Dame Margaret Natalie Smith was born December 28, 1934 in Ilford, Essex in England. When Maggie was four, in high summer 1939, the family moved to Oxford, a far safer option, what with London being under severe threat due to the war. There she attended the Oxford High School for Girls. She left at 16, in 1951 joining the Oxford Playhouse School and immediately beginning an all-round education in theatre.
She quickly rose to prominence in the theatre world, working steadily in many, many varied productions. She soon broke out in cinema as well, and over the years earned several awards nominations. In the Harry Potter world she is known for playing Minerva McGonagall in all the films to date. She has two sons, and seems to have no intention to slow down or stop acting. This determination is part of what makes her so great.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Appointed a CBE in 1970 and a DBE (Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1990.
- In 2003, she became the seventeenth performer to win the Triple Crown of acting. Oscars: Best Actress, 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' (1969) & Best Supporting Actress, 'California Suite' (1978), Tony: Best Actress-Play, 'Lettice and Lovage' (1990), and Emmy: Best Actress-Miniseries/Movie, 'My House in Umbria' (2003).
- Had to change her stage name to "Maggie Smith" as there already was an actress named "Margaret Smith" at the time she started in the profession.
- Is a good friend of Judi Dench.
Recent Filmography 2009 From Time to Time
(pre-production) 2008 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Minerva McGonagall
(filming) 2007 Capturing Mary - Mary Gilbert
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Minerva McGonagall
2007 Becoming Jane
2005 Keeping Mum - Grace Hawkins
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Minerva McGonagall
2004 Ladies in Lavender - Janet Widdington
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Minerva McGonagall
2003 My House in Umbria - Mrs. Emily Delahunty
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Professor Minerva McGonagall
Information from
Imdb.
Smith, (Dame) Maggie - Minerva McGonagall 
