Dame Maggie Smith passes at 89

[LVSteve]

A fixture of British stage and screen, she is probably best known in the US for her work in the Harry Potter movies and the series Downton Abbey. Her portfolio of work is massive. RIP, ma'am.

Maggie Smith'''s most memorable performances from Shakespeare to the big screen

Links to more about her at the bottom of the article.

 

[Rudi]

She was awesome, loved her in Harry Potter. RIP.

 

[Rustyt1953]

She was the perfect Professor Minerva McGonagall.

Ruthie, the boys and I will be queuing up some HP tonight.

 

[lihpster]

One of my favorite actors of all time. R.I.P. Milady.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Yes, another great one gone. I always think of her & Michael Palin in A Private Function.

From the BBC obit:

Rob Lowe, who starred with Dame Maggie in 1993's Suddenly, Last Summer, recalled "the unforgettable experience of working with her". "Sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion," he said. "She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools.

Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, who starred alongside Dame Maggie in Gosford Park, said she "took acting very seriously but saw through the nonsense and razzmatazz". "She really didn't want to deal with that," Dame Kristin added.

"She had a sense of humour and wit that could reduce me to a blithering puddle of giggles. And she did not have patience with fools. So you had to be a bit careful. I absolutely adored her."

Paying tribute, [Daniel]Radcliffe said: "She was a fierce intellect, had a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.

Dame Maggie Smith, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Harris and Alan Rickman starred in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002

 

[Kinman]

I found her attractive in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", don't know what it was about her, the accent had something to do with it. Rest in peace old girl...

 

[RetCapt]

Loved her. Would not have wanted to get crosswise with her wit and intellect.

 

[handejector]

A magnificent talent.
She could say more with a raised eyebrow or a twisted lip than a dozen of some of our so called thespians of today!
I'll miss you, Dear Lady!

 

[robvious]

R.I.P. She was a true classic... a joy to watch as she captivated the silver screen... I imagine her live performances were spectacular as well..

 

[CH4]

A good reason to finally watch HP. Been to Trinity College in Dublin, where HP went to school, just haven't seen the movies.
RIP ma'am.

 

[rwsmith]

She was indeed....

...a great one and she'll be missed.

 

[mtgianni]

Rest in Peace great lady and thank you for your many memories you gifted us with.

 

[oldbrownhat]

A magnificent talent.
She could say more with a raised eyebrow or a twisted lip than a dozen of some of our so called thespians of today!
I'll miss you, Dear Lady!

Michael Palin said much the same. From an article in The Guardian today:

"Maggie was so skilful and intuitive. She could portray the maximum of emotion with the minimum of effort. Nothing was ever wasted with Maggie.

The slightest glance could contain so much information, the smallest gesture be loaded with such significance that you had to be absolutely on your toes to stay with her. The two films we made together were comedies, and Maggie's impeccable comic timing was an absolute joy to watch and a privilege to be part of..."

"Her wit was sharp and always icily well-targeted. I remember having a meal with her and Alan Bennett at a rather smart Yorkshire restaurant during the filming of A Private Function, when I discovered a piece of glass in my mixed salad. No great fuss was made. To the manager, Maggie simply described it as "a very mixed salad".

 

[SMSgt]

If you've never seen The Lady In The Van, you have missed one of her finest performances that few have seen. I won't give any spoilers, but it definitely falls into the laugh/cry category.

The Lady in the Van - Wikipedia

 

[oldbrownhat]

If you've never seen The Lady In The Van, you have missed one of her finest performances that few have seen. I won't give any spoilers, but it definitely falls into the laugh/cry category.

The Lady in the Van - Wikipedia

^^^ The story behind it is extraordinary. They say Britain is a nation of eccentrics and this is as good an example as any.

Going slightly OT, Alan Bennett (cf Wiki article) was one of the members of the brilliant Beyond the Fringe comedy team in the '60's, along with Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller and Peter Cook.