Part of Our Ongoing Series About Folks Who Achieved Great Things After Their 50th Birthday
We lost Maggie Smith last week. Not only was she a towering figure in British theater and film, she was also my very favorite actress. Her six-decade career not only established her as one of the most revered actors of her generation but also demonstrated her capacity to excel well beyond the traditional limits of age.
Certainly Ms. Smith’s early career was marked by performances of subtlety and brilliance, but to my view it was after the age of 50 that she truly solidified her status as a cultural and cinematic icon.
During her later years she would amass a string of critical and popular successes that cement her legacy as a versatile and commanding actress. Let’s take a brief look at the life and times of this remarkable woman.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, Maggie Smith’s love of the stage blossomed early. She trained at the Oxford Playhouse School in the early 1950s and debuted on stage at the age of 17. Her rise was swift, and she soon became a regular presence in British theater. She joined the Royal National Theatre in the 1960s under the direction of Laurence Olivier, where her performances in Shakespearean roles — most notably Desdemona in Othello (1965) — earned her widespread acclaim.
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Her breakthrough in film came with her portrayal of Jean Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), for which she won her first Academy Award for Best Actress. By the age of 40, Smith was already an established name in both theater and film. It was to be in the second half of her life that she truly reinvented herself and reached new heights of fame and admiration.
Later Career
The latter half of Smith’s career was defined by a remarkable ability to reinvent herself in a range of roles, defying the industry’s tendency to sideline older actresses. The 1980s and 1990s marked a period of critical acclaim, but also of considerable popular success, as she consistently delivered stellar performances that showcased her range.
In 1984, Smith received her second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actress for her role in California Suite (1978), where her portrayal of an insecure, aging actress grappling with professional disappointment resonated deeply. The film also demonstrated her ability to inject humor and vulnerability into roles that required a deep emotional resonance.
Smith’s stage career also flourished during this time, with roles in major productions of The Way of the World (1984) and Three Tall Women (1994), where she brought complexity and wit to characters who often represented the struggles of aging with grace and humor. These performances underscored her exceptional skill in portraying older characters, often imbuing them with a blend of imperiousness and vulnerability that became one of her signature styles.
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Iconic Roles in Her Senior Years
As impressive as Ms. Smith’s early career was, it was in her 60s, 70s, and even her 80s that she reached an even wider global audience. Perhaps her most iconic role post-50 was that of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, which ran from 2001 to 2011. As McGonagall, Smith brought warmth, strength, and an iron resolve to a character beloved by millions of fans. Her portrayal of the stern but caring professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry became a defining role, introducing her to new generations of filmgoers and solidifying her status as a cultural icon.
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In addition to her work in the Harry Potter series, Smith gained critical and popular acclaim for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey (2010-2015). Her performance in Downton Abbey earned her a Golden Globe, several Emmy Awards and widespread praise for her wit, sharp-tongued repartee and impeccable comic timing.
Violet Crawley was both acerbic and deeply caring, and Smith’s portrayal captured the complexity of a woman grappling with changing societal norms while holding on to her aristocratic roots. Her impeccable comedic timing and ability to deliver biting lines with elegance made her a fan favorite. Certainly this is when she became a favorite of mine.
Smith’s later career also saw her in roles that explored the difficulties of aging, such as her critically acclaimed performance in The Lady in the Van (2015). In this film, she played the real-life character of Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman living in a van outside playwright Alan Bennett’s home.
Her portrayal of the eccentric and irascible Shepherd was both poignant and humorous, earning her further critical praise and demonstrating that her ability to embody complex characters had not diminished with age.
Recognitions and Legacy
Maggie Smith’s numerous accolades reflect her immense contribution to both stage and screen. She has been honored with five BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globes, four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Academy Awards. She was in fact one of the most decorated British actresses of all time. In 1990, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the performing arts.
Smith’s career after age 50 brilliantly demonstrated her enduring talent, professionalism and adaptability. She consistently chosen roles that not only allowed her to showcase her range but also presented new challenges. Whether in dramatic roles, sharp-tongued comedic performances or fantasy epics, Smith has continued to captivate audiences and critics alike. She passed away on September 27 at the age of 89.
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So there you have it. Maggie Smith’s career stands as a shining example of how great actors can redefine their legacies with age. Her ability to find depth in every role — combined with her natural charisma and impeccable timing — made her one of the most beloved and respected actresses of her time. Well into her 80s, Smith showed no signs of slowing down, and her later years were as triumphant — perhaps even more so — than her early ones. Her legacy is one of brilliance and longevity that will inspire generations to come. We’ll miss you, Maggie.
By Steven Roberts
