Watch Maggie Smith’s Best Acting Performance in ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’
To be a master of sauciness—sharp-tongued like a dagger—and also perhaps one of the warmest presences most of us can remember seeing on screen: That is the singular gift of Maggie Smith.
The formidable, accomplished actress died Friday in London at age 89. Her acting career began at age 17 and never lulled, picking up two Oscars, four Emmys, a slew of theater awards, and the distinction of Dame Commander of the British Empire for her cultural contributions.
The last decades of her life and career capitalized on that warm sauciness—like a scalding tea—to some of her greatest successes. Because of the projects’ recency, many people will remember her for her roles in Downton Abbey and as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. They’ll fondly remember the plane rides spent watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel, which I think we had a global collective experience screening as in-flight movies.