Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe in a scene from Harry Potter.
Maggie Smith, the beloved actor known for her Oscar-winning role in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969) and her more recent performances as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey and Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, passed away on Friday at 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced her death, sharing that she died early in a London hospital. In their statement, they expressed the deep sorrow felt by her family, especially her five grandchildren.
Smith, often regarded as one of Britain's finest actors alongside talents like Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, leaves behind a legacy of stellar performances spanning decades. Over her career, she earned two Oscars, numerous Academy Award nominations, and a shelf full of awards.
Smith began her film career in the 1950s, winning her first Oscar in the 60s and following it with another in the 70s. She continued to shine on screen for decades, playing notable roles like an older Wendy in Hook (1991) and a strict mother superior in Sister Act (1992). She also had a significant presence in theater, famously performing in Shakespearean works and later voicing animation in Gnomeo & Juliet (2011). Even in her later years, Smith remained in demand despite once joking that “when you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.”
Known for her sharp wit, Smith referred to her later roles, such as Professor McGonagall, as “a gallery of grotesques.” She humorously remarked that “Harry Potter is my pension.” Directors and co-stars frequently praised her talent, with Richard Eyre, who worked with her on Suddenly, Last Summer, calling her “the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with.”
Smith’s portrayal of Jean Brodie, a charismatic yet dangerous schoolteacher, won her an Academy Award, while her role in California Suite earned her a second Oscar. She also received multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for various performances across film and television.
From 2010, she captivated audiences as Violet Crawley, the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, which brought her more awards and a new generation of fans. While the show brought her unprecedented recognition, she admitted she was relieved when it ended in 2016, saying, “It’s freedom.”
Smith's legacy spans a wide range of iconic roles, from Shakespearean tragedies to delivering unforgettable one-liners in Downton Abbey, where her character famously asked, “What is a weekend?” Her work earned her the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1990, a distinction King Charles III and Queen Camilla recognized in their tribute to her.
Colleagues remembered Smith fondly. Hugh Bonneville, her Downton Abbey co-star, praised her wit, sharp eye, and talent, while actor Rob Lowe described working with her as unforgettable. He noted that sharing a scene with her felt like “being paired with a lion,” and added, “We will never see another like her.”
Born in Ilford on December 28, 1934, Smith began her acting journey at a young age, studying theater in Oxford. She eventually joined Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre company and starred alongside him in a 1965 adaptation of Othello. Smith continued to grace the stage and screen throughout her career, becoming known for her strong presence and sharp performances.
Though fiercely private, Smith was respected by her peers for her dedication to her craft. She once admitted, “I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky.” Despite her sometimes prickly reputation, her work left an indelible mark on both theater and film. Smith was married twice, first to actor Robert Stephens, with whom she had two sons, and later to writer Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1998.
Maggie Smith’s extraordinary life and career spanned over seven decades, and her loss will be felt by many who admired her wit, talent, and timeless performances.
