Maggie Smith, Two-Time Oscar Winner and ‘Downton Abbey’ Star, Dies at 89

by

Maggie Smith, Two-Time Oscar Winner and ‘Downton Abbey’ Star, Dies at 89

Reflecting upon the illustrious career and captivating life of Dame Maggie Smith, one cannot help but feel both awe and admiration for this remarkable woman who graced our screens for so many decades. Born in humble Ilford, Essex, she rose to global stardom with her unparalleled talent, charm, and versatility that spanned across genres and generations.

Actress Maggie Smith, renowned for her two Academy Awards and four Emmys, whose performances in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “Downton Abbey,” as well as her work spanning before and beyond these roles, cemented her as one of the greatest British actors ever, has sadly passed away at the age of 89.

On Friday, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, her sons, shared a heartfelt message to the BBC: “With deep sorrow, we must inform you that Dame Maggie Smith has passed away. She departed peacefully in the hospital early this morning, on the 27th of September. A deeply private individual, she was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing. Her legacy lives on through her two sons and five cherished grandchildren who are profoundly saddened by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother.

It’s our pleasure to express our gratitude to the exceptional team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, who showed immense compassion and care during her last moments.

Appreciate your thoughtful messages and backing! Please remember to give us some space during this time.

In recent times, Smith has gained significant recognition for her matriarchal roles in seven Harry Potter films and the ITV-PBS series Downton Abbey. However, it was her portrayal of the title character in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) that earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in 1970.

Nine years subsequent to that, she received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the 1978 comedy “California Suite.” In this film, she played a role as an actress nominated for an Oscar, traveling from England for the award ceremony.

I, too, was recognized with four additional Oscar nominations. These nods came from my exceptional performance as the leading actress in “Travels With My Aunt” (1972), as well as for my captivating supporting roles in “Othello” (1965), “A Room With a View” (1985), and “Gosford Park” (2001).

Smith’s career spanned into her 80s, where she portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall, a stern yet caring character in the Harry Potter series, and Violet Crawley, the fiery Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Renowned for her aristocratic tastes (“What’s a weekend?”) and sharp wit (“You have a brain and reasonable skills. Stop complaining and find something productive to do.”), Violet garnered Smith three Emmy awards for Best Supporting Actress. However, she openly confessed that she had never watched the show, even after it concluded, humorously remarking, “At some point, it was too late to get caught up.

In 1989, Queen Elizabeth II honored Smith with the title of “Dame” due to her exceptional performances on stage. Later, in 2014, the queen elevated her status further, making her the 47th member of the Order of Companions of Honor, a prestigious group that includes individuals like Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench.

She won a best actress Tony Award in 1990 for her performance in the comedy Lettice and Lovage.  

Smith’s remarkable ability allowed her to seamlessly perform roles ranging from tragic to comedic, consistently placing her among the top British actresses. Her knack for comedy delved into the heart of each character’s quirks and underlying issues, while her talent for drama explored the deepest fears and inner demons, resulting in a diverse range of performances.

Essentially, she uncovered the core of her characters and expressed it using her own acting abilities. As director Alan Bennett, who collaborated with Smith on the 2015 comedy “The Lady in the Van,” stated, “Maggie always stands at the edge where laughter turns into tears.

Frequently, she showcased captivating performances in comedic roles. For instance, she played Dora, the sophisticated spouse of David Niven’s detective in “Murder by Death” (1976). She was hilarious as the humorless Mother Superior in “Sister Act” (1992) and its subsequent installment; charming alongside Robin Williams as Granny Wendy in “Hook” (1991); and amusing as a grumpy retiree traveling to India in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011).

At the 2016 Emmys, Smith was well-known for avoiding the limelight – a fact that Jimmy Kimmel playfully teased by creating the “Maggie Smith Rule,” stating no one could win an award unless they accepted it in person (she won despite not being there, and responded to his jokes with good humor). This reluctance towards media appearances was also evident when promoting shows like Downton Abbey.

For years, I led a relatively ordinary life, largely unrecognized before the days of ‘Downton Abbey.’ Jokingly, I’d say no one had a clue who I was,” I shared during the 2017 BFI + Radio Times TV festival. I attributed my newfound fame, which started to impede my simple pleasures like going out in public, to the unpredictable nature of television. Reflecting on the show’s conclusion after six seasons, I told The Telegraph, “It was time to stop. It was an unusual circumstance – nobody anticipated it would run as long as it did, and it was quite tiring.

Smith made a comeback in the “Downton Abbey” film of 2019 and its follow-up, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” which was released in 2022.

Beyond her Emmy wins for Downton Abbey, Smith also earned the award for outstanding lead actress in 2003, portraying a romance novelist who graciously welcomed three survivors of a terrorist attack into her Umbrian home, in the drama titled My House in Umbria.

As a gamer, I’ve encountered my fair share of characters who don’t tolerate nonsense, much like the actress I admire. Richard Eyre, who directed her in “Suddenly Last Summer” (1993), put it perfectly when he said, “She doesn’t indulge foolishness, and that’s regardless of status. You need to be careful with your words, for if you speak carelessly or poorly, she won’t let it slide. It’s an incredible discipline, as it pushes you to think clearly.

She addressed her bluntness in an interview with The Guardian, saying: “Every time I start anything, I think, ‘This time I’m going to be like Jude [Dench], and it will all be lovely, it will be merry and bright, the Quaker will come out in me.’” But, she added, “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. They’d be paralyzed with fear. And wonder what I was up to.”  

Margaret Natalie Smith, born on December 28, 1934, hailed from Ilford, a lower-middle-class region of Essex, England. She was the baby of three siblings; her twin brothers Ian and Alistair, who were six years her senior, pursued careers as architects. Their father was employed as a medical laboratory technician. Starting her acting journey, she attended Oxford Playhouse School and made her first stage appearance in 1952, thriving within the vibrant revue environment there.

In 1958, she made her debut on the big screen with the film “Nowhere to Go” after relocating to America, and later starred in “The V.I.P.s” (1963), an airport-based drama featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at Smith’s captivating portrayal of Desdemona in the 1965 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello,” directed by the legendary Laurence Olivier. This remarkable performance earned her her first Oscar nomination. Fast forward four years, and she clinched an Oscar for her exceptional interpretation of an eccentric English schoolmistress in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” It’s worth noting that this film was masterfully directed by Ronald Neame, whose grandson, Gareth Neame, played a significant role as an executive producer in the beloved series, “Downton Abbey.

Apart from excelling in the Agatha Christie mysteries, particularly in “Death on the Nile” (1978) and “Evil Under the Sun” (1982), Smith proved her versatility during the 80s. She displayed her comedic prowess by appearing alongside Monty Python veteran Michael Palin in “The Missionary” (1982). In addition, she left audiences in stitches with her portrayal of a snobbish high-society character in “A Private Function” (1984).

On the opposite end of the acting scale, she delved into the desolation experienced by ordinary characters. In 1987, she powerfully portrayed the crippling loneliness of an overlooked Irish woman in “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne.” Smith was equally impressive with Shakespearean and classic roles, such as the Duchess of York in the film adaptation of “Richard III” (1995), and Othello.

I’ve had the privilege to be part of some fantastic films throughout my career. For instance, in 1969, I starred in “Oh! What A Lovely War,” where I portrayed a music hall performer. In 1981, I took on the role of a renowned retired opera singer in “Quartet.” The following year, I stepped into the shoes of Mrs. Medlock, the head housekeeper, in “The Secret Garden” (1993). I also played a wealthy New York City socialite in “The First Wives Club” (1996). Lastly, in 2002, I was Caro, one of the original Ya-Yas, in “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Her television performances were equally promising, with her earning an Emmy and receiving nominations for roles such as those in Downton Abbey and My House in Umbria. Additionally, she was recognized for her performances as Mrs. Venable in Suddenly Last Summer, Mary Gilbert in Capturing Mary from 2010, and Betsey Trotwood in the 1999 BBC miniseries David Copperfield alongside Daniel Radcliffe, who attributed his casting as Harry Potter to Smith’s influence.

From 1975, I was hitched to playwright Beverley Cross until my passing in 1998. Prior to that, I was married to Robert Stephens, the star of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, and also my co-star in Miss Jean Brodie. Together we had two sons who made their mark in acting: Chris Larkin, known for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Toby Stephens, famous for Die Another Day.

Read More

2024-09-27 16:55