absence, starring as Brunhilde Pomsel in "A German Life" at the Bridge Theatre in London. The play is a one-woman solo performance, written by Christopher Hampton, where Smith portrayed an elderly German woman who worked as a secretary for Joseph Goebbels.
September 2019: Continuation of Downton Abbey series released as a feature-length film
In September 2019, Maggie Smith reprised her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the feature-length film continuation of the Downton Abbey series. The film was a financial success, earning $194.3 million at the box office.
2019: Announced as starring in the film version of A German Life
In 2019, it was announced that Maggie Smith would be starring in the film version of Christopher Hampton's "A German Life", reprising the role she originated onstage in London.
November 2020: Joined a conversation on Zoom entitled For One Knight Only for charity
In November 2020, Maggie Smith joined Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, and Ian McKellen for a conversation on Zoom entitled "For One Knight Only", for the charity Acting for Others.
April 2021: Appeared in a streaming event alongside Kathleen Turner
In April 2021, Maggie Smith appeared in a streaming event alongside Kathleen Turner in support of The Royal Theatrical Fund.
2021: Starred in the Netflix adaptation of A Boy Called Christmas
In 2021, Maggie Smith starred in the Netflix adaptation of Matt Haig's children's book, "A Boy Called Christmas". The film was directed by Gil Kenan and featured Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Jim Broadbent, and Toby Jones.
2022: Reprised her role in Downton Abbey: A New Era
In 2022, Maggie Smith reprised her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in Simon Curtis's historical-drama Downton Abbey: A New Era alongside Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery.
October 2023: Revealed as one of the faces for Loewe's SS24 pre-collection
In October 2023, Maggie Smith was revealed as one of the faces for Loewe's SS24 pre-collection.
2023: Starred as Lily Fox in The Miracle Club
In 2023, Maggie Smith starred as Lily Fox in the Irish drama film "The Miracle Club", alongside Kathy Bates and Laura Linney. The film follows a group of working-class women from Dublin on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
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