• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actress
• Birthday:  December 28, 1934
• Date of Death:  September 27, 2024

Dame Margaret (Maggie) Natalie Smith was a British actress known for her wit in comedic roles. She had an extensive career on stage and screen over seven decades and was one of Britain's most recognizable and prolific actresses.

Maggie Smith was born Margaret Natalie Smith to Nathaniel Smith, a pathologist, and Margaret Hutton Little, a secretary from Glasgow. The youngest of three children, Maggie grew up in a nurturing household that valued education and the arts. The Smith family moved to Oxford when Maggie was a child, and it was in this historic city, renowned for its intellectual and cultural vibrancy, that her love for the stage began to bloom.

Maggie attended the Oxford High School for Girls, where her passion for acting first emerged. She participated in school productions, and her teachers noted her flair for dramatic roles early on. However, it wasn’t always an easy path. Smith faced a great deal of self-doubt about her appearance, worrying that her unconventional looks might prevent her from achieving success as an actress. But her natural talent and determination would soon prove otherwise.

After leaving school, Smith trained at the Oxford Playhouse School, where she studied under the guidance of prominent theatre directors. This foundation would become the bedrock of her later success on both stage and screen.

Smith's acting career officially began in the 1950s, with her stage debut at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952. Her early work on stage quickly earned her a reputation for being one of Britain’s brightest talents. She joined the Old Vic Company in 1959, and her performances there brought her wider recognition, particularly her role as Desdemona in "Othello," opposite Laurence Olivier.

In the 1960s and 70s, Maggie transitioned into film work, becoming a household name. Her role in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969), in which she played an eccentric and headstrong teacher, earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Over the next few decades, Smith appeared in numerous films and television series, always bringing an air of sophistication and nuance to her roles. She won her second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "California Suite" (1978). But Smith’s most recognizable role for many came later in life when she portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" series, a role that introduced her to a whole new generation of fans.

In addition to her film work, Maggie Smith never abandoned the stage. She continued to perform in notable productions in London's West End and with the Royal National Theatre. Her work in plays like "The Importance of Being Earnest" and A "Delicate Balance" were lauded by critics and audiences alike. Her television role as the indomitable Dowager Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey" garnered widespread acclaim and further solidified her status as an acting icon.

In her personal life, Maggie Smith was known for her quiet dignity and private nature. She married twice. Her first marriage was to actor Robert Stephens in 1967. Together, they had two sons, Chris Larkin (born 1967) and Toby Stephens (born 1969), both of whom followed in their parents' footsteps and became successful actors. However, the marriage with Stephens was tumultuous and eventually ended in divorce in 1975.

A year later, Smith married playwright Beverley Cross, a union that would last until his death in 1998. Their marriage was a stabilizing force in her life, and Smith often spoke fondly of Cross, crediting him with being a great source of support throughout their marriage.

Smith faced several significant health challenges in her later years. She was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 1988, a condition that affects the thyroid. In 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy while filming the "Harry Potter" series.

On September 27, 2024, Smith passed away at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London at the age of 89.

Maggie Smith's Religious Beliefs

Maggie Smith’s faith was a quiet but steady presence in her life. Raised in a Christian household, she maintained a personal connection to her faith throughout her life. Though she rarely spoke publicly about her religious beliefs, friends and family described her as someone who valued spirituality, finding strength and comfort in her Christian faith, particularly in times of personal hardship.

In her later years, Smith became more vocal about the importance of faith in her life. She credited her belief in God with giving her the strength to overcome her health struggles, and she found solace in prayer and meditation.