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Early career -

Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Illford, Essex, on December 28, 1934. She moved with her family to Oxford when she was four years old. By her early teens, she was demonstrating a keen interest in drama, and left school at 16 to study acting at the Oxford Playhouse. She began her career in 1952, appearing in several productions at the Playhouse before making her Broadway debut in 1956 in the review 'New Faces of '56.' She's pictured at home in London in 1957.

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'Nowhere to Go' (1958) -

In 1959, Smith received the first of her 18 British Academy Film Award nominations for her role as Bridget Howard in the film 'Nowhere to Go,' her first screen credit. She's pictured in a scene with co-star George Nader.

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Stage career -

Meanwhile, Smith continued to work in theater. She's seen here in April 1960 appearing in the Old Vic Company play 'What Every Woman Knows' portraying Maggie Wylie. With her on stage is Fay Compton as Comtesse de la Briere, and Donald Houston as John Shand.

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Success in theater -

In 1962, she won the first of a record six Best Actress Evening Standard Awards for her roles in Peter Shaffer's plays 'The Private Ear' and 'The Public Eye.' She's pictured in her dressing room surrounded by telegrams of congratulations.

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Working with Olivier -

Her work had caught the eye of Laurence Olivier, who invited her to become part of his new National Theatre Company soon after it was formed at The Old Vic in 1962. The actress is pictured at a London railway station platform waiting for a train to Birmingham to rehearse with  Olivier for the company's new production of 'Othello' by William Shakespeare. Maggie Smith would become a regular cast member at the National Theatre throughout the 1960s.

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'Othello' (1965) -

Maggie Smith earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film adaptation of 'Othello' (1965). In this scene she appears as Desdemona with Olivier, and Joyce Redman as Emilia.

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Celebrity status -

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr chats with Smith during the Variety Club Showbiz Awards held at the Dorchester Hotel in London. The Fab Four were jointly named Showbiz Personality of the Year for 1964.

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Marriage to Robert Stephens -

In June 1967, Maggie Smith married Robert Stephens (1931–1995), one of the most respected actors of the era. They had two sons, Chris and Toby. The couple divorced in April 1975.

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Marriage to Beverley Cross -

In June 1975, Smith tied the knot with playwright Beverley Cross (1931–1998). The pair are pictured at the Evening Standard Drama Awards in November 1994, in London, England.

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'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' (1969) -

Smith delivered one of her signature roles in 1969 portraying a school teacher in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.' The film premiered at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival, with Smith later winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.

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'Travels with My Aunt' (1972) -

'Travels with My Aunt,' released in 1972, garnered the actress her third Academy Award nomination. A comedy directed by George Cuckor, the film is loosely based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Graham Greene.

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'California Suite' (1978) -

Smith triumphed in 'California Suite' (seen here in a scene with Michael Caine) by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Diana Barrie. For her efforts, she also won her first Golden Globe Award.

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Academy Award -

Maggie Smith clutches her Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 51st Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1979. It was her second Oscar to date after 1969's Best Actress accolade.

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'A Private Function' (1984) -

Starring alongside Monty Python's Michael Palin, Smith won a BAFTA Best Actress award for her portrayal of Joyce Chilvers in this comedy, co-written by Alan Bennett. She's pictured with Bill Paterson and Liz Smith.

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'A Room with a View' (1985) -

For her performance in 'A Room with a View,' Smith earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and won her second Golden Globe Award and her third British Academy Film Award for Best Actress. The movie was directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant.

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'The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne' (1987) -

Maggie Smith's golden touch continued with 'The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne' (1987), for which she won her fourth BAFTA Award for Best Actress for the title role in this drama, which costars Bob Hoskins.

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Dame Maggie Smith -

In 1990, Maggie Smith was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for contributions to the Arts. She's pictured with Her Majesty at the 2004 Royal Film Performance of 'Ladies In Lavender,' which costars Judi Dench, who was also made a Dame (in 1988).

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Tony Award -

Also in 1990, Smith won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for 'Lettice and Lovage.' This accolade proved the actress had lost none of her formidable stage presence.

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BAFTA Special Award -

The early 1990s also saw the acclaimed actress receive a BAFTA Special Award in 1993 (pictured) and, in 1996, a BAFTA Academy Fellowship—the highest honor the Academy can bestow.

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'The Secret Garden' (1993) -

'The Secret Garden' was another critical and commercial success, with Smith nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

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'Tea with Mussolini' (1999) -

Starring alongside Cher, Judi Dench, and Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith won her fifth BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in this Franco Zeffirelli-directed drama.

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'Gosford Park' (2001) -

Robert Altman's satirical black comedy 'Gosford Park' earned Smith her sixth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress alongside Helen Mirren. The hit TV series 'Downton Abbey' was originally planned as a spin-off of 'Gosford Park,' but instead was developed as a standalone project inspired by the film. The show would eventually include Smith in one of her most memorable roles.

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Professor Minerva McGonagall (2001–2011) -

The same year, 2001, marked the first appearance of the actress as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the hugely successful Harry Potter film series. The franchise in many ways introduced her to a new generation of filmgoers.

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'The Breath of Life' (2002) -

Smith's work in theater saw her starring opposite Judi Dench in 'The Breath of Life' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. Indeed, Smith, Dench, and Helen Mirren rank among Britain's greatest and most applauded actresses.

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"Triple Crown of Acting" -

The made-for-television film 'My House in Umbria' secured a Primetime Emmy Award for Smith and the coveted "Triple Crown of Acting." She was now the recipient of an Academy Award, Tony Award, and an Emmy to complement her numerous BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards. She's pictured with co-star Chris Cooper at the premiere of 'My House In Umbria' at the Sutton Theatre on May 12, 2003 in New York City.

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'Downton Abbey' (2010) -

The historical drama series 'Downton Abbey,' created by Julien Fellowes, is one of the most successful small screen shows in recent television history. Maggie Smith was cast as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, a role that came to define the actress in her later years and won her three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. The series ran to 2015.

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'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011) -

While appearing in 'Downton Abbey,' Smith still popped up on the big screen in various movies, including 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,' for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

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'Quartet' (2012) -

The actress garnered her 10th Golden Globe nomination for 'Quartet.' The film is actor Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut and was applauded by critics. Smith is pictured in a scene with Tom Courtney.

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'The Lady in the Van' (2015) -

Three years later, she received Golden Globe Award and British Academy Film Award nominations for her performance as Mary Shepherd, a character based on a real-life person who lived in a dilapidated van on the driveway of British playwright Alan Bennett's house for 15 years. She's pictured with Alex Jennings, who plays Bennett.

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'Downton Abbey' (2019) -

In 2019, Smith reprised her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in a film adaptation of the hit television series 'Downton Abbey.' She's pictured with Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Talbot.

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'Downton Abbey: A New Era' (2022) -

Pictured in a pre-release still is Smith again as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in 'Downton Abbey: A New Era,' a sequel to the 2019 film.

Sources: (Sunday Mirror) (Britannica) (The Guardian)

See also: The most fashionable period dramas of all time

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