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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
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In her first credited screen role, per IMDB, Smith starred opposite George Nadar in 1958’s “Nowhere to Go.”
‘Othello,’ 1965
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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
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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
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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
In 1972, she earned yet another Academy Award nomination for her work in Travels with my Aunt with Louis Gossett Jr.
‘California Suite,’ 1978
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
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In the screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, Smith starred as Daphne Castle in the 1982 film.
‘Hook,’ 1991
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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