Smith, Maggie (1934–)

English stage and screen actress. Name variations: Dame Maggie Smith. Born Margaret Natalie Smith, Dec 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England; m. Robert Stephens (actor), 1967 (div. 1974); m. Beverley Cross (screenwriter), 1975 (died 1998); children: Toby Stephens (b. 1969, actor) and Christopher Stephens (actor under name Chris Larkin).

Made NY stage debut in the revue New Faces '56 and London stage debut in the revue Share My Lettuce (1957); appeared with Old Vic Company (1959–60, 1963–66); other plays include Rhinoceros, The Rehearsal, The Beaux Strategem, The Three Sisters, Hedda Gabler and Antony and Cleopatra; films include Oh What a Lovely War, The V. I. P.s, The Pumpkin Eater, Young Cassidy, Murder by Death, Death on the Nile, Clash of the Titans, Love and Pain, Sister Act, The Secret Garden, Quartet, Ladies in Lavender and 3 Harry Potter films. Received Evening Standard award as Best Actress for The Private Ear and the Public Eye (1962) and Variety Club award as Best Actress for Mary Mary (1963) and Private Lives (1972); received an Oscar as Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and as Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978); nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress for Travels with My Aunt (1972), and as Best Supporting Actress for Othello (1965) and Room with a View (1985); won British Film Award as Best Actress for A Private Function (1984) and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987); won a Tony award for Lettice and Lovage (1993); nominated for an Emmy for Best Actress for "Suddenly Last Summer" (1993); named Commander of the British Empire (CBE, 1970) and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE, 1990).

See also Michael Coveney, Maggie Smith: A Bright Particular Star (1994).