Maggie Smith Short biography
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith CH DBE (born 28 December 1934) is an English actress. With an extensive career in theatre, film, and television over seven decades, she is one of Britain's most recognizable and prolific actresses. She is particularly noted for her wit in comedic roles.
Smith was born in Ilford, Essex, England. She began her stage career in 1952, and made her film debut in 1956. She has since starred in over 60 films, including The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), Travels with My Aunt (1972), Death on the Nile (1978), A Room with a View (1986), Sister Act (1992), Gosford Park (2001), Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), Downton Abbey (2010–2015), and The Lady in the Van (2015).
Smith is also a highly acclaimed stage actress, having won five Tony Awards for her performances in Lettice and Lovage (1990), A Delicate Balance (1996), The Way of the World (2001), Private Lives (2002), and Lettice and Lovage (2010). She has also won two Olivier Awards for her performances in Hedda Gabler (1970) and Virginia (1981).
Smith is a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), and a Companion of Honour (CH). She has also been awarded the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award and the Screen Actors Guild Life Time Achievement Award.
