Dame Maggie Smith
September 27, 2024 9:12 AM Subscribe
Passes away at the age of 89. With a career starting in the 1950's until just recently, Dame Maggie Smith roles understandably spanned the gamut from her first Oscar win for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" to more recent years as the acerbic Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey and of course, the stern, but winking Professor McGonagall.
A NYT piece of roles to stream (archive)
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She was, as Rihanna would say, "a bad bitch." She sure was! A true legend.
posted by Kitteh at 9:15 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
She was, as Rihanna would say, "a bad bitch." She sure was! A true legend.
posted by Kitteh at 9:15 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
I've always considered her part of that triumvirate of very famous older British actresses who seem like they'd be a blast to be friends with and listen to their stories of fame and wild youth - her, Judi Dench and Helen Mirren. They've always been woven together in my mind, fairly or not.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:20 AM on September 27, 2024 [19 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:20 AM on September 27, 2024 [19 favorites]
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:23 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:23 AM on September 27, 2024
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posted by whatevernot at 9:27 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by whatevernot at 9:27 AM on September 27, 2024
Always fascinating to watch, but a real treat as Dora in "Murder by Death"
posted by chavenet at 9:37 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 9:37 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
There is a fantastic 2018 documentary, Nothing Like A Dame (Tea With the Dames in the US, Australia and New Zealand), that films Dames Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Judy Dench and Eileen Atkins sitting around at Plowright's house chatting, gossiping and reminiscing about their lives acting. BBC4 wheels it out from time to time, and I imagine the next few days will be one of them. Recommended very highly.
posted by Hogshead at 9:45 AM on September 27, 2024 [15 favorites]
posted by Hogshead at 9:45 AM on September 27, 2024 [15 favorites]
Loved her as Lady Trentham in Gosford Park, "Bought marmalade? Oh dear, I call that very feeble."
posted by olopua at 9:46 AM on September 27, 2024 [13 favorites]
posted by olopua at 9:46 AM on September 27, 2024 [13 favorites]
She was the perfect fit for Professor McGonagall.
Not sure I've ever "seen" her in anything else, although, of course I have, but the gravitas, the love for the house Quidditch team, her care for her students...
Perfect casting.
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posted by Windopaene at 9:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
Not sure I've ever "seen" her in anything else, although, of course I have, but the gravitas, the love for the house Quidditch team, her care for her students...
Perfect casting.
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posted by Windopaene at 9:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
I absolutely loved her in Hook, among many, many other things. Violet on Downton was a salty delight. Legend!
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
oh I am completely devastated by this. she was just so good. so good. truly one of the great members of that pantheon of British actors.
she will be missed.
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Windopaene have you never seen A Room with A View????? you should anyway, its lovely and charming, but Maggie Smith is in it and she is one of the many reasons its worth a watch.
posted by supermedusa at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [9 favorites]
she will be missed.
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Windopaene have you never seen A Room with A View????? you should anyway, its lovely and charming, but Maggie Smith is in it and she is one of the many reasons its worth a watch.
posted by supermedusa at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [9 favorites]
I saw her in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie a few years ago. In the Harry Potter movies I think she drew a lot from her much earlier role as that Scottish schoolteacher.
posted by JonJacky at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by JonJacky at 9:57 AM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
Except her Miss Jean Brodie would have totally been on Voldemort's side. (She's so good in that role for the sort of awful romanticism that folks will paint the control and strong arming of fascism)
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:59 AM on September 27, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:59 AM on September 27, 2024 [4 favorites]
ooh I had forgotten about her turn in Gosford Park. its a masterclass in watching an adept director employ the most subtle hand (almost hands-off really) and trust his actors. Maggie Smith employs a degree of subtle body language and expressions to say SO.MUCH. to devastating effect. its a fun movie if you love upper crust snark delivered with sublime perfection.
posted by supermedusa at 10:01 AM on September 27, 2024 [9 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 10:01 AM on September 27, 2024 [9 favorites]
Tribute to Maggie Smith: Our Favourite Moments From The Dowager Countess of Grantham | Downton Abbey
posted by lalochezia at 10:03 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by lalochezia at 10:03 AM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
Maggie Smith died? Oh, that's tacky. That's really tacky.
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posted by East14thTaco at 10:07 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
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posted by East14thTaco at 10:07 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
It felt like she was great in everything she did.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:08 AM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:08 AM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 10:08 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by Faint of Butt at 10:08 AM on September 27, 2024
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posted by tangosnail at 10:09 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by tangosnail at 10:09 AM on September 27, 2024
If you've never seen her music hall turn in Oh! What a Lovely War, here it is. Well worth your time.
A giant. A favorite.
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posted by the sobsister at 10:12 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
A giant. A favorite.
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posted by the sobsister at 10:12 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
Four seasons at Canada's own Stratford Festival, a time she remembered fondly.
Godspeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:16 AM on September 27, 2024
Godspeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:16 AM on September 27, 2024
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It's gotten very dusty here just now.
posted by skippyhacker at 10:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
It's gotten very dusty here just now.
posted by skippyhacker at 10:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by sharp pointy objects at 11:23 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by sharp pointy objects at 11:23 AM on September 27, 2024
One of the people for whom I can honestly say that I feel blessed to occupy the earth at approximately the same time.
⭐
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:25 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
⭐
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:25 AM on September 27, 2024 [5 favorites]
What a talent. Just always such a delight to watch, whether acting or in an interview.
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:27 AM on September 27, 2024
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:27 AM on September 27, 2024
Seen on Mastodon.... Remembering Maggie Smith: ‘Every day she and Judi would swim in their Victorian swimsuits and every day we would all laugh and laugh’
posted by phigmov at 11:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by phigmov at 11:53 AM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
Ian McKellan's Maggie Smith Story.
posted by East14thTaco at 11:54 AM on September 27, 2024 [6 favorites]
posted by East14thTaco at 11:54 AM on September 27, 2024 [6 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 12:05 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:05 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:12 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:12 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by HypotheticalWoman at 12:19 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 12:19 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 12:23 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by JoeXIII007 at 12:23 PM on September 27, 2024
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truly, the crème de la crème and always in her prime
posted by scruss at 12:34 PM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
truly, the crème de la crème and always in her prime
posted by scruss at 12:34 PM on September 27, 2024 [2 favorites]
Re: her time in Stratford, Ontario, apparently Dame Maggie was a patron of that august Stratford institution, Ken's Chip Wagon.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:37 PM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:37 PM on September 27, 2024 [3 favorites]
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posted by token-ring at 1:04 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by token-ring at 1:04 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 1:49 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 1:49 PM on September 27, 2024
Aw man, I was just rewatching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel the other week, and thinking how fragile she seemed while at the same time being full of life. I’m so glad we have so many stellar performances to treasure. She was an icon.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:55 PM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:55 PM on September 27, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by Knowyournuts at 2:59 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by Knowyournuts at 2:59 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by jim in austin at 3:13 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by jim in austin at 3:13 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by dannyboybell at 3:35 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by dannyboybell at 3:35 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 5:46 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 5:46 PM on September 27, 2024
The first thing I remember her in was The Secret Garden (IMDb link)
posted by freethefeet at 5:49 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by freethefeet at 5:49 PM on September 27, 2024
I saw The Missionary when it was released (all things Python and adjacent) and she is fantastic-- an older confidant woman who knows exactly what she wants. It's a somewhat slight film, but viewed now it's a gem. Thanks, dear lady, farewell.
posted by winesong at 6:20 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by winesong at 6:20 PM on September 27, 2024
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:04 PM on September 27, 2024
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:04 PM on September 27, 2024
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The first thing I remember seeing Dame Maggie in was The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I was so amazed, I read the Muriel Spark book. Had it been the reverse, I might not have stuck with Spark, but I could hear Maggie Smith in every line I read. I was about eight years old.
When I was eleven, I saw her in California Suite, and though I am still a sucker for Neil Simon's work and anthology films in general, the only thing I remember about the movie is Smith was supposed to be 44, and the script was written as if she were "middle aged" in the way they mean being on the precipice of being elderly. Alan Alda, also in the film, was only two years younger than written as a guy in that vague 30something age. Her amazing turn through emotion after emotion sucked me in, and the treatment of women (particularly women in entertainment) according to their age was seared into my brain.
Her role in Sister Act showed me she could be funny. Ladies in Lavender (with Dench) was a mediocre film elevated by the talents of both actresses. When she was on the Carol Burnett Show, I was allowed to stay up to watch. I still quote her lines from Downton Abbey, delivered as nobody else could have done it.
Although she did a handful of movies before her mid-thirties, the vast majority of her work came after the age when women (like her Diana role in California Suite) stop getting work of quality. In 1972, she was in Travels With My Aunt; only 38, she was playing a role we'd likely expect a 60ish actress to take on these days.
She did lots (and lots) of Shakespeare on the stage, and both small and blockbuster films and TV. And when I look at the Wikipedia filmography, I realize how many I haven't seen (including any of the Harry Potter films). I'm saddened at her passing, but I think I'll look forward to seeking out all the work I've not yet seen and watch it all now.
Have you ever seen Mo Rocco interview her? She seemed sheepish and embarrassed (apparently, she doesn't like to see her own performances) and then delighted and captivated, watching herself sing and dance in Bob Mackie designs with Burnett.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 12:43 AM on September 28, 2024 [4 favorites]
The first thing I remember seeing Dame Maggie in was The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I was so amazed, I read the Muriel Spark book. Had it been the reverse, I might not have stuck with Spark, but I could hear Maggie Smith in every line I read. I was about eight years old.
When I was eleven, I saw her in California Suite, and though I am still a sucker for Neil Simon's work and anthology films in general, the only thing I remember about the movie is Smith was supposed to be 44, and the script was written as if she were "middle aged" in the way they mean being on the precipice of being elderly. Alan Alda, also in the film, was only two years younger than written as a guy in that vague 30something age. Her amazing turn through emotion after emotion sucked me in, and the treatment of women (particularly women in entertainment) according to their age was seared into my brain.
Her role in Sister Act showed me she could be funny. Ladies in Lavender (with Dench) was a mediocre film elevated by the talents of both actresses. When she was on the Carol Burnett Show, I was allowed to stay up to watch. I still quote her lines from Downton Abbey, delivered as nobody else could have done it.
Although she did a handful of movies before her mid-thirties, the vast majority of her work came after the age when women (like her Diana role in California Suite) stop getting work of quality. In 1972, she was in Travels With My Aunt; only 38, she was playing a role we'd likely expect a 60ish actress to take on these days.
She did lots (and lots) of Shakespeare on the stage, and both small and blockbuster films and TV. And when I look at the Wikipedia filmography, I realize how many I haven't seen (including any of the Harry Potter films). I'm saddened at her passing, but I think I'll look forward to seeking out all the work I've not yet seen and watch it all now.
Have you ever seen Mo Rocco interview her? She seemed sheepish and embarrassed (apparently, she doesn't like to see her own performances) and then delighted and captivated, watching herself sing and dance in Bob Mackie designs with Burnett.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 12:43 AM on September 28, 2024 [4 favorites]
OMG! We lost the first Dumbledore, Richard Harris, on Oct. 25th, 2002. Next we lost Snape, Alan Rickman, on Jan. 14, 2016. Then Hagrid, (Robbie Coltrane) left us on Oct. 14, 2022, followed by Dumbledore 2, Michael Gambon, on Sept. 23, 2023. Now it's Professor McGonagle, the inestimable Maggie Smith, who has gone to the Actors Theater in the sky. I'm so sad about this!
posted by Lynsey at 8:04 AM on September 28, 2024
posted by Lynsey at 8:04 AM on September 28, 2024
https://x.com/rhipratchett/status/1839657772725465440?s=61
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posted by Pentickle at 8:48 AM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by Pentickle at 8:48 AM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
Another great performance of hers was in the 1982 film Evil Under the Sun, with Peter Ustinov but more importantly with Diana Rigg, against whom she delivers the wonderfully acid line:
"Arlena and I were in the chorus of a show together, not that I could ever compete. Even in those days, she could always throw her legs up in the air higher than any of us... and wider."
posted by The Outsider at 10:08 AM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
"Arlena and I were in the chorus of a show together, not that I could ever compete. Even in those days, she could always throw her legs up in the air higher than any of us... and wider."
posted by The Outsider at 10:08 AM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
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Re-watched The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tonight in her honour and after having last caught the film and book when I was the age of her protégées. Nobody sounds like that in Morningside now - and Edinburgh has thawed out à little - but it is absolutely worth à rewatch - for both Smith and the rest of the cast. <
posted by rongorongo at 5:03 PM on September 28, 2024
Re-watched The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tonight in her honour and after having last caught the film and book when I was the age of her protégées. Nobody sounds like that in Morningside now - and Edinburgh has thawed out à little - but it is absolutely worth à rewatch - for both Smith and the rest of the cast. <
posted by rongorongo at 5:03 PM on September 28, 2024
I’ve seen all the Potter films, but when I think of Maggie Smith I still picture Jean Brodie screaming ”Assassin! Assassin!” down the stairwell.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:35 PM on September 28, 2024
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:35 PM on September 28, 2024
Here's the scene that The Outsider is talking about from Evil Under The Sun
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:21 AM on September 29, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:21 AM on September 29, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by UhOhChongo! at 11:46 AM on September 30, 2024
posted by UhOhChongo! at 11:46 AM on September 30, 2024
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