+MediaMan Even as an American, I have to agree. While she may be beloved by other countries, she is British by birth and as a person. The same way the Great Pyramids are admired by all the world, but they are primarily Egyptian and belong to the Egyptian people. Thus, they are an Egyptian National Treasure. Logic.
It's because they're not afraid to laugh and joke be themselves I suppose. They don't rely on their looks for confidence. American women are more concerned with looking in control and sexy I think, so they don't loosen up so much.
+Chelsea von Holst Just remember, if you meet ANYONE older than you to take a minute & listen to them. For instance, my husband had a delightful conversation with an 88 year old man, and then the man wanted to show him how strong he was so he turned around & flashed him to show him his quads. Yup, always listen to your elders, you can get an experience you'll never forget!
I love her for her honesty. She and Ian McKellen supported our theater here in Christchurch New Zealand after it was destroyed by the earthquake in 2011.
"Just pull yourself together", she is Prof. McGonegall 100 %. I love this woman. I loved her especially as Charlotte in " A Room with a View from 1998 with Helena Bonham Carter.
Lovely22 Sorry i should've said best instead of good because i'm tired you can make that kind of mistake when you are tired. To me the best in the cast are Alan Rickman Dame Maggie Smith Ralph Feins Jason Isaacs Helena Bonham Carter Richard Harris ( but with the old age he was at i don't think he could've handled the action scenes ) Imelda Staunton Robbie Coltrane
It's pretty common for actors to not watch their performances. A few actors have mentioned that a role becomes part of their life for such a long time that watching their performances is like taking their work home with them
Please, Graham if you ever read this comment give me an episode with Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. They don't even have to promote anything, it could be just an episode of them telling stories about their careers. 🙏
Sebastian Stormborn that would be a delightful and awesome sight to have all of them talk about anything under the sun and get rid of their inhibitions
No joke, my 8 year old daughter watched the ENTIRE Downton Series because she recognised Professor McGonagall while I was watching the season 6 BluRay.
"A lot of very small people, kind of, use to say 'Hello' to me and that was nice" - She's so lovely, I still love her in everything she does! Especially Harry Potter!
+Mads D Hook was the film that introduced me to Maggie Smith back in the 90s. I remember being so confused during the first Harry Potter film, as to how Maggie, who already appeared older in Hook looked to have hardly aged. Wasn't until later that I found out she was made to look a lot older in Hook lol.
she winned it all. apart from all the awards and nominations she got, she is one of the most respected and one of the few Dame actresses in UK, and she has a handsome son! also beautiful lady.
Dating myself, but saw Maggie Smith as Lady MacBeth to Bedford's MacBeth in Stratford, Ontario. It was this performance that tuned my into the entertainment business. Funny that several nights later, I ran into her at a pub in Stratford, and she was surrounded and protected by her group.. but she "pooh poohed" them, and invited me to sit beside her, and asked all about me, my family etc.. Saw her the following year (again in Stratford) and she recited everyone of my family's names and how was I getting along at University. Been her #1 fan ever since.
That is probably one of the most amazing stories I've read on youtube. I've never met her myself but I have heard through those who have, that she is incredibly down to earth.
To me, Maggie Smith will always be Miss Jean Brodie. First thing I ever saw her in and was mesmerised. If you've not seen it, or seen California Suite, check them both out. You're in for a treat. A Grand Old Dame :)
I was so blessed as a young (14) American abroad in 1963 to see Maggie Smith in the theatrical comedy, "Mary, Mary" at the Shaftsbury Theater. She was so beautiful and witty, and I never forgot her! What a consummate actress!
I never saw Downton Abbey either. I've seen Potter, but I've also seen her play Desdemona to Laurence Olivier's Othello in 1965. Along with a long list of other brilliant movies.
"Oh, she's been reading too many novels." "Don't be defeatist, dear. It's very middle-class." "Do you think I might have a drink? - Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought you were a waiter." "Oh, it is you! I thought it was a man in your clothes."
dame maggie smith is the only person who can make the simplest lines or sentences hilarious....my god i love her so much....long live professor mcgonagall
The first thing I saw her in was The Secret Garden. I fell in love with her right then and there. That woman is just so captivating. Her presence on-screen has a way of setting the tone for an entire scene. She's just so talented.
I met Maggie Smith in Stratford, Ontario, in 1976; she came out of her dressing room after I "kept looking at her" and she was so down to earth, nice and friendly, shook my hand, and signed a beautiful still from THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE for me. I will never forget her. [I knew she would become a much greater star than she was then]. If you get a chance to watch Jack Clayton's film THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE [1987], Miss Smith was magnificent in it (opposite Bob Hoskins).
+Rachie doodle She is how harisson ford feels about han solo. it is that character you might have had fun playing at one point but it wears you down and you want to quit but you can't because fans won't let you die and you eventually start hating it because people keep quoting you imitating you pestering you when all they want to do is yell bugger off.
write2pras84 she really is one of those characters that makes a series rewatchable. You better appreciate her more subtle funny and witty moments, when you watch them for the second or third time.
+Prettygirlcn5 I haven't seen any Downton episodes but thought her voice wonderful in the Potter films, and her acting in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
I've had the pleasure of being in the same room with Dame Maggie several times. She has a good bit of real magic about her; she's wildly intelligent and fiercely well-humored. Saw her on stage in "Lettice & Lovage" - many times, where she gave one of the all-time great comedic performances. The entire audience was on the end of her string, she could raise one eyebrow and stop the show because every person in the Barrymore Theater had just lost their marbles…. true brilliance. Before opening that show, Dame Maggie had a meeting with theatrical producers where they announced that the show would be playing at the Barrymore. Dame Maggie was adamant about not opening the show at the Barrymore because she knew that it was not a good theater for comedies. The General Manager, in an effort to appease Dame Maggie said, "But Maggie, the Barrymore has the best Star dressing room on Broadway", to which the great lady responded, "But Tyler, I won't be performing in the dressing room now, will I?" She lost that battle, but she won the Tony that year, along with all the other well deserved accolades of an epic career. If you ever come across the movie "Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing" (early 70's) check-it out…. you'll see Maggie as you never imagined her before. Long may she reign!
"I am in the business of putting old heads on young shoulders. And ALL my pupils are la crrrrreme del la crrrrreme." For all her wonderful roles and memorable performances, to me, Dame Maggie will ALWAYS be Miss Jean Brodie. One of the most well deserved Oscars in history.
+Petra Senoté I'm lucky - I work near a used DVD shop in Chicago and was able to score the first 5 seasons of Downton at greatly reduced prices, and I've pre-ordered the 6th season. All I have to do is binge-watch.
My introduction as a child to Maggie Smith was in 1993 when she appeared in The Secret Garden. She looks the same now as then - how is that possible?! Charming and intelligent lady.
"I don't understand, why would someone want to steal a dead, naked body?" "Well you see dear..." (whispers in her ear) "Oh that's tacky. That's really tacky."
Maggie Smith She is so brilliant...wish I had seen her early career as well.......and she was so amazing in "My Old Lady" with Kevin Kline/Kristen Scott Thomas....she is timeless and so charming and passed on her talents to her sons generously. just WOW
These old British Dames... watching these interviews is complete joy. Top Class ladies. You can see this proper "old school" education, intelligence, quality, no words can describe that. Speaking so quietly, holding emotions, barely smiling: but the audience (including us youtubers) are soooo entertained, intrigued and charmed by her. I bet Kate Bekinsale and Emily Blunt will be same super charming British Dames someday, do you agree?
This is absolutely delightful. She is just amazing. I've loved her since I was nine years old and saw "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" for the first time. I love that she still does that hand gesture with her hair. If you go back and look at all of her interviews, she is always pushing back her hair.
I absolutely love her in Downton Abbey. I loved her as Mother Superior in Sister Acts I & II. I love that she has allowed herself to age gracefully and naturally. She looks her age, as a gracious grandmother (probably a great-grandmother) should, and should be proud of every wrinkle she's earned. The fans of Downton will eventually get over the fact that this is the final season, but it may take some time.
Obviously, I'm really ancient--I remember Maggie winning the Best Actress Oscar for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"--in 1967, then she won Best Supporting Actress Oscar, for "California Suite." Dame Maggie is very much like Jessica Lange, and Johnny Depp, (just to name 2)...they love the WORK, THE ACTING, but they don't or just can't watch themselves in the finished films/or TV series. Jessica Lange said she's seen 1 episode of American Horror Story...she said, "I love playing madness...if it's got 'crazy' in the part...give me the pen...sign me up...I think that's why Dame Maggie and Ms Lange and two of my favorites...that INTENSITY they bring to the screen is absolutely magical to watch.
Dame Maggie Smith is an absolute treasure. This Lady has been around since I was a child, and to be honest she's as absolutely brilliant now as she was when I was 5.
Oh, my. To me, seeing Dame Maggie Smith back in the swing of things is what I adore. I mean, when I first found out she AND Richard Harris were to be in Harry Potter, I knew they had a great cast. I remember Maggie Smith from her younger days. The first thing I saw her in was 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" which came out in 1969. Then, of course, there was Murder By Death, Death on the Nile, The First Wives' Club-- I could go on. Only the children think of her as Professor McGonagall or Violet Crawley. Anyone who enjoys her in these should look back and see her other movies. They are all so wonderful.
That's right, I forgot about sister act. I first saw her in The Secret Garden in the 90s as a child. She was always memorable to me and I feel like there was more I knew her from, possibly even by that time. It's almost upsetting to me that people only know her from Harry potter lol. Wtf....
