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.