Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith
Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith, CH, DBE is an English actress. She has had an extensive, varied career in stage, film and television spanning over sixty years. Smith has appeared in over 50 films and is one of Britain's most recognisable actresses. She was appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empirein 1970. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empirein the 1990 New Year Honours for services to the performing arts, and Member...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionMovie Actress
Date of Birth28 December 1934
CityIlford, England
I fear that I won't work in the theatre again. I'm sad about that. But I won't retire.
I know there is something out there, and like most people, I tend to believe in it more when things go bad. But I'm not like Shirley MacLaine, who probably believes we were past lovers in another life.
There's this wonderful first assistant and he'll be saying, 'Now Harry goes down among the dragons.' You have to hold yourself together. Because if you lose it for a second then you're sunk.
I think lots of actors are very nervous and shy. I know lots of them who are, and some who aren't of course.
Old people are scary. And I have to face it. I am old and I am scary.
I longed to be bright and most certainly never was. I was rather hopeless, I suspect.
I've been playing old parts forever. I play 93 quite often. When you've done it more than once, you take the hint. I think it's a great burden if you're one of those fantastic stars who've always been beautiful; then I think it's hard.
I know there is something out there and like most people, I tend to believe in it more when things go bad.
The thing is, often press people ask questions that are so personal that even your nearest and dearest wouldn't ask them.
The performances you have in your head are always much better than the performances on stage.
I said 'It can't go on' and he said 'No, it can't.' Honestly, I don't think I could have mattered less to him by then. But by then, nothing mattered to him.
Listen, I must be 110 by now. Granny is going to kick the bucket at some point.
It seems to me there is a change in what audiences want to see. I can only hope that's correct, because there's an awful lot of people of my age around now and we outnumber the others.
An actor is somebody who communicates someone else's words and emotions to an audience. It's not me. It's what writers want me to be.