Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, a celebrated British actress, passed away on 27 September 2024, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, at the age of 89. Renowned for her sharp wit and comedic talent, Smith had an illustrious career spanning over seven decades on both stage and screen. She was one of the most recognizable and versatile actresses in British history. She received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, four Emmys, three Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. Smith was also one of the few actors to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, a testament to her remarkable contributions to the arts.
ALSO TRY| GK Quiz on J.K. Rowling: Are You a True Potterhead? J.K. Rowling GK Quiz
Maggie Smith Biography
Born on 28 December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith began her acting journey as a student, performing at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952. She made her professional debut on Broadway in New Faces of '56 and quickly established herself as one of Britain’s most esteemed theatre performers, working alongside Judi Dench at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Smith's Broadway accolades include Tony Award nominations for Private Lives (1975) and Night and Day (1979), and she won the Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in Lettice and Lovage (1990).
Film Success and Accolades
Maggie Smith enjoyed great success on the silver screen, winning two Academy Awards—Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978). She received further Oscar nominations for roles in Othello (1965), Travels with My Aunt (1972), A Room with a View (1985), and Gosford Park (2001). Widely known for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011), Smith also appeared in Death on the Nile (1978), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), and The Lady in the Van (2015).
Television Fame
Smith gained international fame for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, in the critically acclaimed British series Downton Abbey (2010–2015), earning three Primetime Emmy Awards. Earlier, she won an Emmy for her performance in the HBO film My House in Umbria (2003).
ALSO TRY| Personality Test: Your Favourite Harry Potter Character Reveals Your True Personality Traits
Health and Personal Struggles
In 1988, Smith was diagnosed with Graves' disease, for which she underwent radiotherapy and optical surgery. In 2007, it was revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but by 2009 she had made a full recovery.
Charity and Advocacy
Maggie Smith was deeply involved in charitable activities throughout her life. In 2011, she supported fundraising efforts to help rebuild the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the earthquake. In 2012, she became a patron of Glaucoma UK to raise awareness about the condition. Smith also supported the Royal Theatrical Fund and other arts-related causes, including participating in a celebrity auction and a 2020 charity conversation with Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen.
Later Years and Legacy
Throughout her career, Smith received numerous honorary awards, including the British Film Institute Fellowship in 1993, the BAFTA Fellowship in 1996, and the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 2010. She was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990, cementing her status as one of the most iconic figures in British entertainment history.
ALSO READ| Who is Harry Brook? Early Life, International Career, Career Stats, Centuries and More
Maggie Smith Awards and Achievements
Maggie Smith received numerous prestigious honours throughout her life for her contributions to the performing arts. In the 1970 New Year Honours, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and in 1990, she was elevated to Dame Commander (DBE) for her outstanding service to the arts. In 2014, Smith was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for her achievements in drama, becoming only the third actress to receive this honour, following in the footsteps of Dame Sybil Thorndike (1970) and Judi Dench (2005). Here is a list of her award, honours and achievements:
| Academy Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 1965 | Best Supporting Actress | Othello | Nominated | |
| 1969 | Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Won | |
| 1972 | Travels with My Aunt | Nominated | ||
| 1978 | Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Won | |
| 1986 | A Room with a View | Nominated | ||
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Nominated | ||
| BAFTA Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 1958 | Most Promising Newcomer to Film | Nowhere to Go | Nominated | |
| 1965 | Best British Actress | Young Cassidy | Nominated | |
| 1969 | Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Won | |
| 1978 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Death on the Nile | Nominated | |
| 1979 | Best Actress | California Suite | Nominated | |
| 1981 | Quartet | Nominated | ||
| 1984 | A Private Function | Won | ||
| 1986 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | A Room with a View | Won | |
| 1988 | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Won | ||
| 1993 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | The Secret Garden | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Tea with Mussolini | Won | ||
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Lady in the Van | Nominated | |
| British Academy Television Awards | ||||
| 1984 | Best Actress | All for Love: "Mrs. Silly" | Nominated | |
| 1989 | Talking Heads: "A Bed Among the Lentils" | Nominated | ||
| 1993 | Screen Two: "Memento Mori" | Nominated | ||
| 2000 | David Copperfield | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Supporting Actress | Downton Abbey | Nominated | |
| Non-Competitive Awards | ||||
| 1993 | BAFTA Special | Herself | Honoured | |
| 1996 | BAFTA Academy Fellowship | Honoured | ||
| Emmy Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | ||||
| 1993 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special | Great Performances: Suddenly, Last Summer | Nominated | |
| 2000 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie | David Copperfield | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special | My House in Umbria | Won | |
| 2010 | Capturing Mary | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie | Downton Abbey | Won | |
| 2012 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Won | ||
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Nominated | |||
| 2016 | Won | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 1963 | New Star of the Year – Actress | The V.I.P.s | Nominated | |
| 1965 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Othello | Nominated | |
| 1969 | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Nominated | ||
| 1972 | Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical | Travels with My Aunt | Nominated | |
| 1978 | California Suite | Won | ||
| 1986 | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | A Room with a View | Won | |
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film | My House in Umbria | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Downton Abbey | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Won | |||
| Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical | Quartet | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | The Lady in the Van | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 2001 | Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | Gosford Park | Won | |
| 2011 | Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie | Downton Abbey | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series | Won | |||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | Won | |
| Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series | Won | |||
| 2015 | Won | |||
| Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| Olivier Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 1981 | Actress of the Year in a New Play | Virginia | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Comedy Performance of the Year | The Way of the World | Nominated | |
| 1987 | Actress of the Year | Lettice and Lovage / Coming in to Land | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Best Comedy Performance | The Importance of Being Earnest | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Best Actress | A Delicate Balance | Nominated | |
| 2000 | The Lady in the Van | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | The Society Special | Herself | Honoured | |
| Tony Awards | ||||
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
| 1975 | Best Actress in a Play | Private Lives | Nominated | |
| 1980 | Night and Day | Nominated | ||
| 1990 | Lettice and Lovage | Won | ||
| Other Theatre awards | ||||
| Organizations | Year | Category | Work | Result |
| Drama Desk Awards | 1975 | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Private Lives | Nominated |
| Evening Standard Theatre Awards | 1962 | Best Actress | The Private Ear and The Public Eye | Won |
| 1970 | Hedda Gabler | Won | ||
| 1981 | Virginia | Won | ||
| 1984 | The Way of the World | Won | ||
| 1994 | Three Tall Women | Won | ||
| 2013 | Theatre Icon Award | Herself | Honoured | |
| 2019 | Best Actress | A German Life | Won | |
| Gershwin Theatre Awards | 1994 | American Theater Hall of Fame | Herself | Honoured |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 1975 | Best Performance | Private Lives | Won |
| 1990 | Best Actress – Play | Lettice and Lovage | Won | |
| Critics Awards | ||||
| Organizations | Year | Category | Work | Result |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Awards | 2001 | Best Acting Ensemble | Gosford Park | Won |
| 2012 | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Nominated | ||
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| Florida Film Critics Circle Awards | 2001 | Best Ensemble Cast | Gosford Park | Won |
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle | 1978 | Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Won |
| 1986 | A Room with a View | Won | ||
| 2001 | Gosford Park [dead link] | Won | ||
| London Film Critics' Circle | 2016 | Critics' Circle Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts | Herself | Honoured |
| Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards | 1970 | Best Performance | Three Sisters | Won |
| National Board of Review | 1996 | Best Acting by an Ensemble | The First Wives Club | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | 1969 | Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | 3rd Place |
| 1978 | California Suite | 4th Place | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | 3rd Place | |||
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Runner-up | ||
| New York Film Critics Circle | 1969 | Best Actress | Oh! What a Lovely War | 3rd Place |
| 1978 | Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Runner-up | |
| 1987 | Best Actress | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | 3rd Place | |
| 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Online | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Won |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| 2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Nominated | ||
| San Diego Film Critics Society | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Runner-up |
| Utah Film Critics Association | 1969 | Best Actress | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Won |
| 1972 | Travels with My Aunt | Nominated | ||
| 1986 | Best Supporting Actress | A Room with a View | Runner-up | |
| 2001 | Gosford Park | Nominated | ||
| Women Film Critics Circle Awards | 2012 | Women's Work – Best Ensemble | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Won |
| Best Comedic Actress | Won | |||
| Actors Hall of Fame Foundation Awards | 2014 | Actors Hall of Fame | Herself | Honoured |
| Alfred Toepfer Stiftung Awards | 1991 | Shakespeare Prize | Herself | Honoured |
| American Comedy Awards | 1993 | Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Sister Act | Nominated |
| American Movie Awards | 1980 | Best Supporting Actress | California Suite | Nominated |
| Avenue of Stars | 2000 | Star | Herself | Honoured |
| Bodleian Library | 2016 | Bodley Medal | Herself | Honoured |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2012 | Best Supporting Actress | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Nominated |
| Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | 2008 | Best Actress | Capturing Mary | Nominated |
| 2011 | Downton Abbey | Nominated | ||
| European Film Awards | 2002 | Jameson People's Choice Award – Best Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| 2005 | Ladies in Lavender | Nominated | ||
| Evening Standard British Film Awards | 1979 | Best Actress | California Suite | Won |
| 1981 | Quartet | Won | ||
| 1988 | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Won | ||
| 2015 | The Lady in the Van | Won | ||
| Gershwin Theatre Awards | 1994 | American Theater Hall of Fame | Herself | Honoured |
| Helpmann Awards | 2004 | Best Female Actor in a Play | Talking Heads: "A Bed Among the Lentils" | Won |
| Laurel Awards | 1966 | New Faces – Female | Herself | 11th Place |
| 1970 | Female Dramatic Performance | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | 4th Place | |
| Golden Nymph Awards | 2011 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Downton Abbey | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Nominated | |||
| Online Film & Television Association | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress | Gosford Park | Nominated |
| Best Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| 2002 | Hall of Fame | Herself | Honoured | |
| 2003 | Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | My House in Umbria | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Capturing Mary | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Downton Abbey | Won | |
| Best Ensemble in Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| Best Ensemble in Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| Online Film Critics Society | 2001 | Best Ensemble | Gosford Park | Won |
| Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |||
| People's Choice Awards | 2012 | Favorite Movie Icon | Herself | Nominated |
| 2013 | Favorite Cable TV Actress | Nominated | ||
| Royal Television Society Awards | 1989 | Best Actor – Female | Talking Heads: "A Bed Among the Lentils" | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2001 | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Gosford Park | Won |
| Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble | Won | |||
| 2003 | Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie | My House in Umbria | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie | Downton Abbey | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Won | |||
| Saturn Awards | 1981 | Best Supporting Actress | Clash of the Titans | Nominated |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | Nominated | ||
| Shakespeare Theatre Company Awards | 1999 | The Will Award | Herself | Honoured |
| Stratford Shakespeare Festival | 2012 | Legacy Award | Herself | Honoured |
| Taormina Film Fest Awards | 1985 | Golden Mask | A Private Function | Won |
| TV Guide Awards | 2012 | Favorite Actress | Downton Abbey | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| TVTimes Awards | 2011 | Best Actress | Downton Abbey | Won |
| Variety Club Drama Awards | 1963 | Best Actress | Mary, Mary | Won |
| 1972 | Private Lives | Won | ||
| 1994 | Three Tall Women | Won | ||
| Whatsonstage.com Awards | 2003 | The Planet Hollywood Theatre Event of The Year | The Breath of Life | Runner-up |
| Best Actress in a Play | Runner-up | |||
| 2008 | The Lady from Dubuque | Won | ||
| Honorary awards | ||||
| Organizations | Year | Award | Result | |
| Commander of the Order of the British Empire | 1970 | Medal | Honoured | |
| Damehood | 1990 | Medal | Honoured | |
| BFI Fellowship | 1992 | Statue | Honoured | |
| BAFTA Special Award | 1993 | Statue | Honoured | |
| BAFTA Fellowship | 1996 | Statue | Honoured | |
| Society of London Theatre Special Award | 2010 | Statue | Honoured | |
| Order of the Companions of Honour | 2014 | Medal | Honoured | |
| Honorary degrees | ||||
| University of Bath | 1986 | Doctor of Letters (DLitt) | Honoured | |
| University of Cambridge | 1994 | Doctor of Letters (DLitt) | Honoured | |
| University of St. Andrews | 1971 | Doctor of Letters (DLitt) | Honoured | |
| Mansfield College, Oxford | 2017 | Honorary Fellowship | Honoured | |
Several academic institutions also recognised Smith. In 1971, the University of St Andrews awarded her an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt), followed by similar accolades from the University of Bath in 1986 and the University of Cambridge in 1994. In October 2017, she was conferred an honorary fellowship from Mansfield College, Oxford.
ALSO READ| Who are Coldplay? Band Members, History, Achievements, and Latest Updates
ALSO READ| Who are Coldplay? Band Members, History, Achievements, and Latest Updates
ALSO READ| Who is Faiz Hameed? Ex-ISI Chief Faces Historic Court-Martial for Abuse of Power
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation