In the Harry Potter films, Maggie Smith played Professor Minerva McGonagall, a good soul in the magical universe. Now the British actress, who was known from the series Downton Abbey, for example, according to the Guardian died at the age of 89.
Maggie Smith began her acting career in the theater
Maggie Smith was born on December 28, 1934 in Essex, England. After leaving school at the age of 16, she first worked in the theater and soon became an assistant stage manager.
In 1952 she gave her herself Acting debut on stage in the William Shakespeare comedy What You Want. The performance quickly made her a recognized actress at Oxford. In the following years she appeared in many other plays.
Before Harry Potter, Maggie Smith appeared in many films
Maggie Smith’s film career began in 1956 when she played a small role in Child in the House. From the 60s onwards she played increasingly larger film roles. These included productions such as Hotel International, Bedroom Controversy and Cassidy, the Rebel. Smith’s international breakthrough came in the 1965 Shakespeare film adaptation Othello. For her performance, she was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actress.
In the decades that followed The actress continued to alternate between film and theater roles. Well-known films by Smith include titles such as Death on the Nile, Hook, Sister Act and The She-Devils Club. In 1999 she appeared in the first Harry Potter film adaptation as Professor Minerva McGonagall. She subsequently appeared in all films in the fantasy series except for Part 7.1.
Over the course of her career, Maggie Smith has won two Oscars, a Tony Award, four Emmys, five BAFTAs and three Golden Globes.
In her private life, Maggie Smith preferred to live in seclusion
The actress rarely gave interviews outside of her film and theater roles. In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which Smith discussed publicly in a 2009 interview with The Times.
On September 27, 2024, Maggie Smith died at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London at the age of 89. She leaves behind two sons.