Dame Maggie Smith - Professor McGonagall

Dame Maggie Smith - Professor Minerva McGonagall

Maggie Smith was born as Margaret Natalie Smith on the 28th December 1934, to parents Nathaniel Smith, a pathologist, and Margaret Hutton Little, a secretary in Ilford, Essex, UK. She has older twin brothers, Ian and Alistair that are Achitects.
Maggie and her family moved to Oxford in 1939, where she attended Oxford high School for Girls in 1947. She went to the Oxford Playhouse School, where, in 1952, she made her stage debut in "Twelth Night" as Viola, with the Oxford University Dramatic Society. In 1959, she joined the Old Victoria Company, then after a succession of excellent perfomances, she became a member of the National Theatre, where amongst others, she performed in "Othello" in 1967, and "The Three Sisters" in 1970.

In 1958, Maggie made her film debut, starring in the thriller "Nowhere to go." After this she starred in many films including her 1969 Oscar winning performance in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". She left the National Theatre in 1971, after recieving the CBE in 1970.

Maggie Smith went onto star in many detective films, including "Murder by Death" starring alongside David Niven in 1976, and also Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile" in 1978. Maggie did many stage productions, winning an Oscar in 1978 for her role in "California Suite", plus BAFTA Awards for her roles in "A Private Function", "A Room with a View", and "The lovely Passion of Judith Hearne." Maggie has acclaimed many awards in her career, and I'm sure she will continue to receive many more.

In 1990, she received the Dame Commander, Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 1992, she starred in "Sister Act" alongside Whoopie Goldberg, reprising the role again for "Sister Act 2". Over the years, Maggie has starred in many stage productions, and films, including a role in "Gosford Park", which earned her another Oscar nomination in 2002.

She is best known to us, as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the transfiguration teacher, plus Deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School. Maggie has starred in all four Harry Potter films, but it is unconfirmed at this point in time, whether or not, she will be in the Order of the Phoenix.

Facts about Dame Maggie Smith

Full Name: Dame Maggie Smith
Real Name: Dame Margaret Natalie Smith Cross
Date of Birth: 28th December 1934
Born: Ilford, Essex, UK
Height: 5' 5" (165m)
Eyes: Blue
Parents: Nathaniel Smith, a pathologist, and Margaret Hutton Little, a secretary
Siblings: Twin older brothers, Ian and Alistair, Architects
Spouse: Robert Stephens (1967 - 74 Divorced) Beverley Cross (1975 - 98 deceased)
Children: (Both sons to Robert Stephens) Chris Larkin (1967) and Toby Stephens (1969)

Contact Details

Dame Maggie Smith
C/o Write on Cue
29 Whitcomb St.
London WC2H 7EP
England UK

Published on: 2005-07-19 (6534 reads)

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Dame Maggie Smith - Professor McGonagall