Maggie Smith and her battle with cancer while filming Harry Potter
News about the death of Maggie Smith shocked his followers. The British actress, known for her extensive and dazzling career, died on the morning of September 27, 2024 at the age of 89. Although she has been a familiar face for several generations, her fame has been cemented in roles such as strict and cute Professor Minerva McGonagall in the saga of harry potter.
The actress died peacefully in Chelsea and Westminster Hospitalsurrounded by family and close friends, her family said in a statement for BBC.
His children, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkinthey talked about their mother’s death. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lady Maggie Smith.they wrote in a statement. “An intensely private person, he was with his friends and family at the end of his days. “She leaves two children and five grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
The actress leaves behind a huge legacy that spans over six decades of stage, film and television performances. Since her Oscar for Best Actress in 1969 for “Miss Jean Brodie’s First Place”passing through her memorable role as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey”until her presence in contemporary films, Maggie Smith was an icon of British acting. But behind this artistic and professional greatness lay a dark chapter that many did not know about: her battle with breast cancer while filming Harry Potter.
In 2008, when she played the wise and steadfast Minerva McGonagall in the sixth film of the franchise, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”Maggie Smith received a diagnosis that changed her life. He discovered a lump in the breasta finding that didn’t worry him at first because he had a similar one years ago that turned out to be harmless. But this time it was different. The news he had breast cancer At age 74, it was devastating.
“It took my breath away”the actress admitted in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2009. It was not an easy fight. Although he immediately began to heal chemotherapythe side effects were devastating. The actress felt weakened, bald and, in her own words, “terribly sick“. Still, the thought of leaving your job on the set harry potter It wasn’t in his plans. Smith remained steadfast in his commitment to the character and the saga.
The actress acknowledged it work under the influence of chemotherapy It was quite a challenge. He looked professional on set, even though he was fighting an intense battle inside. “I was completely bald. I had no problem wearing a wig. “It was like a hard-boiled egg,” he said of those difficult days. Despite the seriousness of her illness and the grueling treatment, Maggie is determined to complete every film in the franchise even if she has to. “crawl or stagger” during the process.
Maggie Smith has always been tight-lipped about her private life, and her battle with cancer was no exception. Speaking about her diagnosis and treatment, she made it clear that the process was terrifying. “I felt very insecure. I didn’t know what the future held, if there was any future. I think there’s not much, because of my age; There just isn’t any,” he said at the time. His words showed vulnerability about an actress who spent her entire life on stage and in front of the cameras, but who faced an illness that threatened to take her safety away.
During those years, the actress also admitted that she was returning to theater It was something that was unthinkable to him. “I’m not sure I can go back to theater work, although film work is more exhausting,” she admitted. Chemotherapy changed her life so much that she was afraid to return to the stage, the place where she started her career and where she always felt most comfortable.
However, Maggie was able to push through. After two years of treatment and constant struggle, he was cured of cancer. And while it took her some time to return to work regularly, her indomitable spirit brought her back to the screen. Shortly after the end of the saga of harry potterthe actress played “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and reprized his memorable role Violet Crawley in Downton Abbeygaining the affection of new generations of fans. On the big screen, Maggie continued to conquer with her talent in projects such as “Miracle Club” in 2023.
The role of Maggie Smith Minerva McGonagall in the franchise harry potter Not only did it give him a special place in fans’ hearts, but his strength and bravery off camera gave his character new meaning. A strict but fair and brave teacher, McGonagall became a mirror of Maggie herself during those difficult years. His battle with cancer, his determination to continue working and his ability to overcome adversity still inspire many today.
Beyond magic and sorcery, a true heroic tale Mrs. Maggie Smith She is a woman who, despite adversity, never stopped doing what she loved. Neither cancer nor grueling treatment could stop his passion for acting or his professionalism.