She earned an extraordinary array of awards, from Oscars to Emmys to Tonys, but could still go almost everywhere unrecognized. Then came “Downton Abbey” and “Harry Potter”
Headlines News Hub (HNH) — Maggie Smith, one of Britain's most celebrated stage and screen actresses, passed away on Friday in London at the age of 89. Known for her remarkable range, her roles spanned from the unconventional Scottish teacher in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" to the sharp-witted Dowager Countess in "Downton Abbey."
Her family confirmed her passing in a statement shared by a publicist, without specifying the cause of death.
Ms. Smith was relatively unknown to American audiences when she took on the role of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969. The film, set in a 1930s girls' school, showcased her portrayal of a teacher with progressive views and a complicated personal life. Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised her performance as a masterful blend of emotions and expressions, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
She secured her second Oscar as Best Supporting Actress in the 1978 film "California Suite," adapted from Neil Simon’s play. In it, she portrayed a British actress attending the Oscars with her husband, played by Michael Caine. The story captured a night filled with both comedic disappointment and tender moments.
Ms. Smith's accolades began accumulating in the 1950s, with her first Evening Standard Award at just 20 years old. Over the decades, she amassed a remarkable collection of honors, including two Oscars, two Tony Awards, two Golden Globes, and multiple Baftas, alongside numerous nominations. Despite her achievements, she often went unrecognized in public.
That changed with her iconic role in “Downton Abbey,” which brought her to the forefront of international fame.
Related Queries:
maggie smith, dame maggie smith, professor mcgonagall, mcgonagall, maggie smith harry potter, harry potter, toby stephens, maggie smith movies and tv shows, downton abbey, professor mcgonagall actress, maggie smith cause of death, minerva mcgonagall, maggie smith death, chris larkin, maggie.smith, the prime of miss jean brodie, maggie smith died, how did maggie smith die, mcgonagall actor, dame maggie, maggie, dame maggie smith harry potter, maggie smith dead, did maggie smith pass away, hagrid actor, harry potter movies, maggie smith professor minerva mcgonagall, dame.maggie smith, maggie smith dies, maggie smith net worth, dame, harry potter professor mcgonagall, professor.mcgonagall, professor mcgonagall actor, dowager countess, harry potter actors that have died, maggie smith mcgonagall, harry potter maggie smith, violet crawley, dame smith, did maggie smith die, judy dench, actress maggie smith, who did maggie smith play in harry potter, harry potter mcgonagall, maggie smith actress, when did maggie smith die, mcgonagall harry potter, professor minerva mcgonagall, cnn live, channel 7 news, associated press,