The legendary actress Maggie Smith passed away peacefully in a hospital on Friday, September 27th, at the age of 89 years old. Although the exact cause of her death is unknown at the time, her passing has impacted many, including her two sons and four grandchildren. The impact she left on the world, through both her acting and good nature, is unforgettable.
Maggie Smith was born on December 28, 1934 to Margaret and Nathanial Smith in Ilford, England. A few years later, when Maggie was only four years old, her family decided to move to Oxford for a position offered to her father.
Growing up, she attended an all-girls school until 16 years old, when she left to attend a playhouse school from 1951 to 1953. Her first time on stage was in 1952, when she played violin for the production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Maggie Smith made her quick debut on Broadway shortly after, acting in the comedy New Faces of 1956.
Following her short career on Broadway, she quickly found her interest for acting in movies but found herself back on stage after a difficult time in the industry. Maggie acted in Othello and other classical dramas in the National Theater of Great Britain during the 1960s.
But nothing could keep her away from her true purpose in the acting setting, which led her to even more fame and fortune as she took on many inspiring roles. Smith captured many lead roles throughout the years, which led her to win two Academy awards: an Oscar for Best Actress in 1970 and another for Best Supporting Actress in 1978. She also received many British Academy Film Awards, a Variety Club Award in 1972 and a Tony in 1990.
In 2001, Smith landed arguably one of her most iconic roles playing Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Due to the impact of the movie, Smith reprised her role for six of the seven Harry Potter sequels.
Senora Bailey, a Spanish teacher at Morris Hills, said, “Maggie Smith was the perfect Professor McGonagall. She was brilliant, strict, strong, but warm… At first she seems intimidating, but in reality, she has a heart of gold.”
Harry Potter impacted Senora Bailey’s life and journey to become a teacher. “I read the full series in Spanish when I was still practicing my language skills and have watched the movies countless times,” she said. “I will always admire Professor McGonagall and look up to her as an inspiration for teaching. I love her dry, sarcastic, clever remarks but most importantly, love how much she truly cares about her students.”
Senora Bailey still represents the impact Harry Potter has had on her life through her classroom point system. Each of her classes are assigned a house (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin) and earn points based on their participation in class, good behavior, and willingness to learn the language. It’s a fun way to keep all students engaged while keeping in touch with her past.
Although Maggie Smith adored acting, she also was a family-centered individual. She first married Robert Stephens in 1967, but after 7 years of marriage they got a divorce. Robert and Maggie had two children together, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, who both continue to carry on their mother’s legacy through acting.
Smith decided to remarry in 1975, but sadly her husband, Beverley Cross, passed away of cancer in 1998. For her true dedication and perseverance, Maggie Smith was made a Dame of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990. This particular honor was bestowed upon Maggie for her many contributions in the acting industry.
Unfortunately, in 2008 Maggie Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite this, Maggie braved through chemotherapy and came out stronger, still being able to film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Maggie Smith herself, reminds all of her followers to, “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes”. In other words, even during difficult times, it is important to be true to yourself, which is the same legacy Maggie Smith lived through and leaves for everyone else to acknowledge.