RIP Maggie Smith - “…one of those rare people who make things & places suddenly marvellous just by being there”
Still of Maggie Smith on Parkinson (1973)
Farewell to the one and only Maggie Smith (December 28, 1934 - September 27, 2024).
There are so many wonderful tributes to her online, including her zingers from Downton Abbey, I know “What’s a weekend?” is one of the most popular ones, but another top favourite of mine is “Why does every day involve a fight with an American?”
When I found out she is mentioned with adoration in The Kenneth Williams Diaries, I found myself looking up all the diary entries about her (via archive.org).
It includes insightful and touching observations about her as a person and an actor. You can read them below.
I also recommend you watch this clip from Parkinson of Maggie Smith and Kenneth Williams reading Death in Leamington.
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 29 December 1962
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 27 March 1963
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 20 June 1964
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 30 November 1967
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 28 February 1969
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 3 April 1970
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 7 March 1971
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 23 December 1972
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 31 January and 6 February 1973
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 25 October 1976
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 5 March 1979
The Kenneth Williams Diaries: 8 October 1985