Maggie Smith Could Not Stand on Her Own on Film Set Due to Cancer — Today She Intends to Continue Her Career

Maggie Smith is a highly decorated English actress, but through her journey, she has faced difficulties due to cancer. While on the "Harry Potter" set, she was spotted bald and she supported herself by holding onto objects, yet she continued working. To this day, Smith is active and is never giving up on her career.

87-year-old Maggie Smith has been holding it down as an actress since the 1950s. She is a well-known TV star with numerous awards and film credits, but this recognition came with years of hard work, consistency, and a non-fleeting passion.

Smith was born Dame Margaret Natalie Smith in Essex, England, on December 28, 1934. As a young woman, she became interested in acting and pursued it vehemently, first by studying at the Oxford Playhouse School before appearing in revues in Oxford and London.

In 1956, she gained popularity after featuring in a Broadway play titled "New Faces." The following year, Smith bagged the lead comedian role in "Share My Lettuce." This marked the beginning of a new career as the English native became a regular face in plays at the Old Vic Theatre in London.

Her early works include "The Rehearsal," "The Private Ear and The Public Eye," and "Mary, Mary." By 1963, Smith was a highly recognized Broadway star.

That same year, she joined her country's National Theatre company. What followed was overwhelming successes in her subsequent features— "Othello" and "The Recruiting Officer."

Amid the many roles she played onscreen, Smith was not lacking when it came to her life offscreen; she was also brilliant in her role as a mother and wife.

The Oscar winner was married to Sir Robert Stephen, and they became parents to two sons, Chris and Toby. Consequently, both men followed their mother's path and established themselves as successful actors in the film industry.

Maggie Smith Was Faced with Some Health Challenges

Undoubtedly, Smith has established herself as one of the big names in the game. Her years of dedication and contributions have not gone unnoticed by colleagues and fans. However, she has suffered a few health problems over the years.

Midway into her treatment, she featured in the Harry Potter franchise, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.'' Expectedly, she lost her hair, yet the English native remained onset because she "had no problem getting the wig on."

About a decade ago, Smith, whose significance as the grand Dowager Countess of Grantham in "Downton Abbey" scored the series a huge success, was admitted to the hospital.

The then 77-year-old was rushed to Wellington Hospital, London, where she underwent a series of tests and was placed under monitoring.

Following her discharge, a source close to the actress maintained that she would consider advice from her doctors to press the brakes. According to the insider:

"It was a big scare for Maggie, and she was really worried because she was in a lot of pain…Maggie loves her work and her performance in Downton. But she would have to think very carefully now about whether she stays in the show. Her health always comes first and I am sure she will take advice from the experts."

That was not the first time that Smith would be in a hospital. In 2008, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Although the movie star has maintained her passion for acting, at the time, she contemplated quitting the job because of her health issues. While recalling her cancer treatments, she admitted:

"It leaves you so flattened. I'm not sure I could go back to theater work…I feel very uncertain. It knocks you sideways. I am fearful of the amount of energy one needs to be in a film or a play."

Before her last health scare, many feared that the actress may not return to their beloved series, "Downton Abbey." However, the show's creator, Julian Fellowes, mentioned that it was up to the actress to determine her return.

Fans would recall that cancer and a health scare were not the only medical difficulties endured by Smith. At age 33, the "Harry Potter" star was also diagnosed with Graves' disease. This condition is linked to a person's immunity, appearing when there is an excess production of thyroid hormones, and it poses risks of heart failure.

Smith's diagnosis read that she had Graves' ophthalmopathy, which affects one-third of victims of the disease. The condition caused Smith to look puffy and what she described as "absolutely frightening."

Maggie Smith Remained Undefeated and Coped with Her Health Issues

Smith did not hide what she suffered while undergoing therapy following her cancer diagnosis. She confessed that it brought excruciating pain, but while it took a toll on her body, she was in high spirits and was determined to keep working.

Without mincing words, an 82-year-old Smith revealed that the disease was "fighting" her, adding that "the chemotherapy was very peculiar, something that makes you feel much worse than cancer itself, a very nasty thing."

Midway into her treatment, she featured in the Harry Potter franchise, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.'' Expectedly, she lost her hair, yet the English native remained on set because she "had no problem getting the wig on."

Smith also knew she would have to stagger, finding something to hold for support, as her strength was failing. While her health might have attracted sympathy, Smith accepted that she might not survive. But what ate her up was seeing younger people suffer similar conditions. In her words:

"I was relieved to be the age I was, because by now you feel like it's all over anyway. That's why I hated seeing young people receiving treatment…I couldn't bear that, it didn't seem fair."

Amid what she faced in the past, retirement is never in the books for Smith, who continues to enjoy her time as an actress. Her latest works include "A German Life" and "The Miracle Club."

Although she remains fearful of what happens when she stops and when she is persistent, Smith has chosen to continue to light up the faces of fans with her outstanding, evergreen performances, proving that she will never give up on life or art!