'Never shy on stage, always shy off it' - what Dame Maggie Smith was really like

Dame Maggie Smith is a celebrated actress who has received numerous awards throughout her career. Despite her fame, she was surprisingly not fond of being in the spotlight. She once shared with critic Nancy Banks Smith, 'I’m never shy on stage, always shy off it. ' This statement reflects her comfort in performing but discomfort in her personal life. For instance, she never watched her own performances in the popular series Downton Abbey, and she famously skipped the ceremony to accept her first Oscar award. She expressed her sadness about losing the ability to walk down the street without being recognized by fans. Although she had been a respected stage actress since the 1960s, she insisted that her life was 'perfectly normal' until her role in Downton Abbey changed everything. The show, which aired from 2010 to 2015, brought her international fame and a new level of superstardom late in her life, which she seemed to regret. In Downton Abbey, she portrayed Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, a character known for her sharp wit and memorable one-liners. She remarked on how public recognition transformed her life, saying, 'It’s ridiculous. ' Reflecting on her life before the show, she reminisced, 'I’d go to theatres, I’d go to galleries, and things like that on my own. And now I can’t. And that’s awful. ' She described a street in southwest London as 'dodgy' and felt it was difficult to walk down it without being noticed. However, she did enjoy the attention from younger fans who recognized her from the Harry Potter films, where she played the formidable Professor McGonagall. She fondly recalled, 'A lot of very small people used to say hello to me and that was nice. ' This interaction brought her joy, as it introduced her to a new generation of fans. Nick Hytner, a director who worked with her, noted that she loved being recognized by children from Harry Potter. For those who worked alongside her, there was often an initial fear due to her immense reputation. Lesley Nichol, who played the cook in Downton Abbey, admitted she was 'terrified' at the thought of working with Dame Maggie. However, she quickly discovered that Dame Maggie was not intimidating at all. Instead, she was friendly and wanted to be part of the team. Between takes, they would play the word game Bananagrams, and Lesley described Dame Maggie as 'fearsome' and 'really competitive' at it. This playful side of her showed that she was down-to-earth and enjoyed being part of the group. Dame Maggie was known for her sharp tongue, both on and off the screen. However, this did not detract from her fun-loving nature. Nick Hytner remarked, 'Everyone knows how witty she was. ' He added that even when she made jokes at your expense, it was hard not to laugh because she was so clever. She was not only intelligent but also capable of great kindness, making her a delightful companion at events like concerts and theater performances. Many of her co-stars from the Harry Potter series have shared fond memories of her. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, recalled a moment of awkward dancing with her, saying, 'She was so special, always hilarious and always kind. ' Yet, not every moment was filled with joy. Dame Maggie once recounted a challenging experience while filming Harry Potter, where she was stuck in a trailer in the snow for a week, wearing a cumbersome hat. She described the experience as 'horrid,' but noted that she was not alone in her misery, as other actors were there to share in the complaints. Miriam Margolyes, who also appeared in the Harry Potter films, noted that Dame Maggie had a 'glint of mischief' in her eyes. She was both kind and a little intimidating at times. Miriam admitted that she sometimes felt scared of her but also recognized her as a remarkable talent. Dame Maggie's dedication to her craft was evident throughout her career. Even in her later years, she was known for never arriving on set without having memorized her lines perfectly. Lady Carnarvon, who lived in Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey was filmed, remarked that she never saw Dame Maggie with a script. She worked diligently, often waking up early and enduring long hours in corsets. She continued to act until the end of her life, driven by a desire to get everything right. Despite her fame, she maintained a private life and rarely gave interviews. She was not fond of appearing on talk shows, even though she was quite good at them. When she won her first Oscar in 1970 for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, she chose not to attend the ceremony, as she was performing in a play in London. Although she did accept a Special Award Bafta in 1993, her speech was brief, lasting only 30 seconds. She humorously stated, 'If it’s possible to be in films without taking your clothes off or killing people with machine guns, I seem to have indeed managed. ' This sentiment illustrates her discomfort with the idea of being a star, despite her impressive collection of awards. Lady Carnarvon emphasized that Dame Maggie was a very private person, and she always wanted to respect her boundaries. Nevertheless, Dame Maggie left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. Her old friend, the late actor Kenneth Williams, once wrote in his diary about her unique charm and talent. He said, 'That girl has a magic, and a deftness of touch in comedy that makes you really grateful. ' He described her as someone who could make any situation special just by being present. Dame Maggie Smith was not only a talented actress but also a remarkable person who touched the lives of many with her performances and her warm spirit.