Play Book Tag discussion

I just learned that Dame Maggie Smith ... who played the beloved Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey with all the BEST zingers ... has passed away.

Gosh but I will miss her! She was an extraordinary actress.

I am in deep mourning. She was one of the greatest, definitely the grandest, of them all. There is a huge hole in the world now.

So many performances in movies that I love --- I see a personal retrospective streaming of her films for weeks. It will start with A Private Function with Michael Palin, and next maybe California Suite where she plays an aging actress in love with and married to a gay man - her final seen in that requires the box of tissues be handy. Of course I have all the HP's and also Downton Abby on DVD. I just rewatched a couple days before she died Evil Under the Sun, based on the Agatha Christie novel with Peter Ustinov as Poirot. Hmmm that retrospective will last months not weeks!

But I also saw her on stage - my favorite, the one I never ever will forget, was Lettice and Lovage: A Comedy by Peter Shafferon Broadway. I actually own a copy of the play bought at the Drama Book Store after seeing it. Now if I can find my copy or a free or inexpensive download, I will read it in tribute.

Natalie and I had a standing date every Sunday to watch Downton Abby-such great memories Maggie gave to me. Natalie always said my "zingers" were as good as hers.

Oh, yeah. This was on Friday she passed away.

I'm just seeing headlines tonight that Kris Kristopherson died today at 88 years old.

Julian Fellowes wrote Downton Abbey with Maggie Smith specifically in mind, after he worked with her on the film Gosford Park, where she had a similar part.

I think it's charming that she worked with Daniel Radcliffe on the BBC version of David Copperfield (he was adorable) and then again of course in Harry Potter.

I’m so glad to be seeing this thread. I felt somehow that I was almost all alone and how hard this was hitting me. Maggie Smith has played roles that have followed so many of us through our lives. The loss of her feels personal. She was Minerva McGonagle, for others Violet. For many driving Miss Daisy. But for me, I remember her and so many things when I was young, particularly all of the incredible skits with Carol Burnett. She was a force, and a light. She will be missed.

Incredible actor. I love many of her roles but my most vivid memory is the only time I saw her on stage - in Alan Bennett’s monologue series ‘Talking Heads’. She walked on stage and you stopped breathing. She owned the whole room even before she started speaking. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Yes, there was an element of star-strike but I’ve seen other stars. It was more her focus and intensity.

Exactly, Kate. I can count on 3 fingers the actors I have seen, and I have seen so many great actors, who command the audience from the second they step on stage: Elizabeth Ashley, Meryl Streep, and Maggie Smith.

I can't think of a single time I've seen Maggie Smith that I didn't absolutely love her character! I was shocked to see she had passed, she has worked so recently.

I was very sad to learn of her passing. She was a great talent. She made Downton Abbey a hit! RIP Dame Smith 💔