The iconic British actress, Dame Maggie Smith, who enticed audiences through her roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, passed away on September 27 at the age of 89.
Smith’s impressive career began when she was just 17 at the Oxford Playhouse and spanned decades, earning her numerous accolades.
Among her many honors, she won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five BAFTAs. Her contributions to acting earned her the title of “Dame” from Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.
Maggie Smith’s impressive career began at 17, leading her to win two Academy Awards, a Tony, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and five BAFTAs among many other accolades
In an industry where opportunities for older actresses often dwindle, Smith defied the odds with her enduring success. After her start on the U.K. stage, she conquered Hollywood, winning Oscars in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and again in 1979 for California Suite. Over the years, she received a total of six Academy Award nominations, her last being for Gosford Park in 2002.
Her fame truly skyrocketed when she played the formidable Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, becoming an iconic figure in pop culture.
Smith, then in her late sixties, starred in seven of the eight films in the franchise, starting in 2001, which introduced her work to a new generation and cemented her as a fan favorite. At 70, she transformed into a global sensation as a beloved “wand-wielding” legend.
Even after her Harry Potter fame, Smith landed another major role, starring as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, which ran from 2010 to 2015.
As the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess, she became synonymous with biting wit and memorable expressions, earning her a place in meme culture in her later years.
Smith’s portrayal of Violet Crawley transcended the show, making her a social media sensation. Fans created countless memes featuring her character’s signature scowls and sharp comebacks, with one of the most popular saying, “Young man, I have no desire to ‘Netflix and chill.’”
She also appeared in the Downton Abbey feature films, including Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022), which concluded with her character’s death.
Reflecting on her career, Smith acknowledged that her life was relatively private before the explosion of Downton Abbey’s popularity. In a 2017 interview, she remarked, “I led a perfectly normal life until Downton Abbey.
Nobody knew who I was before.” She shared that while recognition can sometimes be flattering, it can also be overwhelming, adding that it was a “strange sensation” after decades of being relatively unnoticed by the public.
Smith explained that the show’s unexpected success caught everyone by surprise. Unlike Harry Potter, which was destined to be a global phenomenon, the sudden cultural impact of Downton Abbey brought her a new level of fame.
She credited creator Julian Fellowes for crafting a character that resonated with audiences, noting that Violet’s wisdom and experience made her stand out.
As for her own career longevity, Smith attributed it to her early focus on character roles rather than being cast for her looks. She humorously commented that while it must be lovely to be known for beauty, it’s harder to age out of such roles.
As a character actor, she easily transitioned into older roles, first playing mothers and then grandmothers as her career progressed.
On September 27, the world learned of Smith’s passing when her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement through publicist Clair Dobbs.
They expressed deep sadness over her loss, noting that she passed away peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by family and friends. Her sons and five grandchildren, heartbroken by her departure, paid tribute to their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
The family also expressed gratitude to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care in her final days. Following the news of her death, many of Smith’s Downton Abbey co-stars paid their respects.
Hugh Bonneville, who portrayed her on-screen son, described her as “a true legend of her generation,” while Michelle Dockery, her on-screen granddaughter, remembered her as an irreplaceable maverick.
