Both of Maggie Smith’s sons are actors, and one was once a James Bond villain

The late Dame Maggie Smith died on Friday at the age of 89, with her sons announcing she “passed away peacefully” – but who are brothers Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens?

In addition to her acclaimed career, the Downton Abbey star led a turbulent personal life and married her first husband, actor Sir Robert Stephens, in 1967 – the same year she gave birth to her eldest son Larkin (57) and two years before her second son Stefan was born, 55 years old

The pair later starred together in her Oscar-winning film Miss Jean Brodie’s Prime Minister and in the nominated film Travels with My Aunt.

By 1970, however, the marriage came under pressure from Stephens’ mental health problems (including a suicide attempt) and infidelity, and Smith called their marriage “hopeless” in a 2004 interview.

Smith married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975 after her divorce, and the couple remained together until Cross’s death in 1998 – and she continued to raise their sons.

In a statement, they paid tribute to their mother. “She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren, devastated by the loss of an extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they wrote.

Their connection to the acting legend goes beyond biology, as both men found their way into the television and film industry just like their mother did – and you’ll probably recognize them in some of their bigger roles.

In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Smith joked that her sons had chosen to work in the same industry.

“God knows, they weren’t encouraged. “I think they kind of fought it, but I’m glad they gave in, because even with all the horrors, this profession is fascinating,” she said at the time.

What movies and TV shows has Toby Stephens been in?

British actor Toby Stephens is perhaps best known for playing James Bond villain Gustav Graves in the 2002 film Die Another Day.

His other credits include playing Dr. Edward Armstrong in the BBC thriller And Then There Were None, playing Captain Flint in the pirate drama Black Sails and playing Poseidon in Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Oh, and Mr. Rochester in the 2006 adaptation of Jane Eyre opposite Ruth Wilson. He even appeared as Lionel in the latest Netflix series One Day.

In 2012, the father of three admitted that he had no interest in sharing the stage or screen with his mother.

“I have this rule about my mother – we both think that family acting is a bit stupid. I cringe when I see that someone clearly thought, “Hey, we’re both actors, why don’t we do something together?” – he said then.

He ended up crossing paths with his late biological father during their overlapping years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and he spoke about the experience in The Telegraph in 2014.

“It was good to meet him and get to know him because then I didn’t have that baggage of being angry at him,” he said at the time.

“I had a fantastic stepfather, so I didn’t blame him at all, even though he annoyed me. He was not an easy man, although he was incredibly charming, sociable and funny.

What movies and TV shows has Chris Larkin appeared in?

Stephens’ older brother, Larkin, also has a successful career as a professional actor.

In 2019, he starred as Nigel Jones in Keira Knightley’s Official Secrets, and his other film highlights include the 2003 hit Master and Commander and 2008’s Valkyrie as Sergeant Helm.

Elsewhere, he played Richard Brown in Outlander and even appeared in his brother’s drama Black Sails as Captain Berringer. And the role of Bernard Wooley in Yes, Prime Minister.

He also appeared in Doctor Who, Casualty, Holby City and even appeared in the 1996 version of Jane Eyre as Frederick Lynn alongside William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Larkin spoke candidly about changing his name at the age of 19, stating that he was eager to separate his professional and personal life when the name Christopher Stephens was already taken.

“I wanted to do it myself,” Larkin told The Times in 2013.

“My father always encouraged me to take advantage of my family connections. His name was never changed.

He said, “Why don’t you change it back?” But it was my choice. And I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I went back to that. This would be an admission of defeat.

Unlike Stephens, Larkin worked with Smith before making 1999’s “Tea with Mussolini.”

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