Top 10 Maggie Smith Moments
#10: Playing Miss Mary Shepherd “The Lady in the Van” (2015)
This 2015 film depicts the true story of writer Alan Bennett’s friendship with a curmudgeonly homeless woman, Miss Shepherd. Well, she wasn’t exactly homeless: Shepherd lived in a decrepit old van, and was allowed to park at Bennett’s home for 15 years. Upon getting to know her, Bennett learned that she was once a gifted pianist, aspiring nun and formerly institutionalized. For such a complex character, Maggie Smith was the obvious choice. Smith plays the role to perfection, with her deadpan British retorts and occasionally sweet moments. The actress had a difficult time with filming, as it proved physically demanding for the aging Smith. However, she took it in stride, and her performance was widely praised.
#9: Her Role as Muriel Donnelly “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011)
You couldn’t not include this lovely Dame in an English film about retirees in India! “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” boasts a cast of the aged elite in British acting, including Dame Judy Dench, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson. Smith plays Muriel Donnelly, a retired housekeeper having relocated to India for affordable hip surgery. Smith is her usual quintessentially British lady, culture-shocked and prim, yet salty and forever speaking her mind. Though the first film was better received, the sequel includes a scene in which Muriel expresses her extreme frustration with how her tea is being served, and Smith is absolutely in her element. There’s something remarkable about how she dictates the proper way to infuse herbs while shaking in anger.
#8: She Has Never Seen “Downton Abbey” “The Graham Norton Show” (2007-)
Maggie Smith is one of those actors who doesn’t like to watch herself on screen. She does attend award ceremonies and other events where watching her work may be necessary, but she doesn’t go out of her way to watch her own impressive body of work. During an interview on “The Graham Norton Show”, Smith admitted that she has never watched “Downton Abbey”. This seemed shocking when mentioned - however, can we really blame her? It has to be quite awkward to see yourself on screen, no matter how much experience you have. In another interview, referring to watching Downton, Smith quite humorously stated that “it got to a point where it was too late to catch up”.
#7: Kiss Cam with Leonardo DiCaprio
In 2016, BAFTA host Stephen Fry brought up American practices, and cited the “Kiss Cam”. He then introduced a BAFTA kiss cam, catching unsuspecting celebrities and having them smooch. It’s an odd thing to see what many probably presume as a stuffy British awards ceremony take such a silly turn. Arguably the oddest pair to be coupled up in the heart-shaped border was Maggie Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio. The kiss was cordial and on the cheek—and actually seemed to spark a conversation between the two celebrated performers. It was nice to see the Dame in such a candid moment, and sure enough, she was a good sport about it.
#6: Teaching Carol Burnett How to Speak with an English Accent
Maggie Smith didn't always play such serious roles. In fact, she appeared on The Carol Burnett Show more than once throughout the 1970s. Perhaps most memorable was when Smith taught Burnett how to speak with a British accent. And she did it in the most fabulous gold outfit, might we add. The lesson took the form of a song, with Smith dictating which sounds to change in order to achieve a Cockney accent. It’s extremely entertaining, and quite endearing too. Smith also appeared in some comedic skits, and in more than one musical number. It’s a real treat to go back and see the highly acclaimed actress in a more informal setting.
#5: “You’re the Top” with Diana Rigg “Evil Under the Sun” (1982)
In 1982, Smith appeared in a Hercule Poirot Agatha Christie mystery film. The movie, “Evil Under the Sun”, featured Smith as a hotel owner. The hotel is, of course, the scene of the criminal investigation, with all suspects and involved parties staying there. During an evening dinner party, one of the guests, a sultry and arrogant woman, Arlena, decides to perform for her fellow guests, whether they like it or not. Smith’s character, Daphne, does her best to knock the woman down a peg or two, interrupting her performance on more than one occasion. The interaction is brief, but really entertaining, and much needed given Arlena’s less than star-making rendition of “You’re the Top”.
#4: Her First Oscar Win
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Smith’s acting career began with theatrical productions in 1952. Less than 20 years later, she won her first Oscar for playing the lead in the film, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”. Smith starred as a controversial, unusually free-spirited teacher at a girl’s school, taking a more romanticized approach to the world than the formal setting would typically invite. The film depicts her career, and the drama caused by herself and her students. Smith’s performance was widely praised, and garnered her two awards for best actress: an Oscar as well as a BAFTA award. She unfortunately wasn’t present at the Academy Awards to accept her award, but it was much deserved.
#3: Her Friendship with Sir Ian McKellen
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Maggie Smith has maintained a friendship with fellow actor Sir Ian McKellen for over 25 years. The two worked together on the set of “Richard III”, and have remained friends ever since. McKellen is far more outgoing and publicly visible than Smith, and he definitely likes to impersonate his more serious friend. On more than one occasion, McKellen has used “The Graham Norton Show” as a showcase for his Maggie Smith impressions. He even once impersonated her in full costume on a memorable episode of “Saturday Night Live.” We can only assume that the Dame takes it all in jest, as the two continue to be seen together, including at the 2017 Wimbledon tennis championship.
#2: Playing Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham “Downton Abbey” (2010-15)
Despite all of her memorable roles, the one that is perhaps most prominent in people’s minds now is that of The Dowager Countess on “Downton Abbey”. Smith had once played a similar role in 2001’s “Gosford Park”, whose script was co-written by Downton writer/creator Julian Fellowes. Her practice with the screenwriter’s witty, sharp-tongued dialogue paid off, as Smith is simply irreplaceable as the Dowager. Her character is played to perfection, and has left us with many quotable lines. She is old-fashioned, proper, undeterred by any modernity, quintessentially British and honestly - just plain hilarious. We all wish we had the Dowager as a grandmother. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Explaining That She Misses Her Public Freedom Smith Is Irked by the Public Recognition She Receives Due to “Downton Abbey” As Charlotte Bartlett, “A Room with a View” (1985) She Shines as the Spinster Cousin & Chaperone Her Role as the Duchess of York, “Richard III” (1995) She’s Formidable as Mother to the Titular Richard III Playing Mrs. Medlock, “The Secret Garden” (1993) Smith Is Terrifyingly Effective as the Strict Housekeeper As the Reverend Mother, “Sister Act” (1992) We’d Worship with Her Any Day
#1: Playing Professor Minerva McGonagall “Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11)
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Dame Maggie Smith hasn’t much catered to the younger crowd throughout her career. However, that changed with her turn as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise. The massive 10-year, 8 film production really put Smith (as well as the cast in general) in the spotlight. She is really quite perfect in the role, as any fan will tell you. She is strict, yet emotional when circumstances call for it. She does her part to bring down the evil within the walls of Hogwarts, and eventually rightfully becomes Headmistress. McGonagall is, in a way, an amalgamation of Smith’s previous roles - a teacher, a friend and a person who commands respect merely with her presence.
