Maggie Smith in “Hot Millions”. Photo: Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
Dame Maggie Smith’s career on stage, film and TV spanned seven decades.
The actress, who died on Sept. 27, 2024 at the age of 89, made her stage debut in 1952 and for the decades to come had an expansive acting career that won her numerous awards including two Oscars and a Tony. She was incredibly versatile, playing everything from Shakespeare to biting comedy and British aristocracy to quirky Southern belles.
From one of her first film roles in 1958’s Nowhere to Go to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, take a look back at some of Smith’s most memorable roles from her remarkable career.
‘Nowhere to Go,’ 1958
Maggie Smith and George Nader.Hulton Archive/Getty
In her first credited screen role, per IMDB, Smith starred opposite George Nadar in 1958’s “Nowhere to Go.”
‘Othello,’ 1965
Maggie Smith and Lawrence Olivier.LMPC via Getty
Following her 1964 performance as Desdemona in Shakespeare’s Othello opposite Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre, the two reprised their roles in the 1965 film adaptation which earned them both an Oscar nomination.
‘Hot Millions,’ 1968
Maggie Smith.Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
In 1968 she stepped into the role of Patty Terwilliger Smith in Hot Millions alongside Peter Ustinov and Karl Malden.
‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,’ 1969
Maggie Smith.Alamy
The following year she appeared alongside her then-husband Robert Stephens in a role that would win her her first Oscar.
‘Travels with my Aunt,’ 1972
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty
In 1972, she earned yet another Academy Award nomination for her work in Travels with my Aunt with Louis Gossett Jr.
‘California Suite,’ 1978
Mondadori via Getty
In 1979, Smith walked away a winner once again for her performance in California Suite which featured fellow Hollywood heavy hitters like Jane Fonda and Alan Alda.
‘Evil Under The Sun,’ 1982
Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith.Moviestore/Shutterstock
In the screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, Smith starred as Daphne Castle in the 1982 film.
‘Hook,’ 1991
Maggie Smith.Alamy
For 1991’s cult-favorite retelling of the Peter Pan story, Hook, Smith portrayed Granny Wendy in the movie starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts.
‘Sister Act,’ 1992
Maggie Smith and Whoopi Goldberg.Moviestore/Shutterstock
Smith also stepped into her fair share of comedic roles during her career including both Sister Act and its sequel Sister Act II: Back in the Habit (1993).
‘The Secret Garden,’ 1993
Maggie Smith.Warner Bros. Pictures/Getty
The classic children’s book of the same name came alive in the 1993 film which sees Smith portraying Mrs. Medlock.
‘The First Wives Club,’ 1996
Maggie Smith.Moviestore/Shutterstock
Another iconic comedic film Smith to which Smith lent her acting talents is 1996’s The First Wives Club which stars Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. She plays the grand doyenne of all the first wives, who helps the trio sabotage their ex-husbands.
‘Gosford Park,’ 2001
Kelly Macdonald and Maggie Smith in ‘Gosford Park’.Mark Tillie/Usa/Capitol/Film Council/Kobal/Shutterstock
Smith’s 2001 role in Gosford Park earned her an Academy Award and cemented her status as the star to play elegant British aristocrats in period pieces.
‘Harry Potter,’ 2001-2011
Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe.Warner Bros/Everett
One of Smith’s most memorable roles — especially for younger audiences — was her longstanding tenure as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise.
‘Downton Abbey,’ 2010-2015
Maggie Smith.Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection
In addition to her expansive work on film and on stage, Smith also took a turn on TV on a few occasions including on Downton Abbey from 2010-2015. She also reprised her role of Violet Grantham in the 2019 and 2022 films.
‘Tea with the Dames’, 2018
In 2018, she appeared as herself alongside other British actresses who had earned the Dame title (Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright) for reminiscing about their careers and some lighthearted teasing.
Smith continued working on films into her 80s, with her last credit coming in 2023’s The Miracle Club.