Photo Caption: Maggie Smith
September 27, 2024
Actress Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and the TV series and film Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, her family said.
The legend of the British stage and cinema died in London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones.
“At the end of her life, she was mostly with friends and family. She is survived by two sons and five loving grandchildren, who are very hard to cope with the loss of their outstanding mother and grandmother,” the actress’ sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stevens said in a statement.
It is not known what caused the actress’ death and whether she suffered from a disease.
It is known that in 2007 Smith was diagnosed with oncology. She fought with breast cancer, but was able to overcome the disease.
Hugh Bonneville, her Downton Abbey co-star, expressed his condolences, noting her exceptional talent and wit. He emphasized that it was a privilege to work with Maggie and that her legacy will live on in her stunning roles on screen.
“Anyone who has ever shared the stage with Maggie knows about her sharp eye, remarkable talent and subtle sense of humor. She was a true legend of her generation,” said Bonneville.
The most famous roles
Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, in the family of a pathologist.
With the Second World War approaching, the family moved to Oxford, and young Maggie entered the Oxford School for Girls.
Her theatrical career began in one of the Oxford theaters, where she sold theater programs, and then became an understudy. But in one of the interviews, she humorously told that she never went on stage because no one ever got sick in that theater.
The real theatrical debut of Maggie Smith took place in one of the London theaters in 1952.
In the movies, Smith played mostly typical characters.
Maggie’s first experience was a cameo role in the 1956 film “The Baby in the House”, and in 1958 she starred in the film “Nowhere to Go”.
She worked at the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and played on Broadway.
photo copyright: BBC
image captionBy the mid-1960s, she was already a recognized theater actress
In 1963, Laurence Olivier offered her the role of Desdemona in his production of Othello.
Maggie’s world fame was brought by the role of a determined non-conformist teacher in the film “The Bloom of Miss Jean Brody” in 1969. For her, she received an Oscar for the best female role.
And in 1978, she starred in the film “California Suite”, the adaptation of Neil Simon’s Broadway play. Smith played an Oscar-nominated actress and later won her own Oscar for the role.
During her entire career, she was nominated for the main film award seven times.
image captionThe role of expressive teacher Jean Brody won Maggie Smith her first Oscar
The actress gained wide popularity after the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the films about Harry Potter.
Caption: She masterfully conveyed emotions and got used to every role. In the photo – in the image of Minerva McGonagall in “Harry Potter”.
The actress was also remembered for her work in the series “Downton Abbey”, where she played Countess Violet Crawley. Then she starred in the full-length film “Downton Abbey”.
The star also voiced the animated parody of Shakespeare “Gnomeo and Juliet” (2011) and its sequel “Sherlock Gnomes” (2018).
Photo Caption In “Downton Abbey”
Maggie Smith brought incredible expression to her roles, earning high praise from both directors and fellow actors.
She was said to never take the role lightly and would often speak her lines in rehearsals while the other actors were on break.
In general, Smith starred in several dozen films and TV series. She received two Oscars, seven BAFTA awards, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In 1970, the actress became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 1990 – a Dame Commander of this order.
Photo by RA
image captionMaggie Smith and Judi Dench were friends and starred together in films such as A Room with a View and Hotel Marigold
Little is known about the personal life of the actress.
Maggie lived with her first husband, Robert Stevenson, from whom she had two sons, until 1975.
After divorcing him, the actress married screenwriter Beverly Cross. They lived together until 1998, until Maggie’s chosen one died.
During her long and brilliant career, Maggie Smith left an unforgettable mark in the history of world theater and cinema. Her wit, talent and unparalleled skill made her one of the greatest actresses of her time.
