Friday, September 27, 2024 (15:46)
Maggie Smith, one of the most outstanding British actresses, known for her Shakespearean roles and winner of two Oscars, has died – reports the BBC. She played with Robert Altman, Agnieszka Holland, and recently her role as professor was also appreciated. McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. She was 89 years old.
Maggie Smith died at the age of 89 / Paul Treadway /PAP/Photoshot
Margaret Natalie Smith was born on December 28, 1934 in Ilford.
She graduated from Oxford High School, began her career playing at the Oxford Playhouse, and made her screen debut in 1956. In 1960, she joined the Royal National Theater, where she played Desdemona in “Othello”, accompanied by Laurence Olivier. She repeated this role in “Othello”, filmed in 1965. The actress then received her first Oscar nomination.
She received her first statuette for her role as a teacher in “Miss Brodie’s Full Life”. She received her second statuette nine years later for her supporting role in “California Suite.”
In 1992, she created the role of Mother Superior in the comedy “The Nun in Disguise”. In 1999, she starred in the TV movie “Tea with Mussolini”, where Olivier’s widow Joan Plowright also played.
Maggie Smith appeared in two films by Agnieszka Holland – “The Secret Garden” (1994) and “Washington Square” (1997). In 2001, Smith appeared in the British crime film “Gosford Park”, directed by Robert Altman. The role earned her a sixth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. At the beginning of the 21st century, she gained popularity due to her role as prof. McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011) and Violet Crawley in the Downton Abbey series (2010–2015).
In addition to six nominations and two Academy Awards wins, she also received a Tony Award, four Primetime Emmy Awards, five British Academy Film Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. She also received, among others: Order of the British Empire in 1990 and honorary knighthood Dame.
