Maggie Smith has died

jimbokun

Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery were brilliant in Downton Abbey. Their characters always seemed two to three steps ahead of everyone with their wit. And were hilarious to boot.

Robert Crawley was nominally in charge of everything. But it was clear that Violet and Mary were pulling all the strings through their understanding of how the social contracts really worked. And it was fitting that in the finale Violet hands over the future of the estate to Mary.

piltdownman

A towering presence of British stage and screen, with Dame Judi Dench being about the last of that golden generation since the passing of Diana Riggs (Olenna Tyrell).

Time for a rewatch of Gosford Park while archly sipping gin out of a china teacup with a raised pinkie.

dmd

I saw a black cat this morning I'm pretty sure was her.

dcuthbertson

She was an absolutely wonderful actress. The Washington Post also has an article announcing her death [0]. It goes into a lot of depth about her work and who she was.

[0]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/09/27/maggie-...

simonbarker87

For her passing to make the front page of HN when she has no presence in the tech world really speaks to her impact. I imagine very few people would reach that level. Wonderful actress, she was the best character in Downton.

gennarro

Sorry to see this, she's been an absolute legend over the years. She was always great even when I didn't think I would love the show or movie.

noefingway

Truly one of the greatest actors of all time. For those of you that haven't seen this, I strongly recommend watching this show. Just a group of ladies having tea and a chat. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7363336/

throw0101d

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Smith

IanKerr

She was excellent at whatever she was in. An absolute icon of cinema. RIP Maggie Smith.

workingdog

I don't think you can understand the 1960s without seeing her glorious movie, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

It captures the tension of social norms and rebellion and, if one pays attention, the natural consequences of unbridled enthusiasm.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXA0N55c3iw

junon

If you haven't seen it already, check out "Tea with the Dames". It's great, and I'd assume one of the last things Dame Maggie Smith was in.

mandibles

Rest in peace to one of the true greats.

My favorite line from Downtown Abby: "What's a week end?"

thoughtpalette

I'll never forget her in the Hook VHS I had growing up. RIP

penguin_booze

The Lady in the Van cuts a lot of onion for me. RIP.

asix66

I will add "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" to another good movie she was in, along with an excellent cast.

gumboshoes

Peace to a good one.

vr46

Excellent on stage in A German Life, even when the writing wasn't up to her acting. And the Lady In The Van!

RIP Maggie Smith

saucymew

Maggie Smith's character in both Abbey and HP brooked no BS. We're reaching the time now when more of the Harry Potter teachers are leaving this world, I am not looking forward to the students.

jl6

Big boots to fill if they go ahead with the Harry Potter TV series.

killingtime74

What a life well lived. 89 is a great age

TMWNN

The only person in history to win an Oscar while portraying an Oscar nominee. <https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/...>

ilrwbwrkhv

One of the best artists of stage and cinema. Will miss her.