Dame Margaret Smith (born as Margaret Natalie Smith on 28th December 1934; Ilford, England; died on 27th September 2024 at 89) known professionally as Maggie Smith, was the actress who played Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
Smith made her stage debut in 1952 and has had an extensive, varied career in stage, film, and television spanning over sixty years. Smith has appeared in over 50 films and is one of Britain's most recognisable actresses. Apart from her role as Violet she is probably best known for her roles in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Gosford Park, as well as her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series (which also included Imelda Staunton). She continues to garner main roles in films and ironically, Downton Abbey is her only significant TV series experience.
She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film California Suite, as well as two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe[1] for her performance as Violet Crawley.
Smith has previously worked with Julian Fellowes on the film Gosford Park (which also starred Richard E. Grant and Jeremy Swift), often viewed as a predecessor of Downton Abbey. She also worked with Fellowes, Hugh Bonneville, Daisy Lewis, Christine Lohr, David Robb, Harriet Walter, Dominic West, and Allen Leech in the film From Time to Time (2009).
She is the mother of actor Toby Stephens, who portrayed the lead role of Captain Flint on the Starz production Black Sails.
She died in hospital in late September 2024 surrounded by family and friends.
Some other notable roles[]
Series[]
- Betsey Trotwood (ep 1, 2) in David Copperfield (1999 - 2000 mini-series)
Movies[]
- Lily Fox (main role) in The Miracle Club (2023)
- Miss Shepherd (main role) in The Lady in the Van (2015)
- Muriel Donnelly (main role) in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- Mrs Oldknow in From Time to Time (2009)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- Mary Gilbert (main role) in Capturing Mary (2007 TV movie)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Lady Gresham in Becoming Jane (2007)
- Grace Hawkins (main role) in Keeping Mum (2005)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Janet (main role) in Ladies in Lavender (2004)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Mrs. Delahunty (main role) in My House in Umbria (2003 TV movie)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Constance Trentham (main role) in Gosford Park (2001)
- Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- Queen Alexandra in All the King's Men (1999)
- Lady Hester (main role) in Tea with Mussolini (1999)
- Gunilla Garson Goldberg in The First Wives Club (1996)
- Duchess of York in Richard III (1995)
- Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden (1993)
- Mother Superior in Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
- Judith Hearne (main role) in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987)
- Charlotte Bartlett, a Chaperon in A Room with a View (1985)
- Lily Wynn (main role) in Lily in Love (1984)
- Lady Isabel Ames (main role) in The Missionary (1982)
- Daphne Castle in Evil Under the Sun (1982)
- Diana Barrie in California Suite (1978)
- Dora Charleston in Murder by Death (1976)
- Jean Brodie (main role) in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
- Patty Terwilliger Smith (main role) in Hot Millions (1968)
- Philpot in The Pumpkin Eater (1964)
- Bridget Howard (main role) in Nowhere to Go (1958)
Stage[]
- Viola (first role) in Twelfth Night at the Oxford Playhouse
References[]
- ↑ Maggie Smith wins Golden Globe for 'Downton Abbey' role, Sarah Luoma, Digital Spy, 14th January, 2013.
External links[]
- Other info
- News
COLLIDER 'Downton Abbey' Allowed Me To Say Goodbye To Maggie Smith By Mauricio Cueto, Published Sep 27, 2024
MSNBC Why Maggie Smith’s turn on ‘Downton Abbey’ was the best acting in a generation By Noor Noman Sept. 27, 2024, 11:16 AM PDT- Deadline Hollywood ‘Downton Abbey’ Cast & Creatives Pay Tribute To Maggie Smith; Julian Fellowes, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville By Denise Petski September 27, 2024 9:04am
- The Hollywood Reporter ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ Stars Pay Tribute to Maggie Smith: “One of the Greatest Actors of Our Time” By Christy Piña September 27, 2024 8:40am
- Variety ‘Downton Abbey’ Creator Honors Maggie Smith: ‘Working With Her Has Been the Greatest Privilege of My Career’ By Alex Ritman Sep 27, 2024 8:14am PT
- Variety Maggie Smith, Star of ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ Dies at 89 By Carmel Dagan, Alex Ritman; Sep 27, 2024 6:23am PT
