Maggie Smith

2024 - 9 - 27

From Hogwarts to Downton: Remembering the Unforgettable Maggie Smith

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Beloved actress Dame Maggie Smith passed away at 89, leaving behind a magical legacy in film and theater. Join us in celebrating her enchanting journey!

Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress celebrated for her unforgettable roles in both film and theatre, has passed away at the age of 89, leaving a legacy that has touched the hearts of millions. Known to many for her sharply witty portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise and the equally unforgettable Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in "Downton Abbey," Maggie's career was marked by her incredible range, whether she was playing wistful ingenues or formidable matriarchs. Her performances were not just acting; they were masterclasses in character development, brought to life through her razor-sharp dialogue and commanding presence.

With a career spanning over six decades, Dame Maggie's accolades include two Academy Awards, an impressive collection of Emmys, and numerous Tony Awards. She achieved international fame in the late 1960s with her role in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," but it was her turn as the matriarchs in the 21st century that introduced her to a whole new generation of fans. Often celebrated for her extravagant wit and unyielding spirit, she perfectly embodied the strength and depth that her characters required, giving audiences both laughter and catharsis.

Her performance in "Downton Abbey" was particularly poignant, where she navigated the complexities of aristocracy with an effortless blend of humor and poignancy. Many viewers found themselves enamored with Smith’s portrayal of the Dowager Countess, who often delivered sharp-tongued quips that reveled in the wit of nobility while revealing the warmth buried beneath her imperious facade. Who could forget her parting shot, "Don't be a fool!" which perfectly captured the essence of her character? Or her beautiful commitment to portraying complex emotional truths in both comedic and dramatic situations?

While the world mourns the loss of this extraordinary talent, it’s worth reflecting on the fact that Maggie Smith continued to work actively, defying age-related stereotypes, up until her 80s! Beyond her illustrious career, she was also known for her down-to-earth nature, often evading the limelight that accompanies celebrity, proving that stardom isn't just about being in the public eye, but about making a lasting impact through genuine artistry. Her incredible generosity off-screen and work ethic will continue to inspire many younger actors and film enthusiasts for years to come.

In a tribute to her remarkable life, it's interesting to note that Dame Maggie Smith didn't just conquer the stage and screen; she also dabbled in a small number of radio productions and even lent her voice to BBC Radio 4 dramas, delighting audiences with her unmistakable tones. Furthermore, Smith's filmography showcases an impressive versatility - from Shakespearean classics to contemporary comedies, her resume is a testament to her electric talent and unyielding passion for her craft. Although she may have departed this world, the magic of Dame Maggie Smith will live on through her undeniable contributions to the arts!

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Dame Maggie Smith: Harry Potter and Downton Abbey actress dies ... (BBC News)

Actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, her family has said. A legend of British stage and ...

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Image courtesy of "Boise State Public Radio"

Sharp tongued, indomitable, and beloved actress Dame Maggie ... (Boise State Public Radio)

Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress Maggie Smith played everything from wistful ingenues in Shakespeare to Harry Potter's Prof. McGonagall and the Dowager ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Dame Maggie Smith, venerable British actress, dies at 89 (ABC News)

Maggie Smith, a lauded British actress who starred in "Harry Potter" and "Downton Abbey" has died at the age of 89.

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

Maggie Smith Dead: 'Harry Potter' and 'Downton Abbey' Actor Was 89 (Variety)

Iconic British actress Maggie Smith — known globally for her roles in 'Harry Potter' and 'Downton Abbey' — has died at the age of 89.

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Image courtesy of "Hollywood Reporter"

Maggie Smith, Two-Time Oscar Winner and 'Downton Abbey' Star ... (Hollywood Reporter)

Since breaking out in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,' the legendary British actress distinguished herself in comedies as well as dramas during her ...

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Maggie Smith, star of stage, film and 'Downton Abbey,' dies at 89 (PBS NewsHour)

Maggie Smith, the masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar in 1969 and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Maggie Smith, Grande Dame of Stage and Screen, Dies at 89 (The New York Times)

She earned an extraordinary array of awards, from Oscars to Emmys to Tonys, but could still go almost everywhere unrecognized. Then came “Downton Abbey.”

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Sharp tongued, indomitable, and beloved actress Dame Maggie ... (NPR)

Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress Maggie Smith played everything from wistful ingenues in Shakespeare to Harry Potter's Prof. McGonagall and the Dowager ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Maggie Smith, acting legend of 'Harry Potter' and 'Downton Abbey ... (NBC News)

Maggie Smith, the stern Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" movie franchise and the tart-tongued Dowager Countess on "Downton Abbey," has died, ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Stream Maggie Smith's Greatest Performances (The New York Times)

In “Downton Abbey,” “A Room With a View” and dozens of other films and television series, she delighted audiences with her portrayal of sharp, tart-tongued ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Maggie Smith, querida estrella de 'Harry Potter' y 'Downton Abbey ... (CNN)

Maggie Smith, una de las actrices británicas más conocidas cuya larga carrera abarcó desde protagonizar junto a Laurence Olivier en “Otelo” en el teatro y ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC Mundo"

Muere Maggie Smith, la consagrada actriz británica célebre por sus ... (BBC Mundo)

Ganó dos Oscar y protagonizó las películas de Harry Potter y la serie Downton Abbey.

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Image courtesy of "New York Times en Español"

Muere Maggie Smith, la gran dama del cine y la tv, a los 89 años (New York Times en Español)

Pasaba casi siempre desapercibida a pesar de ser galardonada con una extraordinaria cantidad de premios, incluidos los Oscar, Emmy y los Tony.

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Image courtesy of "WABC-TV"

Actress Maggie Smith, known for 'Harry Potter,' 'Downton Abbey ... (WABC-TV)

Actress Maggie Smith, known for Professor McGonagall in "Harry Potter" and "Downton Abbey," has died.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning star of stage and screen, dies aged 89 (The Guardian)

In a career that began in the 1950s, her roles ranged from Desdemona to Miss Jean Brodie, Virginia Woolf and Minerva McGonagall.

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Image courtesy of "KRMG"

'Downton Abbey,' 'Harry Potter' actress Maggie Smith dies (KRMG)

The actress who brought Professor Minerva McGonagall to life has died.

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Image courtesy of "WPLG Local 10"

Maggie Smith, actriz de Harry Potter y 'Downton Abbey', muere a los ... (WPLG Local 10)

Maggie Smith, la magistral actriz que ganó un Oscar por la película de 1969 “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (“Los mejores años de Miss Brodie”) y consiguió ...

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Image courtesy of "PBS"

Remembering Actress Dame Maggie Smith (PBS)

Learn about the extraordinary career and life of the celebrated stage, film, and television actress and beloved Downton Abbey star.

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Image courtesy of "Wilmington News Journal, OH"

Maggie Smith, scene-stealing actor famed for Harry Potter and ... (Wilmington News Journal, OH)

FILE - British actress Dame Maggie Smith poses in London on Dec. 16, 2015. Smith, who won an Oscar for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and won new ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Maggie Smith: A Life in Pictures (The New York Times)

She had a long, award-winning career as a screen and stage actress, finally becoming a household name with her memorable turn in “Downton Abbey.”

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Image courtesy of "Today.com"

Maggie Smith Health: Breast Cancer, Graves' Disease And Glaucoma (Today.com)

The late Maggie Smith was candid about her health throughout her six-decade career. Ahead, discover everything she's shared about her diagnoses and ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Watch some of Maggie Smith's best moments | CNN (CNN)

Dame Maggie Smith appeared in over 50 films and was one of Britain's best-known actresses.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Maggie Smith Was Imperious in the Most Delightful Way (The New York Times)

Throughout her career and on “Downton Abbey,” she perfected the role of the commanding Englishwoman with an arrow-sharp wit.

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Image courtesy of "CrimeReads"

A Requiem for Maggie Smith (CrimeReads)

Dame Maggie Smith, the consummate English actress who immortalized such characters as Jean Brodie (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie), Diana Barrie (California ...

Academy Award-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith dies at 89 (Yellowstone Public Radio)

Smith's seven-decade stage and screen career included many beloved roles, from "Harry Potter" Professor Minerva McGonagall, to Dowager Countess Violet ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Acclaimed British actor Maggie Smith dies aged 89 (Reuters)

Britain's Maggie Smith, one of the most acclaimed actors of her generation with a career ranging from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Dame Maggie Smith, "Harry Potter" and "Downton Abbey" actress ... (CBS News)

British actress Dame Maggie Smith had an extensive career in theater and movies, gaining international acclaim in later roles in "Harry Potter" and "Downton ...

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

Maggie Smith Tribute: Her Biting Wit Improved With Age (Variety)

Maggie Smith's trademark biting wit laced with sarcasm and vinegar both deepened and mellowed with age in roles like 'Downton Abbey.'

Academy Award-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith dies at 89 (WNIJ and WNIU)

Smith's seven-decade stage and screen career included many beloved roles, from "Harry Potter" Professor Minerva McGonagall, to Dowager Countess Violet ...

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Image courtesy of "WTOC"

Actress Maggie Smith, Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' star, has ... (WTOC)

Maggie Smith, who won ...

Maggie Smith, querida estrella de 'Harry Potter' y 'Downton Abbey ... (WTOP)

(CNN) — Maggie Smith, una de las actrices británicas más conocidas cuya larga carrera abarcó desde protagonizar junto a Laurence Olivier en "Otelo"

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Image courtesy of "WSFA"

Actress Maggie Smith, Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' star, has ... (WSFA)

Maggie Smith, who won ...

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Image courtesy of "Public Radio Tulsa"

Opinion: Remembering the marvel, Maggie Smith (Public Radio Tulsa)

Jean Brodie, Minerva McGonagall, Violet Crawley: Maggie Smith embodied these memorable roles on stage and screen. NPR's Scott Simon has a remembrance of the ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Maggie Smith's Influence Can Be Found in This Take on a Pre ... (The New York Times)

In 2011, a New York bartender paid tribute to the actor with a sly tweak to a pre-Prohibition cocktail.

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

Remembering Maggie Smith: A Generation's Beloved and Terrifying ... (Rolling Stone)

Millennials best knew and loved Maggie Smith for the sharp-witted characters she played in Harry Potter films, Hook, and Downton Abbey.

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Image courtesy of "WLOX"

Actress Maggie Smith, Harry Potter and 'Downton Abbey' star, has ... (WLOX)

Maggie Smith, who won ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

On 'Downton Abbey,' Maggie Smith Made an Icy Aristocrat Irresistible (The New York Times)

The hit melodrama brought Smith the kind of fame she never wanted, but it is easy to understand why it happened.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Opinion: Remembering the marvel, Maggie Smith (NPR)

Jean Brodie, Minerva McGonagall, Violet Crawley: Maggie Smith embodied these memorable roles on stage and screen. NPR's Scott Simon has a remembrance of the ...

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Image courtesy of "Jacobin magazine"

An Appreciation of Maggie Smith (Jacobin magazine)

Beloved actor Maggie Smith died yesterday at 89. To understand her brilliance, look no further than her complex performance in the 1969 film The Prime of ...

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