Dame Maggie Smith 's death on 27 September 2024 marks the end of an era in British theatre and film. At 89, Smith leaves behind an immense artistic legacy, renowned both for her impeccable versatility and her ability to bring emotional depth to the characters she played. With a career spanning more than six decades, her passing has shocked the artistic community and the millions of fans who admired her.
A legacy in theatre and cinema
Born in Essex in 1934, Maggie Smith began her career in theatre at the age of 17, initially working at the Oxford Playhouse. Although her early roles as a stagehand were not exactly glamorous (as she herself described on more than one occasion, “I made endless cups of tea and acted as a maid”), her passion for acting was undeniable from the start.
In 1956, she made the leap to Broadway in New Faces of '56 , which catapulted her to greater notoriety. Soon after, she returned to London to appear in notable productions such as The Private Ear and the Public Eye and was later invited by the legendary Sir Laurence Olivier to join his company at the National Theatre.It was on the stage that Smith developed unparalleled stagecraft. Memorable roles from this period include performances in Much Ado About Nothing and The Recruiting Officer , as well as her iconic portrayal of Desdemona in Othello opposite Olivier. The latter role cemented her reputation on the stage and opened doors for her in film, where her talents would continue to shine.
Success in film and the Academy Awards
Film was the other major stage in her life. In the late 1960s, Smith rose to international fame with the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), in which she played a charismatic and somewhat manipulative schoolteacher. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress , the first of two Academy Awards she would win throughout her career. The second came in 1978 for California Suite , in which she played a neurotic Hollywood actress, taking home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Yet for many generations, her face became indelibly associated with that of the stern but fair Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. Over the course of eight films, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2011), Smith became a symbol of wisdom and steadfastness, endearing her to younger fans. This new wave of popularity only confirmed her place as one of the most beloved actresses in contemporary cinema.
Downton Abbey and its relevance on television
During the later years of her career, Smith continued to dazzle with her television work. Her role as the acerbic Violet Crawley , the Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey , earned her a new legion of fans and multiple awards, including several Emmys. With her acerbic wit and sarcastic remarks, Violet Crawley became one of the series' most beloved and oft-quoted characters, a testament to how Smith could inject grace and humor into even the most outlandish of roles.
A discreet life
Despite her success and public adoration, Smith was always a private person. She preferred to stay out of the media spotlight when she wasn't working, something she managed even when playing iconic characters. She was a woman of few interviews and rarely spoke about her personal life, although it is known that she was the mother of two sons, both actors: Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.
During her later years, Smith remained private, quietly dealing with health issues that took a toll on her, including a battle with breast cancer in the early 2000s. However, she continued to work regularly, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to acting well into her later years.
Reactions to his death
The news of her passing has prompted a flood of tributes from entertainment industry figures and the general public. Actors, directors and colleagues have expressed their admiration for her talent, her work ethic and her generosity as a performer. "She was an inspiration to us all," commented one director who worked with her on several stage productions, "no one had the elegance and precision with words that Maggie had."
Fans of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey have also taken to social media to express their grief, recalling the characters' countless memorable lines and the impact they had on global popular culture.
An immortal legacy
With the death of Dame Maggie Smith, the world of show business loses one of its most distinguished and beloved actresses, but her legacy, on stage, in film and on television, will live on. She was one of those rare actresses able to move easily between comedy and drama, classical theatre and blockbuster films, and her influence extends to several generations of actors who admired her and studied her technique.
In the words of one of her co-stars: "The world is a less bright place without Maggie. But her light will continue to shine in each of the films and plays she left behind."
