logo
Maggie Smith | Beverley Cross and Maggie Smith | Source: Getty Images
Maggie Smith | Beverley Cross and Maggie Smith | Source: Getty Images

Maggie Smith & Beverley Cross Were Happily Married for 23 Years — Losing Him Made Her Life 'Pointless'

Joe Akins
Feb 19, 2022
05:00 P.M.

Maggie Smith and Beverly Cross fought all odds to have their romance. However, after the screenwriter's death, Smith was heartbroken and found living pointless.

Advertisement

British actress, Maggie Smith, is one Hollywood star who has kept her audience spellbound by her talents while staying tight-lipped about her personal affairs.

Smith's movie, film, and theatre performances sealed her place as one of Hollywood's biggest stars. However, she is most known to modern audiences as Professor Minerva McGonagall from the "Harry Potter" series, who is strict but fair.

Maggie Smith attends the EE British Academy Film Awards on February 14, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Maggie Smith attends the EE British Academy Film Awards on February 14, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

On "Downton Abbey," she plays Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham. However, these are just the most recent of a lengthy line of characters that the powerful actress has brought to life.

Smith appeared in various movies during the 1990s, including the Whoopi Goldberg comedy "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." In addition, the actress received widespread acclaim for her role in the period drama "Downton Abbey." The performance earned her three Emmy Awards in 2011, 2012, and 2016.

Advertisement

Smith has two Academy Awards to her name. In 1969, she won the first award as an idealistic, unconventional schoolteacher in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie." In 1978, she received the second award for best-supporting actress for her portrayal in Neil Simon's "California Suite."

Smith has had such a successful acting career, so much that the industry ran out of accolades for her. As a result, she was honored with lifetime achievement awards.

Dame Maggie Smith attends the London Evening Standard British Film Awards on February 7, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Dame Maggie Smith attends the London Evening Standard British Film Awards on February 7, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

The most notable is her induction into the Order of the British Empire (DBE) as a "Dame" Commander in 1990. In 2014, she was also appointed a Companion of Honor (CH).

Away from the cameras, Smith was involved in one of the most significant romances of the century. The actress enjoyed a happy life with her fellow film star, Beverly Cross. Here's how they met.

Advertisement

MEETING BEVERLY

Cross was a prolific writer, best known for his first play, "One More River," which premiered in 1959, and the rowdy musical comedy "Half a Sixpence," which he also wrote in 1959. However, he's remembered chiefly for his lengthy hunt for Smith.

The couple met in 1952 at a student revue in Oxford, where Cross was a student. The playwright was immediately stunned by Smith, who was 18 at the time.

Advertisement

Cross was married to Elizabeth Clunies-Ross, an Oxford classmate, but he found it difficult to let go of Smith. The duo began an affair, and Cross divorced his wife to be with his heartthrob. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.

Smith met and fell in love with fellow actor Robert Stephens, whom she met at Laurence Olivier's new National Theater. The duo married, and Cross was filled with murderous loathing for Stephens. The disappointed playwright eventually married Gayden Collins, a model.

Smith's life with Stephens was a happy one for the first few years of their marriage. The couple welcomed two children, Chris Larkin and Toby. The actress's sons followed in her footsteps and pursued a career in the movie industry.

Life with Stephens soon became unbearable as the actor was unfaithful and battled alcohol. In addition, Smith's marriage to her first husband ended in 1975, making her a prime target for her former lover, Cross.

Advertisement

MARRYING BEVERLY

After her 1975 divorce, Cross, who was married to model Collins, quickly filed for a divorce. He married Smith that same year and helped her raise her two sons. The couple never had kids together, but their years as a couple were their best.

Smith spent the next 23 years of her life married to the playwright. The actress refused to talk about her marriage to Stephens during their married years as she did not want to offend Cross.

Smith later confessed that she still loved Stephens for being the father of her children. However, she valued life with Cross. The 88-year-old counts herself lucky to have married the man of her dreams.

Actress Dame Maggie Smith and her partner Beverley Cross, circa 1995 | Source: Getty Images

Actress Dame Maggie Smith and her partner Beverley Cross, circa 1995 | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

LOSING CROSS

Cross died in 1998 at age 66. Before his death, the playwright was treated for a series of aneurysms. His death was not only heartbreaking for his fans, but it was life-shattering for his wife, Smith. Two daughters from his first marriage, a son from his second marriage, and two stepsons survived the screenwriter.

Years after his death, Smith opened up about how she felt without her long-time lover. When asked how she coped with his demise, the mom of two said,

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

Advertisement

Smith said she turned her focus to her work to cope with the pain of his death. The "Harry Potter" star said, "They say it [the pain] goes away, but it doesn't. It just gets different. 'It's awful, but what do you do?"

Smith later added, "After the busy-ness, you are more alone, much more. A day that is absolutely crowded keeps your mind away from why you are alone, but when it stops, that is the deafening silence."

The actress has remained single since losing her second husband. When asked if she would consider love again, Smith replied, "I don't think I would find anybody who could come anywhere near Bev."

Advertisement

LIFE AFTER CROSS

Smith continued to appear in movies after Cross's death. However, she also struggled with her health. The "Sister Act" actress was diagnosed with breast cancer, leaving her to battle for her life.

Smith said her treatments left her frightened to return to the theatre. However, the actress was later notified of her freedom from the disease after two years of receiving treatment.

Maggie Smith at a screening of "The Lady in The Van" during the BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 13, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Maggie Smith at a screening of "The Lady in The Van" during the BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 13, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Speaking of how she got diagnosed, Smith said she felt a lump in her breast, and a visit to the doctor confirmed her fears. Following her diagnosis, the award-winning star filmed "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" while undergoing treatment.

Smith has remained a key figure in Hollywood but has reduced her public appearances in recent years. However, her legacy remains intact.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Sitcom Legend Wed This Man Who Was Her School Crush – Years Later He Came Out as Gay

March 05, 2024

Huge Star Marries This Man in Smoky Hotel Room – He Flies Miles to Her on a Stolen Plane after Learning She Was Hurt

March 05, 2024

This Lady Captured the Heart of 'James Bond' Star and One-Time Sexiest Man Alive Who Showers Her with Praises

November 15, 2023

Lorenzo Lamas and His Spouses: A Closer Look At His 6 Marriages and Love Life

January 13, 2024

Michael Reynolds Became Sabrina Le Beauf's Husband Six Weeks after They Met

November 15, 2023

'Who’s the Boss?': What Happened to Its Main Actors since the Series Ended over 3 Decades Ago

December 07, 2023

Fans Say Jaclyn Smith 'Has Done Something to Her Face' at 78 after Marrying a Doctor — Recent Photos

December 20, 2023

Poor Man Houses Family in His Old Trailer during Storm, Finds Dozen of Boxes near Home Next Day – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

This Actress, Who Gave Elvis His First On-Screen Kiss, Left Hollywood for Life in Monastery When ‘God Called’

November 30, 2023

Poor Man Shelters Family in His Old Trailer during Storm, Finds Dozen of Boxes near Home Next Day – Story of the Day

December 06, 2023

Teacher Adopts Foster Kid Who Is a Carbon Copy of His Late Daughter, Years Later Her Mother Shows Up – Story of the Day

March 03, 2024

I Walked up to My Groom at the Altar – All of a Sudden, a Woman in White Dress Appeared behind His Back

February 26, 2024

This Woman Is a Great Actor's 33-Year Younger Girlfriend - She Was a Hostess at His Hotel When They Met

February 20, 2024

Jaclyn Smith Still Lives in Luxury Home She Bought in 1991 & Raised Her 2 Kids In — Inside Her Mansion

November 24, 2023