Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith, born Margaret Natalie Smith, reigned as one of Britain’s most iconic actresses for seven decades, celebrated for her razor-sharp wit and commanding stage presence. From her early days at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952 to her Tony-winning role in "Lettice and Lovage" in 1990, Smith’s career spanned Broadway and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her screen performances, including her Oscar-winning turns in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "California Suite," and her enduring portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, cemented her status as a cinematic legend. Later roles in "Downton Abbey" and "The Lady in the Van" brought her renewed acclaim and a clutch of Emmy Awards, marking a career of unparalleled longevity and distinction.