Maggie Smith's Life Felt 'Pointless' After Losing Beverley Cross, Her Husband Of 23 Years

Mar 09, 2022 by apost team

Starring in "Harry Potter," "Downton Abbey," and several other iconic films, shows and productions, Dame Maggie Smith was an entertainment legend who passed away on Sept. 27, 2024. Her roles earned her accolades from industry peers and even Queen Elizabeth II. Smith had remarkable range and was able to pivot from one genre to another almost as seamlessly, such as from acting on the stage to the big screen. On top of that, she had a huge heart and was involved in many charitable organizations, alongside raising a beautiful family.

Smith was born on Dec. 28, 1934, in Essex, England. She studied acting at the Oxford Playhouse and found work when she was just a teenager. Smith went on to appear in over 60 films and 70 plays, receiving plenty of awards and praise along the way. 

The actress was one of few stars who could boast about receiving the "Triple Crown" of acting, which comprised an Academy award, an Emmy award, and a Tony award. In addition to entertainment awards, Smith was also honored by Queen Elizabeth, who bestowed on her the title of "Dame" in 1990 in recognition of her contributions to the arts and drama.

In her personal life, Smith was married twice. She first married actor Robert Stephens in June 1967, and the pair had two sons together: actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. However, Smith and Stephens divorced in 1975. She later married playwright Beverley Cross that same year and was with him until his death in 1998, after 23 years of marriage. Losing her second husband was devastating for Smith, and she did her best in the years after to carry on his memory.

Everyone has a role for which they most likely recognize Dame Maggie Smith. More contemporary fans may well know her as Lady Violet Crawley in "Downton Abbey." She also acted in the original "Clash of Titans" film. Another one of her legendary roles was as Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise.

Playing such iconic roles may have looked easy for the well-established actress, but Smith once said that it was not always so. Back in 2016, she spoke with NPR about the pressures she felt while acting in film and television. 

She explained:

"In the theater, you know, you get another chance. You can do it the next night, the next performance. You can probably get it right then. But you don't have any real say in a film. And quite honestly, I probably drive everybody mad and go on and on and on and want to do another take and – because I never feel that it's right. So I always feel huge pressure."

While many fans may have first heard of Smith through her screen performances, the actress held a spot dear to her heart for theater. In 2019, she told The Guardian:

"I am deeply grateful for the work in 'Potter' and indeed 'Downton,' but it wasn't what you'd call satisfying. I didn't really feel I was acting in those things."

Smith returned to the stage that same year in the one-woman play "A German Life." However, the actress still felt insecure about her performance.

"I suddenly felt twice as old as I actually was," Smith said. "And also, when you haven't done a show for a long time, there's something pretty dumb about doing it totally on your own."

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Her love for theater was something Smith shared with her second husband, playwright Beverley Cross. Cross found instant success with his first play, "One More River," and did his best to make a star out of Smith with his second play, "Strip the Willow." He also found success with "Half a Sixpence," which opened in 1963 and ran in London for more than a year. Later on, Cross picked up writing screenplays and wrote scripts for movies such as "The Long Ships" and "Clash of the Titans."

Smith and Cross married on June 23, 1975. They were together for just about 23 years until Cross' death on March 20, 1998, from an unexpected aneurysm. He was 66 at the time.

Smith once opened up about her grief and what it was like to lose her second husband. In a 2013 interview with CBS, Smith was asked if she was lonely without Cross. The devastated Smith replied:

"I don't know. It seems a bit pointless… Going on one's own and not having someone to share it with."

The actress also said she had no interest in finding someone else.

Smith was fortunate enough to have had her family by her side. Her two sons – Chris and Toby – both followed her into acting. She was also a proud grandmother of five. In her final years, Smith had plenty of close friends and family by her side, giving her an endless stream of love and support.

Tributes poured in after Smith passed away at the age of 89. King Charles III called her a "national treasure" with a "warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage." Her close friend and former "Gosford Park" co-star Helen Mirren likened her to Queen Elizabeth II and said:

"Like the Queen she has been a part of my life since I was a student and she was an icon even then," and added Smith was "one of the greatest actresses of the past century."

What do you think about Maggie Smith's career? Did you know about her long-lasting second marriage? Let us know, and be sure to send this to your loved ones.