The entertainment industry lost another gem and legendary actress Maggie Smith on September 27, 2024. The Harry Potter actress was 89, and her two children Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens shared the news with the world.
Apart from playing the strict yet soft-hearted Professor Minerva McGonagall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Smith has played notable roles in films and TV shows. The actress secured two Oscars in her lifetime and received four other nominations for different portrayals.
Maggie Smith was first married to the celebrated English actor Robert Stephens, and the former couple had two sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. The brothers carried on their mother's legacy and transformed into acclaimed actors.
In a joint statement shared by Smith's two sons, they spoke highly of their mother and expressed enduring the biggest loss:
"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."
Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens shared a close bond with their mother, and she is described as a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren. Despite having a wealthy family background, the brothers chose to make their names with talent and determination.
Exploring the careers of Maggie Smith's two sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens
Unlike his brother Toby Stephens, Chris Larkin abandoned his father's surname. However, the brothers didn't use the influence of their parents to establish a triumphant acting career. Here's what we know about Smith's two sons:
1) Chris Larkin
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens welcomed Chris Larkin on June 19, 1967, as their first child, a few days before the former couple tied the knot. Larkin's decision to drop his famous surname was rooted in his determination to create his own identity in the entertainment industry.
However, Larkin acknowledged his mother's influence on his acting career. While speaking to Broadway.com, the actor mentioned visiting her mom at the Coliseum when she was performing Peter Pan.
Outlander fans must know Chris Larkin as Richard Brown, who lives in Brownsville in the TV series. The actor has played other notable roles including Muller in Widow Clicquot, Roger Frobisher in Father Brown, and Captain Berringer in Captain Sails.
While Smith initiated her career at 17, her elder son Chris Larkin joined drama school when he was 22. Larkin's Outlander has seven seasons and is available to stream on Netflix.
2) Toby Stephens
Toby Stephens is Maggie Smith's youngest son and two years younger to Chris Larkin. Similar to his brother, Toby stepped into acting and is known for his role as John Robinson in Netflix's Lost In Space TV series.
Stephens has been a part of several TV series and films. His acting roles include Poseidon in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Mark Holgate in McDonald & Dodds, Lionel in One Day, and many others. Toby Stephens graduated from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and wasted no time in entering the entertainment industry.
The actor walked down the aisle with Anna-Louise Plowman in 2001, and the two share three adorable children. Stephens worked with his wife in the 2013 Noel Coward's Private Lives, with the actor playing the lead role of Elyot Chase alongside Anna Chancellor's Amanda Prynne.
Does Maggie Smith have children with her second husband?
No, Maggie Smith didn't have children from her second marriage with Alan Beverley Cross. The two married in 1975, and were considered a happily married couple. However, Cross passed away in 1998, and while talking about her late husband in an interview with The New York Times, Smith said:
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"When you meet again someone you should have married in the first place, it’s like a script. That kind of luck is too good to be true."
Even though Smith and Cross didn't share a child, they had a strong bond. Maggie Smith may have left the world after spending decades in the entertainment industry, but she will forever be remembered for her contribution to the industry.
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