Maggie Smith, star of stage, film and ‘Downton Abbey,’ dies at 89

What are your favorite Dowager Countess quips or comebacks? Let us know on Facebook at Arizona PBS.

It is difficult to describe the impact of “Downton Abbey” both on PBS viewers as well as a wider viewing audience. “Downton” is the highest-rated PBS drama ever with an unparalleled viewership. Season 4 alone reached 27.6 million unique viewers. The Crawley family and their household of servants entertained audiences for six seasons, often outpacing most of the popular cable series of its time.

In the midst of all the love, loss and drama of what the Crawley family was up to on “Downton,” we come face to face with the often irascible yet beloved Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Maggie Smith, a stage and film star whose career began in the 1950s. Often in demand as an actor and known for playing scene-stealing characters, Smith died Friday. She was 89. Masterpiece, who presented “Downton Abbey,” shared details of her life and a photo gallery on their website.

Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British female performer of her generation, named alongside greats like Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, earning numerous nominations and awards like the Academy Award for Best Actress and the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969. Her work on “Downton” led to three Emmy® awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in 2013.

Smith gained a loyal fan base as the Dowager Countess on “Downton” and also as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

But her loyal fans know it wasn’t all dramatic calamity befalling characters each week on “Downton.” As the Dowager Countess, Smith was a force, a sharp-tongued realist who at the same time embodied a sweet if stoic warmth. Her comedic one-liners provided a balance to the drama, bringing wit that would often establish Smith’s character as the highlight of each episode. The Dowager Countess’ one-liners led to some of the most iconic moments of the show.

Once, a character remarked to her, “How you hate to be wrong.” The Dowager Countess raised an eyebrow, then simply replied: “I wouldn’t know; I’m not familiar with the sensation.”

What are your favorite Dowager Countess quips or comebacks? Let us know on Facebook at Arizona PBS.

It wasn’t just the Dowager Countess who knew how to craft a clever quip. When Smith was asked about remaining in demand into her later years, she lamented that “when you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.” Smith drily summarized her later roles as “a gallery of grotesques,” including Professor McGonagall. Asked why she took the role, she quipped: “Harry Potter is my pension.” Read the full article from PBS News to learn more about Smith’s life and accomplishments.

For her wit, acting prowess and the untold number of times she made us laugh, we thank her. Maggie Smith, you will be missed.