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Maggie Smith

Birth Place: Ilford, Essex, ENGLAND

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BIO

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith CH DBE (28 December 1934 – 27 September 2024) was a British actress known for her wit in both comedic and dramatic roles. She had an extensive career on stage and screen for over seven decades and was one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actresses. She received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for six Olivier Awards. Smith is one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting.



Smith began her stage career as a student, performing at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952, and made her professional debut on Broadway in New Faces of '56. Over the following decades Smith established herself alongside Judi Dench as one of the most significant British theatre performers, working for the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. On Broadway, she received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Lettice and Lovage (1990). She was Tony-nominated for Noël Coward's Private Lives (1975) and Tom Stoppard's Night and Day (1979).

Smith won Academy Awards for Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978). She was Oscar-nominated for Othello (1965), Travels with My Aunt (1972), A Room with a View (1985) and Gosford Park (2001). She portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011). She also acted in Death on the Nile (1978), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), The Secret Garden (1993), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), Quartet (2012) and The Lady in the Van (2015).

Smith received newfound attention and international fame for her role as Violet Crawley in the British period drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015). The role earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards; she had previously won one for the HBO film My House in Umbria (2003). Over the course of her career she was the recipient of numerous honorary awards, including the British Film Institute Fellowship in 1993, the BAFTA Fellowship in 1996 and the Society of London Theatre Special Award in 2010. Smith was made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
London Production at Bridge Theatre, 2019
Brunhilde Pomsel

[Broadway]
1990
Lettice Douffet

[Broadway]
1979
Ruth Carson

[Broadway]
1975
Amanda Prynne

[West End]
Original London Production, 1957
Performer

[Broadway]
1956
France

Harem Houris

Harriet

Introduction to "A Canful of Trash"

Introduction to "The Broken Kimona"

Introduction to "The Pioneer"

Performer

Miss Orange

Nurse

Pura

Steffany

Tourist

Woman


Awards and Nominations


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2013 - Theatre Icon Award

Maggie Smith

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Actress

Maggie SmithThe Lady In The Van

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Actress

Maggie SmithA Delicate Balance


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1994 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie Smith Three Tall Women

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Comedy Performance

Maggie SmithThe Importance Of Being Earnest


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Actress - Play

Maggie SmithLettice & Lovage


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Actress - Play

Maggie Smith, Lettice and Lovage


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Maggie Smith, Lettice and Lovage

Olivier Awards - 1987 - Actress of the Year

Maggie SmithLettice And Lovage

Olivier Awards - 1985 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Maggie SmithThe Way Of The World


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1984 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie SmithThe Way of the World


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1981 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie SmithVirginia

Olivier Awards - 1981 - Actress of the Year in a New Play

Maggie SmithVirginia

Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Maggie Smith, Night and Day

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Maggie Smith, Private Lives


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1975 - Best Performance

Maggie Smith, Private Lives

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Maggie Smith , Private Lives


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1970 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie SmithHedda Gabler


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie SmithThe Private Ear


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Maggie SmithThe Public Eye

Videos

News


HARRY POTTER: THE EXHIBITION Extends and Adds Two New Costumes On Display

Harry Potter: The Exhibition's Boston run has been extended at CambridgeSide. The exhibition will now close in April 2025. Learn more about the new costumes on display here!
Review: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at 4th Wall Theatre Company

I feel like this company, at this point in time, is simply happy to be here doing this show, and I can say the feeling is infectious. It’s not your typical holiday offering, but you can never be wrong with the wit of Christopher Durang and the magic of invoking the spirit of Maggie Smith. I’m thankful this season for companies like 4th WALL, which produce plays that offer the joy of what theater is all about.
Review Roundup: DEATH BECOMES HER Opens On Broadway Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard

DEATH BECOMES HER comes to life on Broadway tonight as it celebrates its opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a production starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams. Did the critics fall under the spell of Broadway's most glamourous new musical? Find out below!
Video: SISTER ACT 2 Cast Performs for Whoopi Goldberg Birthday Tribute

Following the Sister Act 2 30th anniversary reunion on The View earlier this year, the original cast has once again reunited to pay tribute to Whoopi Goldberg on her birthday. The cast joined forces to sing 'To Her & Sir With Love'. Watch the video now!
Broadway League Steps Back from Light-Dimming Announcements Following Backlash

The Broadway League will no longer be involved in announcing the traditional dimming of marquee lights that honors the memories of deceased performers, writers, and other influential figures in the Broadway community.
Every Broadway Theatre to Dim Lights in Memory of Dame Maggie Smith Next Week

Every Broadway theatre will dim its lights in Maggie Smith's honor. An iconic performer cherished by theatregoers and admired by colleagues around the world, Smith passed away on September 27, 2024, at the age of 89.  
Review: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Antaeus Theatre Company

The Antaeus Theatre Company pulls off another triumph with the enchanting and handsomely mounted Oscar Wilde classic.
NEWSREVUE Returns For A Run At Canal Café Theatre

The Guinness World Record- breaking, longest- running, live comedy show on the planet, continues to delight and provide a welcome outlet to audiences at its home in Little Venice with a cast change every 6 weeks throughout the year.   
Joel Harper-Jackson and Sierra Boggess Will Headline I AM HARVEY MILK at Cadogan Hall

I AM HARVEY MILK, based on the life of American LGBTQ+ activist, will see the West End’s Joel Harper-Jackson and Broadway’s Sierra Boggess lead a 50 strong choir and 26-piece orchestra for two special performances of Andrew Lippa’s oratorio at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 27 October 2024. 
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 10, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 
Lights of All Broadway Theatres to be Dimmed for Gavin Creel, Adrian Bailey & Maggie Smith

After a public petition and outcry to dim all the lights of Broadway for some recent passings of stage legelends. All Broadway theatres in New York will dim their lights in honor of Adrian Bailey, Gavin Creel, and Maggie Smith.
Video: Dame Maggie Smith Discusses Career with Kathleen Turner in Final Recorded Interview

Watch a conversation between Maggie Smith, Kathleen Turner, and host Gyles Brandreth, recorded in April of 2021, which is believed to be Smith's final recorded interview. The pair discussed their stage and film work.
Petition Launched to Dim the Lights of All Broadway Theatres to Honor Gavin Creel

A petition has been launched calling for the lights of every Broadway theater to be dimmed in honor of Tony and Olivier award winning performer Gavin creel, who passed away this week. Learn more about the petition.
Broadway Theatre Lights Will Partially Dim in Memory of Gavin Creel

To honor the memory of beloved Broadway actor Gavin Creel, Broadway theatres will dim their lights. Learn more about the life and career of Creel.
Video: West End Theatre Lights Dim for Maggie Smith

Following the sad news of the passing of legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith, West End theatres dimmed their lights for 2 minutes in her memory. Watch in this video.
Mirvish Productions to Dim the Marquee Lights of The Royal Alexandra Theatre to Honor Maggie Smith

The marquee lights of The Royal Alexandra Theatre will be dimmed on Tuesday, October 1 to honour Dame Maggie Smith, one of the greatest actors of her generation, who died at the age of 89 in London today. Learn more about Smith's life and career.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 30, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  September 30, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Maggie Smith Remembered By Whoopi Goldberg, HARRY POTTER Stars & More

Following the passing of Dame Maggie Smith, tributes from former co-stars and fans have begun to pour in. The tributes include Whoopi Goldberg, Marc Shaiman, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, and more.
West End Theatres to Dim Their Lights in Memory of Dame Maggie Smith

Following the sad news of the passing of legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith, West End theatres will dim their lights for 2 minutes at 7pm on Tuesday 1 October, in her memory. Learn more about the life and career of Maggie Smith.
Video: Remembering Dame Maggie Smith Onstage

We celebrate Dame Maggie Smith's life and legacy by revisiting some of her greatest work onstage, from videos of her countless performances in the works of Shakespeare, to her work on the West End, Broadway, and more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Maggie Smith been in?

Maggie Smith has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Maggie Smith been in?

Maggie Smith has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Maggie Smith's first West End show?

Maggie Smith's first West End show was Share My Lettuce which opened in 1957

What awards has Maggie Smith been nominated for?

Theatre Icon Award (Evening Standard Awards) for , Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for The Lady In The Van, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for A Delicate Balance , Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for Three Tall Women, Best Comedy Performance (Olivier Awards) for The Importance Of Being Earnest, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lettice & Lovage , Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lettice and Lovage, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Lettice and Lovage, Actress of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Lettice And Lovage, Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for The Way Of The World, Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for The Way of the World, Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for Virginia, Actress of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Virginia, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Night and Day, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Private Lives, Best Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Private Lives, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Private Lives, Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for Hedda Gabler, Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for The Private Ear and Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for The Public Eye.

What awards has Maggie Smith won?

Maggie Smith has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Theatre Icon Award at the Evening Standard Awards. She received the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for her performance in Three Tall Women, and she won Best Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Lettice & Lovage. Additionally, she won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Lettice & Lovage. Smith has also been honored with the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for her roles in The Way of the World, Virginia, and Hedda Gabler. Furthermore, she won Best Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Private Lives and received the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for both The Private Ear and The Public Eye.

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