"Dame Margaret Natalie Smith was a highly celebrated British actress renowned for her comedic timing and impressive career spanning seven decades. Her work on both stage and screen made her one of Britain's most recognizable actresses, earning her numerous awards including two Oscars, five BAFTAs, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. She was also nominated for six Laurence Olivier Awards and achieved the esteemed Triple Crown of Acting."
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, later known as Maggie Smith, was born in Ilford, Essex in December 1934.
Margaret Natalie Smith, later known as Maggie Smith, was born in Ilford, Essex in December 1934.
At the age of 17, Maggie Smith began her acting career as Viola in "Twelfth Night" at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952.
Maggie Smith began her stage career at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952, playing the role of Viola in Twelfth Night.
Maggie Smith appeared in two productions at the Oxford Playhouse in 1953: "Rookery Nook" and "Cakes and Ale".
Smith appeared in "The Government Inspector" at the Oxford Playhouse and made her television debut in "Oxford Accents," produced by Ned Sherrin, in 1954.
Maggie Smith's run in the Broadway review "New Faces of '56" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre concluded in December 1956.
Maggie Smith made her first appearance in a film in 1956 with an uncredited role in the British drama "Child in the House".
Maggie Smith starred alongside Kenneth Williams in the musical comedy "Share My Lettuce," written by Bamber Gascoigne, in 1957.
In 1959, Maggie Smith received the first of her 18 British Academy Film Award nominations for her role as Bridget Howard in "Nowhere to Go," which was also her first screen credit.
Maggie Smith appeared in the British comedy "Go to Blazes" in 1962.
Maggie Smith won her first Evening Standard Award for Best Actress for her roles in "The Private Ear" and "The Public Eye" in 1962. This success led to her joining Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company at The Old Vic.
Maggie Smith starred as Sylvia in "The Recruiting Officer" alongside Laurence Olivier in 1963.
Smith had a supporting role as Miss Dee Mead in the British drama "The V.I.P.s," starring Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Orson Welles, in 1963.
Smith played Hilde in Ibsen's "The Master Builder" alongside Laurence Olivier in 1964. During this production, an incident occurred where Olivier slapped Smith during a performance of "Othello.".
Smith appeared in Jack Clayton's film "The Pumpkin Eater" alongside Anne Bancroft in 1964.
In 1964, Maggie Smith starred in a production of Noël Coward's "Hay Fever" alongside Anthony Nichols.
Maggie Smith earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1965 film adaptation of "Othello." The same year, she appeared in "Young Cassidy," directed by Jack Cardiff and John Ford.
Maggie Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Desdemona in the film adaptation of "Othello" in 1965.
On June 1967, Maggie Smith married Robert Stephens.
Maggie Smith starred in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's crime comedy "The Honey Pot" with Rex Harrison in 1967.
Smith's portrayal of Beatrice in Franco Zeffirelli's production of "Much Ado About Nothing" in 1967 is believed to be the earliest British television broadcast of the complete play.
Smith appeared opposite Peter Ustinov in the film "Hot Millions" in 1968.
Maggie Smith's son, Toby Stephens, was born in 1969.
Maggie Smith received critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character in the film "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1969.
Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character in the film "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1969.
Maggie Smith made a guest appearance as a Music Hall Star in Richard Attenborough's musical comedy "Oh! What a Lovely War" in 1969.
Maggie Smith starred in the title role of Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" in a London production directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1970. She won her second Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for her performance.
Maggie Smith was appointed a CBE in 1970.
In 1971, Maggie Smith received an honorary doctor of letters (DLitt) from the University of St Andrews.
In 1972, Maggie Smith starred as the eccentric Augusta Bertram in George Cukor's film 'Travels with My Aunt'. Her performance earned her a third Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Smith received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the film "Travels with My Aunt" in 1972.
In 1973, she appeared in the film 'Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing', directed by Alan J. Pakula.
In April 1975, Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens divorced.
Maggie Smith married Alan Beverly Cross in June 1975.
Smith was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Amanda Prynne in Noël Coward's "Private Lives" on Broadway in 1975.
Smith received critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination for her performance as Amanda Prynne in the Broadway production of Noël Coward's "Private Lives" at the 46th Street Theatre in 1975. The play was directed by John Gielgud.
From 1976 to 1980, Maggie Smith appeared in numerous productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, including Cleopatra in 'Anthony and Cleopatra' in 1976.
In 1976, Maggie Smith appeared in 'Murder by Death', with Vincent Canby of The New York Times praising the screenplay and Smith's performance as Dick and Dora Charleston.
In 1977, she played Queen Elizabeth in 'Richard III' at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
In 1978, Smith won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "California Suite." That same year, she also appeared in the film "Death on the Nile.".
In 1978, Maggie Smith starred opposite Michael Caine in Neil Simon's 'California Suite', playing an Oscar loser. She received the 1978 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and her first Golden Globe Award for this role.
In 1978, Maggie Smith starred as Lady Macbeth in the production of 'Macbeth' at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
In 1979, Smith received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Tom Stoppard's play "Night and Day" on Broadway.
In 1979, she returned to Broadway in Tom Stoppard's original play 'Night and Day' as Ruth Carson. Smith received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play for this role.
In 1980, Maggie Smith continued to appear in productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to acclaim.
In 1981, Maggie Smith starred in the Merchant Ivory film 'Quartet' alongside Alan Bates and Isabelle Adjani. The film premiered at the 34th Cannes Film Festival and received positive reviews. Smith received her sixth BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Lois Heidler.
In 1981, Maggie Smith won her third Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for her role as Virginia Woolf in 'Virginia'.
In 1982, Maggie Smith starred in the film 'The Missionary'. Michael Caine humorously warned co-star Michael Palin that Smith would steal the film.
In 1982, she starred as Daphne Castle in the locked-room mystery film 'Evil Under the Sun' opposite Peter Ustinov, Jane Birkin, and Diana Rigg.
In 1983, she received her first of four Best Actress BAFTA TV Award nominations for her role as Mrs. Silly in 'All for Love'.
In 1984, she won her fourth Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for her role as Millament in 'The Way of the World'.
In 1984, Maggie Smith won her second Best Actress BAFTA Film Award for her role as Joyce Chilvers in the black comedy 'A Private Function' with Michael Palin. During filming, she had to vault over a pig to escape.
In 1985, Maggie Smith portrayed Charlotte Bartlett in the Merchant Ivory production of 'A Room with a View'. The film received universal acclaim and 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Smith earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and won her second Golden Globe Award and third British Academy Film Award for Best Actress.
In 1985, Maggie Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the film "A Room with a View".
In 1986, the University of Bath awarded Maggie Smith an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt).
In 1987, Maggie Smith starred as Susan in 'A Bed Among the Lentils', part of Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads' series, receiving a second BAFTA TV nomination.
In 1987, Smith won her fourth BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress for the title role in 'The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne'. Pauline Kael praised her performance, stating that Smith becomes the essence of spinsterhood.
In 1987, she starred in the London production of 'Lettice and Lovage' alongside Margaret Tyzack, receiving an Olivier Award nomination.
In January 1988, Maggie Smith was diagnosed with Graves' disease and consequently underwent both radiotherapy and optical surgery.
Maggie Smith won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in "Lettice and Lovage" in 1990.
Maggie Smith was bestowed with the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.
Maggie Smith was made a Dame (DBE) in 1990 for her contribution to the performing arts.
In 1990, she reprised her role in 'Lettice and Lovage' when it transferred to Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.
In 1991, Maggie Smith appeared as Granny Wendy in Steven Spielberg's hit movie 'Hook', a fantasy adventure film based on the Peter Pan character. The film was a financial success, making $300 million at the box office.
In 1991, Maggie Smith was awarded the Shakespeare Prize by the Hamburg Alfred Toepfer Foundation.
Maggie Smith appeared in the film "Hook" in 1991.
In 1992, Maggie Smith became a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of her contributions to film culture.
In 1992, Smith starred as Mother Superior in the Whoopi Goldberg comedy film 'Sister Act' and its sequel, 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit' (1993). She also received a third British Academy Television Award nomination for her role as Mrs. Mabel Pettigrew in the 1992 TV film 'Memento Mori'.
Smith appeared in the film "Sister Act" in 1992.
Maggie Smith was honored with the British Film Institute Fellowship in 1993 for her contributions to film.
Maggie Smith had a role in the film "The Secret Garden," released in 1993.
In 1993, she received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role as Violet Venable in the PBS television film 'Suddenly, Last Summer'. She also portrayed Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde's comic play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End, receiving her fourth Olivier Award nomination.
In 1993, Maggie Smith was given a BAFTA Special Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
In 1993, Maggie Smith starred as Mrs. Medlock in the film adaptation of "The Secret Garden," directed by Agnieszka Holland. Her performance was critically acclaimed, earning her a British Academy Film Award nomination.
In 1994 Maggie Smith was elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
Maggie Smith received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from the University of Cambridge in 1994.
Maggie Smith portrayed the Duchess of York in the 1995 film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Richard III," set in 1930s Britain and starring Ian McKellen.
Maggie Smith was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Film and Television UK in 1995.
In 1996, Maggie Smith was recognized for her outstanding career in film with the BAFTA Fellowship.
Maggie Smith joined an ensemble cast including Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler in the 1996 comedy film "The First Wives Club."
Maggie Smith was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, in 1996.
In 1997, Smith collaborated again with director Agnieszka Holland in the film "Washington Square," portraying the character of Aunt Lavinia Penniman.
Smith's performance as Claire in the 1997 production of Edward Albee's play "A Delicate Balance" garnered critical acclaim, with Variety praising her comedic timing and nuanced acting.
Maggie Smith's second husband, Alan Beverly Cross, died in March 1998.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. presented Maggie Smith with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre (The Will Award) in April 1999.
In 1999, Smith received critical acclaim for her performance as Miss Mary Shepherd in the play "The Lady in the Van," earning her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. The same year, she starred as Betsey Trotwood in the BBC adaptation of "David Copperfield," receiving BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Smith won her fifth BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lady Hester Random in the 1999 film "Tea with Mussolini." She also starred in "The Last September" and "Curtain Call" in the same year.
Smith starred as Constance, Countess of Trentham in Robert Altman's acclaimed 2001 murder mystery "Gosford Park." Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Smith received an Academy Award nomination for her role in "Gosford Park" in 2001. This year also marked the beginning of her appearances as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" film series.
Maggie Smith began her iconic role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in 2001, joining a cast of renowned British and Irish actors.
In 2002, Smith starred in "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and reunited with Judi Dench for the play "The Breath of Life."
Maggie Smith won a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in the HBO film "My House in Umbria" in 2003.
Smith won her first Primetime Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role in the HBO film "My House in Umbria" in 2003.
In 2004, Smith appeared alongside Judi Dench in the film "Ladies in Lavender" and toured Australia with the play "Talking Heads."
Judi Dench was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2005.
Smith starred in the black comedy "Keeping Mum" with Rowan Atkinson and Kristin Scott Thomas in 2005.
The stars on the London Avenue of Stars, including Maggie Smith's, were removed in 2006.
Smith starred in a West End revival of "The Lady from Dubuque" and the HBO film "Capturing Mary" in 2007, earning an Emmy nomination for the latter.
Smith appeared in the costume drama "Becoming Jane" in 2007, a film about the life of Jane Austen.
Maggie Smith's breast cancer diagnosis was made public by The Sunday Telegraph in 2007.
In 2009, reports indicated that Maggie Smith had made a full recovery from breast cancer.
Smith appeared in Julian Fellowes's fantasy drama film "From Time to Time" in 2009.
A copy of the 1967 television broadcast of "Much Ado About Nothing" featuring Maggie Smith as Beatrice was found in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC in 2010. The recording had been considered lost.
In 2010, Maggie Smith was celebrated at the Laurence Olivier Awards with the Society of London Theatre Special Award.
In 2010, Smith played Mrs. Docherty in "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang" alongside Emma Thompson.
Maggie Smith's role as Violet Crawley in the British period drama "Downton Abbey" premiered in 2010. This year, she was also honored with the Society of London Theatre Special Award.
Smith originated the role of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey" in 2010.
In September 2011, Maggie Smith showed her support for the fundraising efforts to rebuild the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, following the devastating earthquake earlier that year.
Smith concluded her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the final Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2," in 2011, marking the end of a successful film franchise.
Maggie Smith's role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" film series concluded in 2011.
Maggie Smith became a patron of the International Glaucoma Association (now Glaucoma UK) in July 2012, aiming to raise awareness about glaucoma.
Maggie Smith received the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Legacy Award in September 2012.
Maggie Smith participated in the 2012 Celebrity Paw Auction by donating a drawing of her hand to raise funds for Cats Protection in November 2012.
Smith starred in the comedy "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut "Quartet" in 2012, receiving acclaim for both performances.
In 2012, Maggie Smith appeared in two films: "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and "Quartet".
In May 2013, Maggie Smith donated a personally decorated gnome to an auction aimed at raising funds for the Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School Gardening.
In 2013, Maggie Smith gave an interview in which she discussed her feelings on loneliness.
In 2013, Maggie Smith participated in the filmed event "National Theatre Live: 50 Years On Stage", which featured live performances from productions by the Royal National Theatre.
In 2013, Maggie Smith was given the Evening Standard Icon Award.
In February 2014, Maggie Smith was inducted into the Actors Hall of Fame.
In 2014, Maggie Smith was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for her service to drama.
Smith starred in the romantic comedy "My Old Lady" alongside Kristin Scott Thomas and Kevin Kline in 2014, with her performance garnering praise.
In March 2015, Smith announced her departure from "Downton Abbey" after six seasons, marking the end of her celebrated portrayal of the Dowager Countess.
In October 2015, Maggie Smith appeared on "The Graham Norton Show" to discuss her role in the film "The Lady in the Van".
Maggie Smith's run as Violet Crawley in the popular series "Downton Abbey" concluded in 2015.
Smith reprised her role as Muriel Donnelly in the sequel "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" in 2015.
Maggie Smith starred in the film "The Lady in the Van," released in 2015.
During an appearance on "The Graham Norton Show" in 2015, Maggie Smith shared an anecdote about being slapped by Laurence Olivier during a 1964 production of "Othello.".
Maggie Smith was awarded the Critics' Circle Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in March 2016.
In April 2016, Maggie Smith was given the Bodley Medal from the University of Oxford's Bodleian Libraries for her work in the performing arts.
During a 2016 interview with NPR, Maggie Smith shared her perspective on aging as a character actor. She expressed that her career path allowed her to transition into roles as mothers and grandmothers, continually developing her talents rather than experiencing a decline.
In 2016, while promoting "The Lady in the Van," Smith fondly remembered her experiences working with Alan Rickman on the Harry Potter films, highlighting their shared humor and camaraderie on set.
In October 2017, Maggie Smith was awarded an honorary fellowship of Mansfield College, Oxford.
In 2018, the documentary "Nothing Like a Dame" was released, featuring conversations with Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, and Joan Plowright about their acting careers.
In 2018, Maggie Smith reprised her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall by voicing the character in the video game "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery".
In April 2019, Maggie Smith returned to the stage after an eleven-year absence in the play "A German Life".
The film "Downton Abbey", which continued the tv series, premiered in September 2019.
In November 2020, Maggie Smith joined fellow actors Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, and Ian McKellen for a virtual conversation titled "For One Knight Only" to benefit the charity Acting for Others.
Maggie Smith participated in a streaming event alongside Kathleen Turner in April 2021. This event aimed to support The Royal Theatrical Fund, which provides assistance to individuals who have worked in the entertainment industry.
In 2021, the film adaptation of "A Boy Called Christmas", starring Maggie Smith, was released on Netflix.
In 2022, "Downton Abbey: A New Era", in which Maggie Smith starred as Violet Crawley, was released in theatres.
In October 2023, Maggie Smith was featured as one of the faces of Loewe's SS24 pre-collection.
In 2023, Maggie Smith starred in "The Miracle Club", an Irish drama film, alongside Kathy Bates and Laura Linney.
After a long and illustrious career, Dame Margaret Natalie Smith passed away in September 2024.
On September 27, 2024, at the age of 89, Maggie Smith passed away at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. Throughout her life, she had been open about her health challenges, including glaucoma, Graves' disease, and breast cancer.