Renowned British actress Maggie Smith, celebrated for her superb acting talent and captivating screen presence, has passed away at the age of 89. A poignant announcement from her family confirmed that Smith died on Friday, September 27, 2024, in a London hospital. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, conveyed their grief in a public statement, acknowledging the enormous loss: “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
Maggie Smith’s remarkable career spanned over seven decades, during which she garnered respect and admiration as one of Britain’s most accomplished female actors. Her illustrious career included iconic roles across both stage and screen, and she was frequently lauded alongside her contemporaries, Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. Despite the passage of time, Smith remained a formidable force in the acting world, maintaining an insatiable demand for her talents. She often humorously commented on her career in later years, acknowledging the challenges of finding roles once reaching the “granny era.”
Smith’s uncanny ability to breathe life into characters with wit and depth earned her critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Her portrayal of the enigmatic Edinburgh schoolteacher Jean Brodie in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” secured her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969, alongside a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA). She captivated audiences once more in 1978 with her role in “California Suite,” which won her another Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Moreover, Smith’s prowess was recognized with Golden Globes for “California Suite” and “A Room with a View,” and additional BAFTAs for “A Private Function,” “A Room with a View,” and “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne.”
In addition to her cinematic achievements, Smith left an indelible mark on the stage. In 1990, she was awarded a Tony for her performance in “Lettice and Lovage.” Her enduring legacy also includes her memorable role as the dowager Countess of Grantham in the acclaimed television series “Downton Abbey,” as well as her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the beloved “Harry Potter” film series, resonating with a new generation of fans.
Despite her legendary status, Smith was reputed to be a challenging presence on set, known for her knack for upstaging fellow actors.
. Richard Burton once remarked that she committed “grand larceny” during their collaboration in “The VIPs.” Director Peter Hall, however, defended her, noting that Smith was not “remotely difficult unless she’s among idiots.” Her hard-nosed approach to her craft was tempered by an equally hard self-assessment, which she applied to others with equal measure. With characteristic candor, Smith once admitted, “It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky.”
Off-stage, Maggie Smith was a fiercely private individual, known for her aversion to celebrity fanfare. Simon Callow, a co-star in “A Room with a View,” recounted how his initial effusive praise led Smith to withdraw, highlighting her discomfort with such adulation. Smith herself remained reticent to discuss acting, believing that dissecting her craft could detract from its magic.
Throughout her life, Maggie Smith received significant recognition for her contributions to the arts. She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of a knighthood, in 1990. Her personal life, while more subdued than her illustrious public persona, included marriages to fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967, with whom she had two sons, and later, the writer Beverley Cross. Smith’s marriage to Cross continued until his death in 1998.
Maggie Smith’s legacy is not only cemented by her vast body of work but also by her distinctive ability to turn the mundane into the memorable. As critic Frank Rich once noted in a New York Times review, Smith’s delivery could transform a simple line into something worth pondering, lending it the weight of an epigram by Coward or Wilde. Her unforgettable career and singular talent have left an indelible imprint on the world of entertainment, continuing to inspire and entertain fans across the globe.
