In Memoriam: Maggie Smith
On September 27, 2024, Dame Maggie Smith’s two sons shared the news that their mother had passed away at the age of 89. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” her sons shared in a statement released through Smith’s publicist.
Over her storied career, Smith won two Academy Awards, received numerous kudos and nominations, and was universally beloved. In the 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, Smith’s iconic character, the Dowager Countess, dies surrounded by her grieving family. Even in death, her hilariously sharp tongue was present. “Stop that noise; I can’t hear myself die,” she exclaims among the loud tears and carrying on. This image is a comfort to viewers everywhere who will miss Smith.
Smith’s career-defining role in Downton Abbey brought her to a whole new generation of fans and featured a performance that launched thousands of memes. But Smith was a legendary actress with countless memorable performances. It’s hard to pick just ten of our favorites, but we did our best. We stuck to movies and TV shows available to stream, which means we could not include 1969’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which is still not available anywhere.
