Harry Potter's Professor McGonagall: Little Known Facts About Maggie Smith

One of the best actresses from the Harry Potter series is Maggie Smith. Her portrayal of Professor McGonagall is simply amazing. In fact, one of Maggie Smith's greatest roles has been the one she played in the Harry Potter series. But, what else is there to know about Maggie Smith? What are some of the little known facts about this Harry Potter actress?

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #1: Birth Name

Maggie Smith's birth name is Margaret Natalie Smith. Another fun fact is that she had hoped to use the name Margaret Smith as her stage name, but there was already another actress using that name. This led her to choose the name Maggie Smith.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #2: Ranked as the 10th Greatest British Film Actress

According to the 2001 Orange Film Survey, Maggie Smith is the 10th greatest British film actress. Another fun fact is that she shares this title with a few other actresses who appear in the Harry Potter series. Julie Walters and Emma Thompson are also in the top ten.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #3: Won a Best Actress Award and Then a Best Supporting Actress Award

Maggie Smith is one of the few actresses to win a best actress award before winning a best supporting actress award.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #4: Once Shared a Dressing Room with Two Other Famous Actresses

During the filming of Death on the Nile, the production crew insisted that no one could have their own dressing room. This led Maggie Smith to have to share her dressing room with two others actresses. In fact she shared her dressing room with Angela Lansbury and Bette Davis.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #5: One of the First Stars on the Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is the UK equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Maggie Smith was one of the first 100 stars to make it onto the Avenue of Stars. Another interesting fact is that the Avenue of Stars is located in London.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #6: Has Had Three "Secret" Films

Another fun fact is that Maggie Smith has appeared in three movies that have the word "secret" in the title. She has appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Secret Garden, and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #7: Approximately the Same Age as Her Harry Potter Character

Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series is in her 70s and so is Maggie Smith. This may be one of the reasons she does such a great job portraying this Harry Potter character. Another fun fact about Maggie Smith is that she worked with her Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, in the movie David Copperfield.

Little Known Facts about Maggie Smith #8: Is a Dame

One last fact is that Maggie Smith has the honor of being a Dame. This is the female equivalent of being Knighted.