Maggie Smith's Most Iconic Roles, from Sexy '60s Dramas to the Funniest Films of the '90s (and Of Course,Harry Potter)

Mar. 15, 2025

Maggie Smith in “Hot Millions”.Photo:Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

The actress,who died on Sept. 27, 2024 at the age of 89, made her stage debut in 1952 and for the decades to come had an expansive acting career that won her numerous awards including two Oscars and a Tony. She was incredibly versatile, playing everything from Shakespeare to biting comedy and British aristocracy to quirky Southern belles.

From one of her first film roles in 1958’sNowhere to GotoHarry PotterandDownton Abbey, take a look back at some of Smith’s most memorable roles from her remarkable career.

01of 15’Nowhere to Go,' 1958Maggie Smith and George Nader.Hulton Archive/GettyIn her first credited screen role, per IMDB, Smith starred opposite George Nadar in 1958’s “Nowhere to Go.”

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‘Nowhere to Go,’ 1958

Maggie Smith and George Nader.Hulton Archive/Getty

Hulton Archive/Getty

In her first credited screen role, per IMDB, Smith starred opposite George Nadar in 1958’s “Nowhere to Go.”

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‘Othello,’ 1965

Maggie Smith and Lawrence Olivier.LMPC via Getty

LMPC via Getty

03of 15’Hot Millions,' 1968Maggie Smith.Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via GettyIn 1968 she stepped into the role of Patty Terwilliger Smith inHot Millionsalongside Peter Ustinov and Karl Malden.

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‘Hot Millions,’ 1968

Maggie Smith.Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

In 1968 she stepped into the role of Patty Terwilliger Smith inHot Millionsalongside Peter Ustinov and Karl Malden.

04of 15’The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,' 1969Maggie Smith.AlamyThe following year she appeared alongside her then-husband Robert Stephens in a role that would win her her first Oscar.

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‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,’ 1969

Maggie Smith.Alamy

Alamy

The following year she appeared alongside her then-husband Robert Stephens in a role that would win her her first Oscar.

05of 15’Travels with my Aunt,' 1972Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/GettyIn 1972, she earned yet another Academy Award nomination for her work inTravels with my Auntwith Louis Gossett Jr.

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‘Travels with my Aunt,’ 1972

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty

In 1972, she earned yet another Academy Award nomination for her work inTravels with my Auntwith Louis Gossett Jr.

06of 15’California Suite,' 1978Mondadori via GettyIn 1979, Smith walked away a winner once again for her performance inCalifornia Suitewhich featured fellow Hollywood heavy hitters like Jane Fonda and Alan Alda.

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‘California Suite,’ 1978

Mondadori via Getty

In 1979, Smith walked away a winner once again for her performance inCalifornia Suitewhich featured fellow Hollywood heavy hitters like Jane Fonda and Alan Alda.

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‘Evil Under The Sun,’ 1982

In the screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, Smith starred as Daphne Castle in the 1982 film.

08of 15’Hook,' 1991Maggie Smith.AlamyFor 1991’s cult-favorite retelling of the Peter Pan story,Hook, Smith portrayed Granny Wendy in the movie starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts.

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‘Hook,’ 1991

For 1991’s cult-favorite retelling of the Peter Pan story,Hook, Smith portrayed Granny Wendy in the movie starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts.

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‘Sister Act,’ 1992

Smith also stepped into her fair share of comedic roles during her career including bothSister Actand its sequelSister Act II: Back in the Habit(1993).

10of 15’The Secret Garden,' 1993Maggie Smith.Warner Bros. Pictures/GettyThe classic children’s book of the same name came alive in the 1993 film which sees Smith portraying Mrs. Medlock.

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‘The Secret Garden,’ 1993

Maggie Smith.Warner Bros. Pictures/Getty

Warner Bros. Pictures/Getty

The classic children’s book of the same name came alive in the 1993 film which sees Smith portraying Mrs. Medlock.

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‘The First Wives Club,’ 1996

Another iconic comedic film Smith to which Smith lent her acting talents is 1996’sThe First Wives Clubwhich stars Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. She plays the grand doyenne of all the first wives, who helps the trio sabotage their ex-husbands.

12of 15’Gosford Park,' 2001Kelly Macdonald and Maggie Smith in ‘Gosford Park’.Mark Tillie/Usa/Capitol/Film Council/Kobal/ShutterstockSmith’s 2001 role inGosford Parkearned her an Academy Award and cemented her status asthestar to play elegant British aristocrats in period pieces.

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‘Gosford Park,’ 2001

Kelly Macdonald and Maggie Smith in ‘Gosford Park’.Mark Tillie/Usa/Capitol/Film Council/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mark Tillie/Usa/Capitol/Film Council/Kobal/Shutterstock

Smith’s 2001 role inGosford Parkearned her an Academy Award and cemented her status asthestar to play elegant British aristocrats in period pieces.

13of 15’Harry Potter,' 2001-2011Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe.Warner Bros/EverettOne of Smith’s most memorable roles — especially for younger audiences — was her longstanding tenure as Professor Minerva McGonagall in theHarry Potterfranchise.

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‘Harry Potter,’ 2001-2011

Maggie Smith and Daniel Radcliffe.Warner Bros/Everett

Warner Bros/Everett

One of Smith’s most memorable roles — especially for younger audiences — was her longstanding tenure as Professor Minerva McGonagall in theHarry Potterfranchise.

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‘Downton Abbey,’ 2010-2015

Maggie Smith.Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

15of 15’Tea with the Dames', 2018In 2018, she appeared as herself alongside other British actresses who had earned the Dame title (Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright) for reminiscing about their careers and some lighthearted teasing.Smith continued working on films into her 80s, with her last credit coming in 2023’sThe Miracle Club.

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‘Tea with the Dames’, 2018

In 2018, she appeared as herself alongside other British actresses who had earned the Dame title (Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright) for reminiscing about their careers and some lighthearted teasing.

Smith continued working on films into her 80s, with her last credit coming in 2023’sThe Miracle Club.

source: people.com