Maggie Smith fans are sharing some of her most iconic moments
Tributes have flooded in for Dame Maggie Smith following the news of her death at the age of 89.
The iconic Oscar award-winning actor, whose career spanned several decades, was best known for her roles as the Downton Abbey matriarch, Violet Crowley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, and Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter.
As well as being a legend of British stage and screen, Smith was also known for her acerbic wit on and off camera.
Following her death, people have been sharing clips of their favourite moments.
While she may have had a glittering career, it was the dame's jokes that spoke to TV critic Scott Bryan.
In a clip shared on X by Bryan, Smith is seen sitting at a table with fellow dames Judi Dench and Joan Plowright when she remarks that she lost out on several acting roles because Dench was always offered the best roles first. "I'm turning on you," she warns.
There was nobody like Dame Maggie Smith pic.twitter.com/Dxk5G5fYt2
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) September 27, 2024
As Downton Abbey's Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, she became known for her withering stares and brutal put-downs.
rest in peace maggie smith you’ll always be loved pic.twitter.com/PoVwdKV1uo
— s. (@shivlestat) September 27, 2024
And, as Dave Itzkoff notes, one line reading from the series was particularly iconic.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite won her Oscars, but this line reading from Downton Abbey made her iconic. RIP to the great Maggie Smith. pic.twitter.com/v33Yxo5NEp
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) September 27, 2024
While the Downton Abbey garnered global success, the actor breezily admitted on the Graham Norton Show that she had never watched the series in full. Asked if she had ever seen it, Smith purses her lips and shakes her head, archly adding: "I've got the box set."
"Be an icon like Dame Maggie Smith," posted James Glynn.
Be an icon like Dame Maggie Smith and give zero f***s 💕 pic.twitter.com/yrg1SzV95t
— J Λ M Ξ S (@jamesglynn) September 27, 2024
In fact, from her first appearance on the Graham Norton show, Smith became a couch favourite.
In one video, she tells the host that one child was so amazed by her transformation into a cat as Harry Potter's Professor McGonagall that he wondered if she actually was one.
rip maggie smith one of the undeniable greats of her time pic.twitter.com/6GGgwXCITJ
— george griffiths (@georgegriffiths) September 27, 2024
It was her role as the Reverend Mother in 90s smash hit film Sister Act that earned her praise from Tyler Ruggeri, who called it "one of his favourite line readings of all time."
One moment of perfect comic timing sees Smith's character told she had "taken a vow of hospitality to all her need her", to which she replies: 'I lied."
The box office success won nine awards and 10 nominations.
Maggie Smith’s “I lied” in SISTER ACT is one of my favorite line readings of all time. pic.twitter.com/PIF4mLZ13K
— Tyler Ruggeri (@t_ruggeri) September 27, 2024
For many, though, it was her standout turn has the iron-willed Professor Mcgonagall in Harry Potter for which she will be most fondly remembered.
Some noted that Smith died exactly a year to the day after fellow Harry Potter star Michael Gambon.
One year ago today: Michael Gambon passed away.
Today: Maggie Smith passed away.
Two legendary people who played two of our favorite Harry Potter characters. 😢#RIPMichaelGambon#RIPMaggieSmith pic.twitter.com/TE8nmaVSqS— Harry Potter Universe (@HPotterUniverse) September 27, 2024
While others also remembered the passing of Alan Rickman, another Harry Potter legend.
Rest in peace to an absolute treasure, Dame Maggie Smith
They’ve been reunited 🤍 pic.twitter.com/v5nIKceAtu— sean 🇮🇪🤝🏼🇵🇸 (@Sean_Gabbett) September 27, 2024
And for Katrina Louise Tree, nothing beats the actor's portrayal of the steely Minerva McGonagall.
In the clip, the character is seen giving one of her students an unexpected instruction in the hopes of saving the school.
BAFTA has also paid tribute to the actor's "highly acclaimed career."
We're saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89.
Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and BAFTA Fellowship during her… pic.twitter.com/YxQs4GAdCp— BAFTA (@BAFTA) September 27, 2024
Smith won five BAFTAs from the academy, as well as Special Award in recognition of her extraordinary achievements in acting in 1993.
This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dame-maggie-smith-memorable-film-tv-roles-161907669.html