Genevieve Brooks

Staff Writer

On September 27, 2024, actress Maggie Smith died. She was 89 years old. Smith died in a London hospital, although no cause of death has been shared by her family.

Smith was well known for her acting, both on-screen and on stage. Her career began in 1952 at the Oxford Playhouse, where she acted in student-run productions. Shortly after, she debuted on Broadway in 1956. In the same year, she had her first film role, a small uncredited part in the movie Child in the House.

Smith quickly gained recognition as her career took off, and she was nominated for her first award, a BAFTA, in 1959. In 1965, Smith earned her first Academy Award nomination for her role in the adaptation of Othello. Four years later, in 1969, she would win her first Academy Award for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Smith had a long career, but she was most well known for two roles that she wouldn’t play until the last two decades of it. Many younger people know her for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. She reprised this role in all eight of the movies. She is also well known for her role as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. She acted in the British historical drama from 2010-2015, and won multiple awards for her performance. She also starred in the film continuation of the series.

Smith married twice throughout the course of her life. She had two children and five grandchildren. Smith also supported numerous charities throughout her life. She was also a patron of the Oxford Playhouse, which is the theater where she began her career.

Maggie Smith will be remembered not only for her acting talent but also for the warmth she showed to other actors. Many of her former costars, including several members of the Harry Potter cast have shared their condolences. Both King Charles and the current prime minister of the U.K. also shared their condolences.