Starring in “Harry Potter,” “Downton Abbey,” and several other iconic films, shows and productions, Dame Maggie Smith is a well-known acting legend. Her roles have earned her accolades from the entertainment industry and Queen Elizabeth II alike. Smith’s skills are remarkable as she is able to float from one genre to another almost as seamlessly as she acts on the stage to the big screen. On top of that, she has a huge heart as she is involved in many charitable organizations and also has a beautiful family.
Smith was born on December 28, 1934, in Essex, England. She studied acting at the Oxford Playhouse and found work when she was just a teenager. Since then, Smith has gone on to appear in over 60 films and 70 plays, receiving plenty of awards and praise along the way.
The 87-year-old actress is one of few who can boast about receiving the “Triple Crown” of acting, which comprises an Academy Award, Emmy, and Tony. In addition to entertainment awards, Smith has also been honored by the Queen, who named her a Dame in 1990 in recognition of her contributions to the arts and drama.
In her personal life, Smith has been married twice. She first married actor Robert Stephens in June 1967, and the pair had two sons together: actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. However, Smith and Stephens divorced in 1975. She later married playwright Beverley Cross that same year and was with him until his death in 1998, after 23 years of marriage. Losing her second husband was devastating for Smith, and she has since done her best to carry on his memory.
Everyone has a role in which they most likely know Dame Maggie Smith. Recent fans may well know her as Lady Violet Crawley in “Downton Abbey.” She also served in the original “Clash of Titans” film. Another one of her legendary roles is as Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Playing such iconic roles may look easy for the well-established actress, but Smith said that it’s not always easy. Back in 2016, she spoke with NPR about the pressure she feels while acting in film and television.
She explained:
“In the theater, you know, you get another chance. You can do it the next night, the next performance. You can probably get it right then. But you don’t have any real say in a film. And quite honestly, I probably drive everybody mad and go on and on and on and want to do another take and – because I never feel that it’s right. So I always feel huge pressure.”
While many fans may have first heard of Smith through her screen performances, it’s clear that the actress holds a spot in her heart for the theater. In 2019, she told The Guardian, “I am deeply grateful for the work in ‘Potter’ and indeed ‘Downton,’ but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying. I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things.”
Smith returned to the stage that same year in the one-woman play “A German Life.” However, the actress still felt insecure about her performance. “I suddenly felt twice as old as I actually was,” Smith said. “And also, when you haven’t done a show for a long time, there’s something pretty dumb about doing it totally on your own.”
A love for the theater is something that Smith shared with her second husband, playwright Beverley Cross. Cross found instant success with his first play called “One More River,” and did his best to make a star out of Smith with his second play, “Strip the Willow.” He also found success with “Half a Sixpence,” which opened in 1963 and ran in London for more than a year. Later on, Cross picked up writing screenplays and wrote scripts for movies such as “The Long Ships” and “Clash of the Titans.”
Smith and Cross married on June 23, 1975. They were together for just about 23 years until Cross’ death on March 20, 1998. He was 66 at the time.
Since then, Smith has opened up about what it was like to lose her second husband. During a 2013 interview with CBS, Smith was asked if she was lonely without Cross. She replied, “I don’t know. It seems a bit pointless… Going on one’s own and not having someone to share it with.” The actress also said she had no interest in finding someone else.
Smith was fortunate enough to have her family by her side. She has two sons – Chris and Toby – who have both become actors. She is also a proud grandmother of five. With such a successful career behind her and in the future ahead, as well as plenty of close friends and family by her side, it’s clear that Smith still feels an endless stream of love and support.
When asked what she looks forward to in the future ahead, Smith said, “I guess just to go on.”
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