Remembering Maggie Smith: A Timeless Icon of Stage and Screen
By Jamila Roxas
“There’s no such thing as an ending; just a place where you leave the story” -Maggie Smith. Murriel Donnely, The Second-Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
On September 27th, 2024, Margaret “Maggie” Smith passed away at the age of 89. Most renowned for role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise, Smith appeared in a total of 60 films and 70 television productions, alongside a significant number of stage performances as well. Smith expanded her acting career through 6 decades of witty humor, nuanced emotion and most of all… magic.
Maggie Smith began her acting career in the early 1950’s at the Oxford playhouse in the United Kingdom. It was there where she created a name for herself, starring in numerous productions, such as The Twelfth Night (1952), The Government Inspector, (1954) and the all-time classic, Cinderella (1952). Maggie Smith’s career was marked by numerous critical acclaims and several academy awards.
She received her big break starring in the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), where she played the title role of Miss Jean Brodie. It was this performance where Smith rose to stardom in the film industry, as this movie led her to her first Academy Award for “Best Actress”. Smith’s role as Miss Jean Brodie exemplified her ability to play multifaceted characters, which helped her to establish a prominent role in both British and international cinema.
Afterwards, she then went on to receive another academy award for “Best Supporting actress” for her role as Diana Barrie in California Suite (1978). Smith has won several British Academy Film awards (BAFTA), Golden Globes and a Tony award for her work in the theater. Along with that remarkable resumé of awards, Smith was also nominated for a total of 6 Academy awards, which reflected the 6 long decades she spent dedicating her life to creating these films.
Not only was Smith able to expand her acting career through 6 decades of film, but within each era, she was able to adapt and immerse herself into different genres of entertainment. Whether it was a musical comedy like the Sister Act (1992-93), or a fantasy drama like Harry Potter (2001-2011), Smith showcased her versatile talent through the many different characters and genres she was able to portray.
Maggie Smith’s portrayal of Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter brought a sense of stern, yet gentle element to her acting style. She had this sense of conveying warmth and discipline towards the characters, which added an extra layer of emotional depth towards her character and the overall magical world of Hogwarts.
On the contrary, Smith then took on a different role several years later on television show, Downton Abbey (2010-15). Starring as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Smith's portrayal of this witty matriarch showcased her character's tenderness and elegance in a more serious role.
Considering all of this, what made Smith such a remarkable and illustrious actress was her longevity. Oftentimes, we see actors and actresses have a couple of breakthrough films, and then fade away from the spotlight. Smith however, stayed consistent and open to the several roles she had portrayed throughout her lifetime. Becoming a household name to many, Smith will always be remembered as a timeless icon.
Maggie Smith's films will forever be remembered and will continue to captivate and inspire all generations to come.