Reflecting upon Maggie Smith’s remarkable life journey, I am nothing short of astounded by her indomitable spirit and resilience. Her ability to face adversity with grace, humor, and unwavering determination is truly inspiring. From battling cancer while continuing to act, to gracing our screens as the formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham, Smith has demonstrated time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with.
The wizarding world has lost an acting legend.
As a connoisseur of life’s finer aspects, I regret to share that the esteemed actress, Maggie Smith, whose captivating performances in the Harry Potter series and the Downton Abbey franchise have graced our screens for decades, has departed at the age of 89. The BBC confirmed this news on Sept. 27.
With heavy hearts, her family announced that Dame Maggie Smith has sadly passed away. This occurred tranquilly in a hospital early on Friday, 27th September. Being deeply private, she was surrounded by loved ones – friends and family – when her time ended.
She has two sons and five adoring grandchildren, all deeply saddened by the passing of their remarkable matriarch and granny. The narrative proceeds.
Smith’s exact cause of death wasn’t disclosed, however, her family mentioned that she was under the care of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during her last days.
Margaret Natalie Smith began her long acting career as a teenager on December 28, 1934. While studying at Oxford Playhouse School, she acted in various plays such as ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘Cinderella’. Her skills were later recognized at The Old Vic in London, where she attracted the attention of actor-director Laurence Olivier and was asked to join the Royal National Theatre company in 1963, becoming one of its founding members.
As an accomplished stage actor, Smith was bestowed the title of Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for her significant achievements in the arts. She played key roles in productions such as Macbeth, Anthony and Cleopatra, Richard III, Othello, and Hedda Gabler. Her theatrical honors were numerous, including a record-breaking six Evening Standard Theatre Awards—the longest-standing theatrical award in the UK—and a Tony Award for the 1990 play Lettice and Lovage.
Beyond the realm of stage performances (which she confessed to the Evening Standard as her most cherished), the actress graced numerous adored films, such as Hook, Sister Act, Gosford Park, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She clinched a Best Actress Oscar in 1969 for her performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1978’s California Suite.
Notably, Smith played the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films despite receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2007, a testament to her dedication and resilience.
In an interview with The Times back in 2009, she shared that despite undergoing cancer treatments, she remained bald. She added, “Putting on the wig was never an issue for me. I felt as smooth and bare as a hard-boiled egg.
Despite feeling extremely ill during the production of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince“, Smith stated that the ordeal demonstrated resilience to her. In a straightforward manner, she told the press, “Stuff happens.” She added, “I should gather myself up a bit.
Personally, I’ve had the privilege of captivating audiences as the formidable Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, on the beloved series “Downton Abbey.” Over the six-season run, I was honored to take home three Emmys for my portrayal. More recently, I’ve had the joy of revisiting this iconic character in the 2019 and 2022 film adaptations of the show.
Besides headlining the historical drama, Smith additionally featured in popular TV films like “My House in Umbria” and “Capturing Mary”, as well as the BBC miniseries “David Copperfield”, which included her “Harry Potter” co-star Daniel Radcliffe.
In 2009, she shared with The Times that she remained bald during her cancer treatments as she worked diligently. She found it effortless to put on her wig, likening herself to a boiled egg.
Despite feeling extremely ill during the filming of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince“, Smith stated that the ordeal taught her about resilience. In a straightforward manner, she told the press, “Stuff happens”. She added that it was time for her to gather herself and be stronger.
In terms of her television work, Smith became well-known for playing Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, on ‘Downton Abbey’. During the show’s six-season run, she won three Emmys. She later reprised this role in the 2019 and 2022 movie versions of the series.
Alongside her role in the historical drama, Smith additionally featured in popular TV films like “My House in Umbria” and “Capturing Mary”, as well as the BBC miniseries “David Copperfield”, where she worked alongside her fellow “Harry Potter” actor Daniel Radcliffe.
And though Smith’s resumé boasted a plethora of prestigious honors, she kept out of the public spotlight and enjoyed a quiet private life. She was married to Robert Stephens—with whom she shares sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, both now working as actors—from 1967 to 1975 and playwright Beverley Cross from 1975 until his death in 1998.
In 2013, when asked about her curiosity towards her celebrity standing, Smith expressed to CBS News, “Not at all, you know? Why should I be?
She went on to say, “I still feel the same as I did earlier, and I’m not really sure what it signifies, but I must admit that strangers seem more recognizable to me since Downton Abbey. Now, people know me – something I wasn’t accustomed to before. All of this recognition stems directly from the TV.
In my own words, I’ve always been admired for my sharp intellect by those in my circle. Yet, humility remains a cornerstone of my personality, even after years spent in my profession. In an interview with The Telegraph back in 2014, I humorously stated, “Everyone is an icon if they’ve been around long enough. If you’re a veteran, you’re an icon, a rather dusty one…or perhaps a cherished national treasure.
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2024-09-27 16:48