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‘Harry Potter’, ‘Sister Act’ and more
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‘Harry Potter’, ‘Sister Act’ and more

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of legendary actress Maggie Smith, who died Friday at the age of 89.

A veteran of both stage and screen, Smith was born on December 28, 1934 in Ilford, Essex, England. She made her film debut in the British television series BBC Sunday evening theatre in 1955.

ForbesMaggie Smith, the Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning acting legend, dies at the age of 89

Per IMDbSmith’s first big screen appearance was in the 1956 British film Child in the housewhere she played the uncredited role of party guest. Her official film debut came two years later in the 1958 crime drama Nowhere to go.

In total according to IMDbSmith appeared in 85 film projects throughout her illustrious career.

From her dozens of big-screen credits, here are 10 movies to watch starring Smith.

‘The Wonder Club’ (2023)

Maggie Smith’s last film role came in the 2023 comedy-drama The Wonder Club.

In the film, Smith’s character, Lily Fox, forms the musical group The Miracles with two friends – Eileen (Kathy Bates) and Dolly (Laura Linney) – to star in a Catholic Church talent show. After winning the competition, The Miracles will receive tickets for a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2019)

Although Maggie Smith took on the iconic role of the Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley in the classic ITV/BBC television series Masterpiece Downton Abbey—which lasted six seasons from 2010 to 2015—she was able to reprise the role twice Downton Abbey feature films.

The first Downton Abbey film debuted in theaters in 2019, while the sequel Downton Abbey: a new era was released in 2022.

‘The best exotic marigold hotel’ (2011)

Maggie Smith stars as Muriel Donnelly The best exotic marigold hotelmember of a group of British citizens ‘in their golden years’ who move to a retirement hotel in India.

The cast of the 2011 comedy-drama also includes Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Dev Patel and the late Tom Wilkinson. Smith reprized her role in the film’s sequel, The second best exotic marigold hotelwhich was released in 2015.

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)

One of Maggie Smith’s most iconic roles began in 2001 when she played Hogwarts Professor Minerva McGonagall in the film adaptation of JK Rowling’s best-selling novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Smith played McGonagall in six more Harry Potter films over the next decade, ending with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011. Smith’s McGonagall did not appear in 2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

‘Gosford Park’ (2001)

Maggie Smith played Constance Trentham in director Robert Altman’s whodunnit murder mystery comedy Gosford Park in 2001.

The film’s cast also included Smith’s future Harry Potter stars Michael Gambon, as well as Kristen Scott Thomas, Ryan Phillipe, Stephen Fry, Derek Jacobi, Clive Owen and Helen Mirren.

Gosford Park Smith earned her sixth and final Oscar nomination, which came in the Best Supporting Actress category.

‘Sister Law’ (1992)

Maggie Smith played the role of Reverend Mother Sister Acta musically infused 1992 crime comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg.

In the film, Goldberg stars as Deloris Wilson-Van Cartier, a lounge singer who witnesses a mob murder and is placed in witness protection at a convent run by the Reverend Mother – eventually establishing her new identity as Sister Mary Clarence .

Smith reprized her role as Reverend Mother, also known as Mother Superior, in the sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the habit in 1993.

‘A room with a view’ (1985)

A historical romantic drama directed by James Ivory. A room with a view Maggie Smith plays Charlotte Bartlett, who watches over her cousin Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) during a trip to Florence, Italy.

A room with a view Smith earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

‘California Suite’ (1978)

Maggie Smith stars as Diane Barrie opposite Michael Caine’s Sidney Cochran in the romantic comedy-drama California suitewhich tells four different stories of eight different guests staying at a hotel in Beverly Hills.

Diane and Barrie are a British couple who travel to Los Angeles to attend the Oscars.

California suite earned Smith an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress – her only win in the category in four attempts throughout her career.

‘Death on the Nile’ (1978)

Maggie Smith stars as Miss Bowers, a big-screen adaptation of legendary author Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery novel – one of nine passengers suspected of murder by Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) after a suspicious death aboard a boat trip on the Nile in Africa.

‘The Flowering of Miss Jean Brodie’ (1970)

Maggie Smith earned her first Oscar – for Best Actress – for playing the eccentric Scottish schoolteacher Jean Brodie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. The film was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in only one other category: a nomination for Best Original Song for the tune by composer Rod McKeun Jean.

Smith also earned another Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Aunt Augusta in the 1972 adventure comedy Traveling with my aunt.

ForbesThe Bloom of Miss Maggie Smith: A Tribute