Maggie Smith – 86, Ilford

Maggie Smith has enjoyed an extensive career as an actress in films, television, and the stage. She began her pursuit of Hollywood fame during the mid-’50s and has since appeared in almost 60 films and more than 70 plays.

Although Smith was already a renowned actress in British showbiz, she rose to international stardom after playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. This led to her recurring role as Violet Crawley in Downtown Abbey, starring in several seasons of the hit show between 2010 and 2015. Smith is currently filming the sequel to the ITV show Downton Abbey’s big-screen adaptation.