Tribute 57: Maggie Smith

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) explore the extensive career (spanning over seven decades) of the truly remarkable British actress Maggie Smith. Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford Essex, England, despite never having gone to the theater and being considered "too common" to be onstage, Smith grew up with a love for Shakespeare and was encouraged to act by her English teacher. In 1952, at 17 years old, her career began as Viola in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Smith received international fame for her role as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey (2010–2015) and is known for films including Othello (1965), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), Travels with My Aunt (1972), California Suite (1978) A Room with a View (1985), Gosford Park (2001), the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011), Death on the Nile (1978), Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), The Secret Garden (1993), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), Quartet (2012) The Lady in the Van (2015) and more.

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