Maggie Smith-Professional Actress well-known for her roles in The Primetime of Miss Jean Brodie, California Suite and the Harry Potter Film Series

Who is Maggie Smith?

Maggie Smith is an English actress. She is famous for her role in the films “The Primetime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “California Suite”. Smith is also renowned for her role in the famous Harry Potter film series as Professor Minerva McGonagall. She has made appearances in more than fifty films in her extensive career spanning over six decades. Smith became a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II as a prominent figure in British culture for her contribution to performing arts. Eventually, in 2014, she also received the Companion of Honor from the queen for her contribution to drama.

Bio

Smith was born on 28 December 1934, with the name Maggie Smith in Ilford, Essex, England, United Kingdom. She is currently 85 years old. She is a daughter to mother, Margaret Hutton who was a Scottish secretary from Glasgow and to father, Nathaniel Smith. He was a public health pathologist from Newcastle upon Tyne and also worked at the University of Oxford. During her childhood, Smith’s parents told her the romantic story of how they had met on the train from Glasgow to London via Newcastle. She had older twin brothers, Alistair and Ian.

Early Life

Smith studied at Oxford High School until the age of sixteen. She studied at the Oxford Playhouse School later from 1951 to 1953. Maggie made her professional debut in a production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in 1952. She also made her film debut in a film “Child in the House,” playing the unaccredited role in 1956.

Career

In 1958, Smith played the first notable role on the big screen in the British crime film “Nowhere to Go.” She appeared in films such as “Go to Blazes” in 1962, “The Pumpkin Eater” in 1964, “Othello” in 1965 and “Hot Millions” in 1968. She played the titular lead role in the drama film, “The Prime of Jean Brodie” based on the novel of the same name. She also appeared in the movie such as “Travels with My Aunt” in 1972, “Private Lines” in 1975,” Night and Day” in 1975, “Death on the Nile” in 1978 and a comedy film “California Suite” in 1979.

1980-2000

Smith’s next important work was the fantasy film “Clash of the Titans” where she was seen in one of the leading roles in 1981. Eventually, in 1984, she was seen in the comedy film “A Private Function”. In the same decade, she was also seen in “A Room with a View” in 1985, “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearn” in 1987 and also “Lettice and Lovage” in 1990. Her work in the 1990s include “Hook” in 1991, “The Secret Garden” in 1993, “Richard III” in 1995 and “Curtain Call” in 1999 and also “Tea with Mussolini”

2001-Present

In 2001, Smith’s popularity reached newer heights, after her portrayal of witchcraft teacher Minerva McGonagall in the film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which was adapted from JK Rowling’s book of the same name. She appeared alongside cast Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Bonnie Wright and others. Eventually, in the same year, she also played a supporting role in the British mystery film “Gosford Park”. In the following year, she appeared in the movie “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”. Eventually, she also reprised her role of Minerva McGonagall in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”

In 2003, she played in the film “My House in Umbria”. In the next year, she again reprised her role in the movie “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and also appeared in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” the fourth film of the Harry Potter series in 2005. Smith also reprised her role of McGonagall in three more films of the movie series: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in 2007, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” in 2009 and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part II” in 2011.

Smith also appeared in the films including “Becoming Jane” in 2007, “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang” in 2010, “Gnomeo and Juliet” in 2011, “My Old Lady” in 2014  and “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” in 2015. From 2010 to 2015, she played an essential role in the TV series “Downton Abbey”. She also voiced a role in the animated comedy film, “Sherlock Gnomes.”

Personal Life

Smith married to actor, Robert Stephens on 29 June 1967 and has two sons, Chris Larkin who was born in 1967 and Toby Stephen who was born in 1969. But the couple cut off their marriage on 6 April 1975. She again married to playwright Beverley Cross on 23 June 1975 at the Guildford Register Office. The coupled remained in the union until his death on 20 March 1998.

Awards

Smith is one of the only six actresses to have won the Oscar in both the “Best Actress” and “Best Supporting Actress” category. She also won four Emmy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globes and one Tony Awards.

Nationality and Physical Statistics

Smith is British by nationality and belongs to the white race.

Besides that, Smith stands at the height of 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) and weighing about 55 kg (121 lbs) with the body measurement of 32-24-34.  Additionally, her hair colour is light brown, and her eye colour is blue.

Maggie Smith Net Worth

Smith is living a luxurious life because of her career and acting skills. Maggie currently has about $18 million approximately.