Maggie Smith

Date of Birth: December 28, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, known professionally as Maggie Smith, is a renowned English actress with an illustrious career spanning over six decades. Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England, she has become one of the most respected and beloved figures in theatre and film. Smith’s early career was marked by her work on the stage, particularly with the National Theatre Company. She gained international fame for her role in the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” for which she won her first Academy Award. Smith’s versatility as an actress is evident in her extensive body of work, which includes a diverse range of genres and characters. She has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. Her roles in iconic films such as “The Harry Potter” series, where she portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall, and the television series “Downton Abbey,” where she played the formidable Dowager Countess, have cemented her status as a cultural icon. In addition to her impressive screen career, Smith has continued to perform on stage, demonstrating her enduring talent and dedication to the craft of acting. Her contributions to the arts have been recognized with several honors, including being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and a Companion of Honour (CH) in 2014.

5 Interesting Facts about Maggie Smith

1. Maggie Smith has won two Academy Awards: Best Actress for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for “California Suite” (1978).

2. She has portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in all eight of the “Harry Potter” films, a role that earned her widespread recognition among younger audiences.

3. Smith has been battling Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, while continuing to work in the entertainment industry.

4. She was married to playwright Beverley Cross from 1975 until his death in 1998.

5. Maggie Smith has received honorary degrees from several prestigious institutions, including the University of St Andrews and the University of Cambridge.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Maggie Smith

1. “I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost – it’s there and then it’s gone.”

2. “There is a certain sort of acting that you can only do on stage that does involve a lot of shouting.”

3. “The performances you have in your head are always much better than the performances on stage.”

4. “I’m deeply grateful to have won two Academy Awards, but I wouldn’t wish to go through that again.”

5. “One went to school, one wanted to act, and one started to act – that’s how it all happened.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Maggie Smith is estimated to be around $18 million.

Children

Maggie Smith has two children, both of whom are actors. Her sons, Chris Larkin (born Christopher Stephens, June 19, 1967) and Toby Stephens (born April 21, 1969), have followed in her footsteps, establishing successful acting careers in their own right.