October 6th 2024.
The news of Dame Maggie Smith's recent passing has deeply affected her dear friend, Dame Judi Dench. The two dames shared a close friendship spanning several decades and their bond was unbreakable. So when Dame Judi was asked about her friend's death during a special talk at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, she couldn't hold back her emotions and tears began to flow.
Dame Maggie, who was 89 years old, passed away in September after an impressive career that included many collaborations with Dame Judi. The two had appeared together in numerous films and plays, such as A Room With A View, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Ladies in Lavender, and Tea with Mussolini. They also made a delightful appearance in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame, alongside fellow dames Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright.
Their friendship began in the 1950s when they were both rising stars in the London theatre scene at the Old Vic. Over the years, they worked together multiple times and their chemistry on stage and screen was undeniable. In 2002, they even performed together in the West End production of Breath of Life.
But it wasn't just their professional collaborations that made their friendship special. They also shared a deep personal connection and were there for each other through thick and thin. So when O'Hea, the moderator of the talk, asked Dame Judi about her recent losses and the topic of grief, she couldn't hold back her emotions.
O'Hea mentioned the passing of not only Dame Maggie, but also Barbara Leigh-Hunt, who had appeared with Dame Judi in her BBC sitcom As Time Goes By. Leigh-Hunt, who was 88 years old, passed away in September as well. The mention of these losses and the energy of grief overwhelmed Dame Judi, and she became emotional and had to pause before continuing her answer.
Their friendship and collaborations spanned over decades, and they were more than just co-stars, they were like sisters. In the 2004 film Ladies in Lavender, they even played sisters on screen. But it wasn't just their on-screen chemistry that captivated audiences, it was their genuine love and affection for each other off-screen that made them such an iconic duo.
Dame Maggie's career was filled with numerous iconic roles in films like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Death on the Nile, and Sister Act. But it was her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films that inspired a whole new generation of fans. And in recent years, she won the hearts of millions as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit ITV drama Downton Abbey.
The news of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, former co-stars, and admirers. Even the King and Queen and the Prime Minister paid their respects to the beloved dame, describing her as a "national treasure." Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, shared the news of her death and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Dame Maggie Smith may have been an intensely private person, but her impact on the world of entertainment and the lives of those around her was immeasurable. She will always be remembered as a talented actress, a beloved friend, and a national treasure.
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