This British actress became a true symbol of courage and generosity for an entire generation. After portraying Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, Maggie Smith earned worldwide fame. She embodied the role so perfectly that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in her place.

For fans of the saga, the passing of their beloved actress is a significant loss. Maggie passed away in London, just months shy of her milestone birthday.

Interestingly, acting wasn’t always Maggie’s dream. In fact, as a young woman, she never even considered it. Maggie was convinced that her looks were not suited for the screen. That’s why she enrolled at Oxford University. It was during her time there that she fell in love with theater. Her first stage debut happened at Oxford, much to the surprise of her family. After graduation, instead of following the traditional career path, Maggie joined the renowned London theater company, “Old Vic.”

For a long time, Maggie turned down film offers, choosing to focus on the stage. Directors, however, consistently approached her with intriguing character roles, knowing that if the script piqued her interest, she might say yes. Real fame as a film actress didn’t come until the 2000s when she took on the role of Professor McGonagall.

During the filming of one of the Harry Potter installments, Maggie was diagnosed with cancer. Despite this, she didn’t step away from the project—her love for the role was too strong. It’s no surprise that fans absolutely adored her.

For many, Maggie’s passing marked the end of an era, when the most beloved actors from Harry Potter were still with us.