Maggie Smith British Actress Born 1934 in Ilford
Maggie Smith · actor · British
Known for
Biography
Maggie Smith was born on 28 December 1934 in Ilford. She was a British actress. The date of her death is 27 September 2024; She was 89. Audiences know her from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).
Her screen career on record begins in 1956 with Child in the House. Maggie Smith’s credits add up to 60 films and 2 TV series from 1956 to 2023. Her characters include Constance, Countess of Trentham in Gosford Park (2001), Wendy Darling in Hook (1991) and Miss Bowers in Death on the Nile (1978). The last film or series of her lifetime on record is The Miracle Club (2023).
In total, she won 25 awards and earned 9 nominations. Records show Academy Award for Best Actress in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie as her first win. The newest entry is Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2016 for Downton Abbey.
Filmography
62 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Miracle Club | Lily Fox | Film |
| 2022 | Downton Abbey: A New Era | Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham | Film |
| 2021 | A Boy Called Christmas | Film | |
| 2019 | Downton Abbey | Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham | Film |
| 2015 | The Lady in the Van | Film | |
| 2015 | The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Film | |
| 2014 | My Old Lady | Film | |
| 2012 | Quartet | Film | |
| 2011 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2011 | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Film | |
| 2010– | Downton Abbey | Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham | TV series |
| 2010 | Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang | Film | |
| 2009 | From Time to Time | Film | |
| 2009 | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2007 | Becoming Jane | Film |
Show all 62 credits
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007– | Capturing Mary | TV series | |
| 2007 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2005 | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2005 | Keeping Mum | Film | |
| 2004 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2004 | Ladies in Lavender | Film | |
| 2003 | My House in Umbria | Film | |
| 2002 | Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood | Film | |
| 2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Constance, Countess of Trentham | Film |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | Minerva McGonagall | Film |
| 1999 | All the King's Men | Film | |
| 1999 | Curtain Call | Film | |
| 1999 | Tea with Mussolini | Film | |
| 1999 | The Last September | Film | |
| 1997 | Washington Square | Film | |
| 1996 | The First Wives Club | Film | |
| 1995 | Richard III | Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, the Duchess of York | Film |
| 1993 | Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Film | |
| 1993 | The Secret Garden | Film | |
| 1992 | Sister Act | Film | |
| 1991 | Hook | Wendy Darling | Film |
| 1990 | Romeo.Juliet | Film | |
| 1987 | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Film | |
| 1986 | A Room with a View | Film | |
| 1984 | A Private Function | Film | |
| 1984 | Lily in Love | Film | |
| 1982 | Better Late Than Never | Film | |
| 1982 | Evil Under the Sun | Film | |
| 1982 | The Missionary | Film | |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Thetis | Film |
| 1981 | Quartet | Film | |
| 1978 | California Suite | Film | |
| 1978 | Death on the Nile | Miss Bowers | Film |
| 1976 | Murder by Death | Film | |
| 1973 | Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing | Film | |
| 1972 | Travels with My Aunt | Film | |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Music Hall Star | Film |
| 1969 | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Film | |
| 1968 | Hot Millions | Film | |
| 1967 | The Honey Pot | Film | |
| 1965 | Othello | Desdemona | Film |
| 1965 | Young Cassidy | Film | |
| 1964 | The Pumpkin Eater | Film | |
| 1963 | The V.I.P.s | Film | |
| 1958 | Nowhere to Go | Film | |
| 1956 | Child in the House | Film |
Awards and nominations
25 won, 9 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bodley Medal | Won | |
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | Won |
| 2014 | Companion of Honour | Won | |
| 2014 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | Won |
| 2013 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Downton Abbey | Won |
| 2012 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | Won |
| 2011 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Downton Abbey | Won |
| 2010 | Society of London Theatre Special Award | Won | |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | My House in Umbria | Won |
| 2000 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Tea with Mussolini | Won |
| 1996 | BAFTA Fellowship | Won | |
| 1990 | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Won | |
| 1990 | Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play | Lettice and Lovage | Won |
| 1989 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Won |
| 1987 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | A Room with a View | Won |
Show all 34 entries
| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | A Room with a View | Won |
| 1985 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | A Private Function | Won |
| 1979 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Won |
| 1979 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | California Suite | Won |
| 1970 | Academy Award for Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Won |
| 1970 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Won |
| 1970 | Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Won | |
| Critics' Circle Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts | Won | ||
| Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
| honorary doctor of the University of St Andrews | Won | ||
| 2005 | Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress | Ladies in Lavender | Nominated |
| 2002 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| 2002 | Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| 1987 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | A Room with a View | Nominated |
| 1980 | Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play | Nominated | |
| 1979 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Nominated |
| 1973 | Academy Award for Best Actress | Travels with My Aunt | Nominated |
| 1970 | Academy Award for Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Nominated |
| 1966 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | Othello | Nominated |
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Robert Stephens (1967 to 1975, divorced) and Alan Beverley Cross (1975 to 1998, ended by death). She was the mother of Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. Education on record includes Oxford High School.
Maggie Smith Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old was Maggie Smith at the time of death?
Maggie Smith died on 27 September 2024 at the age of 89. She was born on 28 December 1934.
What is Maggie Smith known for?
Maggie Smith was known for playing Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011).
What is Maggie Smith’s nationality?
Maggie Smith was British, born in Ilford.
How tall was Maggie Smith?
Maggie Smith was 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall.
Who was Maggie Smith married to?
Maggie Smith’s marriages on record are to Alan Beverley Cross (1975 to 1998) and Robert Stephens (1967 to 1975).
Has Maggie Smith won any awards?
Yes. 25 awards are on record, including Bodley Medal (2016).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q172653), accessed October 2026
- Photo: N/A studio · Public domain
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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