September 27th 2024.
Dame Maggie Smith was not just a renowned actress, but she was also known for her charming personality off-screen. She had a unique power as an actress - one stern look from her could turn you to stone, but in the next moment, she could melt your heart. Her presence on stage and screen was formidable and beloved, making her a bona fide legend. She was recognized for her roles in popular productions such as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, as well as her performances in A Room With A View and Sister Act. Sadly, on Friday, the world lost this incredible talent at the age of 89.
Dame Maggie leaves behind a lasting legacy both on and off camera. She lived life to the fullest and was deeply passionate about her craft. It's a testament to her enduring talent and appeal that generations of fans will have wildly different favorite characters, films, and moments - all brought to life brilliantly by Dame Maggie. Whether she was portraying the gravity and nuance of Shakespeare or embodying the spirit of Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter, she truly could do it all. She shone as the leading lady, but even in smaller supporting roles, all eyes were on her as she effortlessly portrayed a range of human emotions.
In recent years, Dame Maggie was best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Her witty portrayal of Lady Violet Crawley captured the hearts of many. Director Nicholas Hytner summed up her talent perfectly, saying, "She can capture in a single moment more than many actors can convey in an entire film. She can be vulnerable, fierce, bleak, and hilarious simultaneously, and she brings to the set each day the energy and curiosity of a young actor who's just started out."
Dame Maggie's illustrious career began at the young age of 17 when she played Viola in the Oxford University Dramatic Society's production of Twelfth Night in 1952. Just four years later, she made her Broadway debut. She caught the attention of Laurence Olivier at The Old Vic and became a fixture at his newly-formed National Theatre Company. By this point, she was already a Bafta nominee for her role in Nowhere To Go, and it's fitting that she earned an accolade for her first screen credit.
Her breakthrough came with her first Oscar win for 1969's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She continued to excel in roles in productions such as Death On The Nile, A Private Function, and A Room With A View, which only furthered her career. She earned her second Oscar for her supporting role in California Suite in 1978. In the 90s, she showcased her comedic charm and razor-like wit in roles like Wendy in Hook and Mother Superior in Sister Act. Her impact on the British film and TV industry was undeniable, and she was awarded a damehood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for her contributions to the performing arts.
In 2001, a whole new generation of film fans fell in love with Dame Maggie when she effortlessly captured the spirit and heart of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. It was the perfect role for her, as she carried the authority of a Hogwarts teacher while also delivering warmth and compassion for her students. Along with her numerous accolades, Dame Maggie was also loved for her humorous and warm nature.
In 2010, she played a central role in the success of the ITV series Downton Abbey, winning an Emmy for her portrayal of the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. However, she later shared in an interview that while she was grateful for her work on Potter and Downton, she didn't find it satisfying as an actress. "I didn't really feel like I was acting in those things," she said. Fans would disagree, but Dame Maggie was always a perfectionist and critical of her own abilities, as she never received much encouragement from her family when she first revealed her ambitions. Her grandmother even told her she couldn't pursue acting with a face like hers, but she proved them wrong in every sense.
The late Maggie Smith was a regular at the Oscars ceremony, and even when she wasn't winning awards, her brilliant acting was acknowledged with coveted nominations. Her most famous role was as the bag lady in The Lady In The Van, the 2015 adaptation of Alan Bennett's memoirs. She also starred in the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era, where her character's health deteriorates, leading to an emotional ending. She added so much depth and heart to every stage of Violet's journey.
In recent years, she appeared in The Miracle Club, a film about a group of women from Dublin who go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, each carrying their own personal baggage and heartache. In a 2017 interview, she reflected on her reputation as a formidable and fierce actress and shared that her constant nerves were the driving force behind it. "The awful thing is, I'm very aware when I'm being difficult, but I'm usually so scared," she said. "And that's shaming, at the age one is. It's gone too far now to take back. If I suddenly came on like Pollyanna, it wouldn't work - it would frighten people more if I were nice."
Dame Maggie's acerbic wit and wry British sense of humor have long been admired. Her legacy as one of the greats will continue to live on, and her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin revealed her death on Friday, leaving fans around the world heartbroken. "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith," they said. "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."
Dame Maggie's talent and charisma were natural, and she will be dearly missed.
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