The world of cinema and theatre is mourning the loss of an exceptional talent as Dame Maggie Smith, the brilliant actor known for her Oscar-winning role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024. The beloved actress, who was 89, captivated audiences for decades, most notably in her late-career roles as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey, and as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. Her remarkable journey in the arts was brought to a close at a hospital in London, as confirmed by a statement from her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” the statement read, released through publicist Clair Dobbs.
Considered one of the foremost British actresses of her time, Maggie Smith’s career stood alongside such eminent figures as Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. Her shelf is adorned with numerous awards, including a pair of Academy Awards, and her performances delivered with wit and grace left an indelible mark on stages and screens alike.
In latter years, she humorously reflected on her range of roles in films, noting the challenges and opportunities of playing elderly characters. She referred to this phase of her career as “a gallery of grotesques,” and famously remarked that her role in Harry Potter was her “pension.” Regardless, her performances continued to draw applause, and her reputation for excellence in her craft was unshakeable.
The acclaimed director Richard Eyre, who had the pleasure of working with Smith, praised her intellectual prowess, stating she was “the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with.” He remarked that besting Smith in intelligence would require one to “get up very, very early in the morning.”
Smith’s breakout role came with her portrayal of Jean Brodie, a charismatic and controversial schoolteacher, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA in 1969. Her career was dotted with numerous accolades: an Oscar for her supporting role in California Suite in 1978, Golden Globe wins for both California Suite and A Room with a View, and several BAFTAs for her contributions to cinema.
Her list of nominations is equally impressive, including Academy Award nods for Othello, Travels with My Aunt, Room with a View, and Gosford Park. Smith’s stage presence was equally compelling, earning her a Tony Award in 1990 for her role in Lettice and Lovage, showcasing her versatility and dynamic range.
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Smith’s reputation as a challenging yet brilliant performer was acknowledged by her peers. Renowned actor Richard Burton once noted that she committed “grand larceny” of scenes they shared. The respected director Peter Hall, however, asserted that she was difficult only with fools and was known for her critique of herself and others.
Critics, too, admired her skill—Frank Rich of The New York Times lauded her performance in Lettice and Lovage, describing her ability to revitalise even the most mundane lines with theatrical flair. Such was her talent that lines spoken by Smith, intended to be humorous, would lose their comedic effect once critiqued and overt praise was often unwelcome.
Born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, just outside London, her journey to theatrical prominence began in Oxford during World War II. Her father’s wartime duty there allowed her to hone her craft at the Oxford Playhouse School.
She adopted the stage name Maggie to distinguish herself from another theatre actress and was soon recognized by Laurence Olivier, who cast her in a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Influenced by directors including Ingmar Bergman and William Gaskill, her legacy in theatre was well-cemented.
Despite her illustrious career, Smith was known for her privacy. She resided out of the public eye, preferring her work to speak for itself. Her knighthood as a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1990 recognized her immense contributions to the arts.
Maggie Smith married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967, with whom she had two sons before their divorce in 1975. She later married the writer Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1998. Her departure marks the end of an era, but her artistry will keep inspiring both current and future generations.
