Dame Maggie Smith

 

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith CH DBE (28 December 1934 − 27 September 2024) was a British actress. Known for her wit in both comedic and dramatic roles, she had an extensive career on stage and screen over seven decades and was one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actresses. She received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards. Smith was one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting – Wikipedia

I would be remiss if I did not take some time to note the passing of Dame Maggie Smith at the age of 89 and to add my small dandelion to the heaps of tributes that are being piled on her at her passing. Her image began as an approachable, unconventionally pretty, spirited young lady, transitioning into a classy, gracefully aging grand lady with perhaps a sense of adventure, and finally blossoming into a sometimes haughty, sometimes warm grande dame; all these are underlined with a feeling of common humanity. These are, of course, generalizations. Her real acting range was far greater. The list of her roles is extensive, but here are the ones I have seen, with an asterisk* next to those I actually own.

The V. I. P.’s (1963)* Miss Mead

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) Jean Brodie

Travels with My Aunt (1972) Aunt Augusta

Murder by Death (1976)* Dora Charleston

Death on the Nile (1979) Miss Bowers

Clash of the Titans (1981)* Thetis

Evil Under the Sun (1982) Daphne Castle

The Missionary (1982) Lady Isabel Ames

A Private Function (1984) Joyce Chilvers

Hook (1991) Granny Wendy

The Secret Garden (1993)* Mrs. Medlock

David Copperfield (1999) Betsy Trotwood

Harry Potter (2001 – 2011)* Professor McGonagall

Gosford Park (2001) Constance Trentham

From Time to Time (2010)* Mrs. Oldknow

Nanny McPhee Returns (2010)* Mrs. Docherty

As you can see, she already an established presence in Fantasy films (which I consider within my bailiwick) but her run as Professor McGonagall through the  Harry Potter movies (persisted with even through a bout with cancer) has firmly cemented her image there.

There are other shows and films she will be widely remembered for, from the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey to the Mother Superior in Sister Act (which I can only attribute to the British theatre tradition of ‘it’s a paycheck; just keep acting’). As Christopher Lee said, “Every actor has to make terrible films from time to time, but the trick is never to be terrible in them”. I have never seen her in a role she did not elevate.