Beverley Cross was one of Britain’s most talented playwrights and screenwriters, yet many people know his name only because of his marriage to legendary actress Maggie Smith. In reality, Cross enjoyed a remarkable career of his own, writing successful stage plays, film scripts, and musicals that left a lasting impact on British theatre and cinema.
Known formally as Alan Beverley Cross, he was born on 13 April 1931 in London and became one of the most respected writers of his generation. He is best remembered for writing the musical Half a Sixpence and for contributing to famous adventure films such as Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans.
Even decades after his death, people continue to search questions such as “Who is Beverley Cross?”, “What was Beverley Cross’s cause of death?”, “Who was Beverley Cross’s first wife?”, and “Did Beverley Cross have children?” His connection to Maggie Smith and actor Toby Stephens has also kept public interest alive.
This article explores the complete life and career of Beverley Cross, from his early years to his success in theatre and film, his marriages, family life, and his final years.
Who Was Beverley Cross?
Beverley Cross, whose full name was Alan Beverley Cross, was an English playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. He became famous for writing stories that worked equally well on stage and on screen. His talent lay in creating dramatic, emotional, and adventurous works that appealed to a wide audience.
Although many writers become known for only one medium, Cross worked successfully in several. He wrote stage plays, adapted books into musicals, and helped create some of the biggest fantasy and adventure films of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s.
His most famous stage work was Half a Sixpence, while his best-known film script was Clash of the Titans from 1981. The film became a classic and remains one of the most remembered fantasy movies of its era.
Despite this success, Cross often remained in the background. Unlike actors or directors, screenwriters are rarely household names, and Beverley Cross was no exception. However, his work was admired by people in the theatre and film industries.
Alan Beverley Cross: Early Life and Childhood
Alan Beverley Cross was born in London on 13 April 1931. He grew up during a difficult period in British history. His childhood was shaped by the years before and during the Second World War.
Cross attended Pangbourne Nautical College, a school that focused on discipline and naval traditions. Although the school prepared students for careers at sea, Cross was more interested in writing and storytelling.
From a young age, he showed a strong imagination. Rather than dreaming of becoming a sailor, he wanted to create stories and plays. His interest in theatre grew throughout his teenage years, and by the time he was a young man, he had already decided that writing would become his career.
Beverley Cross Young: The Beginning of His Career
When Beverley Cross was still young, he began writing children’s plays and short theatrical productions. He worked hard to establish himself in the British theatre world during the 1950s.
His first major breakthrough came in 1958 with the play One More River. The production was a success and introduced audiences to his talent. The play starred Robert Shaw and helped Cross gain recognition among theatre critics and producers.
Not long after, Cross wrote another play titled Strip the Willow. This play was especially important because it helped launch the stage career of Maggie Smith, who would later become his wife.
During these early years, Beverley Cross became known as a promising young playwright. He had the ability to create strong characters and emotional stories. His writing style mixed drama, humour, and intelligence, making his work popular with audiences.
Beverley Cross and Half a Sixpence
The greatest stage success of Beverley Cross’s career came with Half a Sixpence. The musical was based on the novel Kipps by H. G. Wells.
Cross wrote the book for the musical, helping transform the story into a lively stage production. The show opened in London in 1963 and later transferred to Broadway. It became one of the most successful musicals of the decade.
Half a Sixpence starred Tommy Steele and was loved for its memorable songs and charming story. Beverley Cross received a Tony Award nomination for his work on the musical.
The success of Half a Sixpence made Cross one of the leading writers in British theatre. It also proved that he could adapt literature into a successful musical format.
Even today, Half a Sixpence remains one of the works most closely associated with his name.
Beverley Cross Movies and Screenwriting Career
Although Cross enjoyed great success in theatre, he also built an impressive career in films. His screenplays often focused on epic adventures, mythology, and historical stories.
Jason and the Argonauts
One of his earliest film successes was Jason and the Argonauts in 1963. The movie, based on Greek mythology, became famous for its exciting story and special effects.
Cross wrote the screenplay and helped bring the legendary tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece to life. Over the years, the film became a cult classic.
The Long Ships
In 1964, Beverley Cross wrote The Long Ships, another adventure film. The story followed Vikings and their search for a legendary golden bell.
The movie was notable for its large-scale action scenes and historical setting.
Genghis Khan
Cross also worked on the screenplay for Genghis Khan in 1965. The film told the story of the famous Mongol ruler and starred Omar Sharif.
Half a Sixpence Film Version
After the stage version of Half a Sixpence became successful, it was adapted into a film in 1967. Beverley Cross worked on the movie version as well.
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
In 1977, he wrote Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, another fantasy adventure movie filled with mythological creatures and action.
Clash of the Titans
Perhaps the most famous film associated with Beverley Cross is Clash of the Titans, released in 1981.
The movie starred Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Ursula Andress, and Maggie Smith. Cross wrote the screenplay, once again using Greek mythology as inspiration.
The story followed Perseus and his battle against monsters including Medusa and the Kraken. The film became a major hit and remains one of the most famous fantasy films of the 1980s.
For many movie fans, Clash of the Titans is the work that best represents Beverley Cross’s talent.
Complete List of Famous Beverley Cross Movies
Some of the best-known films written by Beverley Cross include:
- Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
- The Long Ships (1964)
- Genghis Khan (1965)
- Half a Sixpence (1967)
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
- Clash of the Titans (1981)
He was also believed to have done uncredited work on the script of Lawrence of Arabia, although his contribution was never officially confirmed.
Beverley Cross and Maggie Smith
One of the most discussed parts of Beverley Cross’s life is his marriage to actress Maggie Smith.
Cross and Maggie Smith first met in Oxford in the early 1950s. At the time, both were young and beginning their careers. They quickly developed feelings for one another, but their relationship did not immediately lead to marriage.
Instead, both of them married other people.
Years later, after their earlier marriages had ended, they reunited. Beverley Cross and Maggie Smith were married on 23 June 1975.
Their marriage lasted until his death in 1998. Friends often described their relationship as loving, intelligent, and full of humour.
Maggie Smith later said that life without Beverley Cross felt “pointless,” showing how close they had been.
Although Smith became internationally famous for roles in films such as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Beverley Cross was an important part of her personal life.
Beverley Cross First Wife
Before marrying Maggie Smith, Beverley Cross had already been married twice.
His first wife was Elizabeth Clunies-Ross. Very little information is publicly available about this marriage because Cross generally kept his private life away from the media.
After his first marriage ended, he married model Gayden Collins.
That marriage also ended before he eventually married Maggie Smith in 1975.
Because Cross had multiple marriages, many people searching for “Beverley Cross first wife” are referring to Elizabeth Clunies-Ross, who was the first woman he married.
Beverley Cross Children
Beverley Cross did not have biological children of his own. However, when he married Maggie Smith, he became stepfather to her two sons from her earlier marriage to actor Robert Stephens.
The two boys were Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens.
Cross reportedly had a good relationship with both of them and became an important figure in their lives.
Although he was not their biological father, he played the role of a supportive parent.
Toby Stephens and Beverley Cross
Toby Stephens is perhaps the best-known member of Beverley Cross’s extended family.
Born in 1969, Toby Stephens is the son of Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens. After Beverley Cross married Maggie Smith, Toby became his stepson.
Toby Stephens later became a successful actor. He is known for appearing in the James Bond film Die Another Day, where he played the villain Gustav Graves.
He also starred in the television series Black Sails and Lost in Space.
Because Toby Stephens became famous in his own right, many people searching for Beverley Cross are interested in his connection to the actor.
Although Beverley Cross was not Toby Stephens’s biological father, he was still an important family member during Toby’s childhood and early adulthood.
Beverley Cross Net Worth
There is no officially confirmed figure for Beverley Cross’s net worth.
Many websites claim that his fortune was worth several million pounds, but these estimates are mostly speculation.
As a successful playwright and screenwriter, Cross likely earned a substantial income from his stage productions and film work. Half a Sixpence was extremely successful, and films such as Clash of the Titans continued to generate interest long after their release.
Because of this, it is reasonable to believe that Beverley Cross had a comfortable and financially secure life.
However, there is no reliable public evidence showing his exact net worth at the time of his death.
Beverley Cross Cause of Death
Beverley Cross died on 20 March 1998 in London at the age of 66.
The cause of death has been reported in different ways over the years. Most reliable sources say that he died from an aneurysm. Some reports describe it as heart disease, while others mention that he suffered a series of aneurysms.
Regardless of the exact medical details, his death came unexpectedly and shocked many people who knew him.
At the time, Maggie Smith was devastated by the loss. The couple had been married for more than twenty years.
Cross’s death marked the end of a long and successful career in theatre and film.
Beverley Cross Died: Legacy and Lasting Influence
When Beverley Cross died in 1998, many newspapers focused on his marriage to Maggie Smith. However, his own achievements deserve just as much attention.
He was a writer with enormous talent and imagination. His stage work, especially Half a Sixpence, influenced musical theatre in Britain. His screenplays helped define fantasy adventure films for an entire generation.
Movies such as Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans continue to be watched by audiences around the world.
Today, Beverley Cross is remembered not only as Maggie Smith’s husband but also as an important British writer in his own right.
His work still lives on through theatre revivals, classic films, and the continued popularity of actors connected to him, including Toby Stephens.
For readers interested in classic British theatre, cinema, and famous entertainment families, Beverley Cross remains a fascinating figure whose life deserves to be remembered.
At Insider Newz, we continue to explore the lives of influential figures like Beverley Cross, bringing readers detailed stories about the people behind some of the world’s most memorable films and stage productions.
