“Sir Ian McKellen does an impression of Dame Maggie Smith and recalls the 2002 Oscar run-in”

Dame Maggie Smith will be remembered for her unparalleled skills on screen, but also for the way she made people laugh.

At an appearance in February 2017 on The Graham Norton ShowSir Ian McKellen recalled meeting Smith on the red carpet before the 2002 Oscars.

McKellen was there along with the cast The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gandalf, while Smith was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Constance Trentham Gosford Park.

“In New Zealand, where we filmed Lord of the ringsIf you're lucky, you'll get a carved piece of green stone when you leave. If you wear it enough times, there's a good chance you'll come back to New Zealand,” McKellen explained.

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“That was the idea and that it would bring you a bit of luck. When the film was nominated for about 20 Oscars that night, everyone from New Zealand wore the green stone, the pounamu.”

He further explained that he was wearing his the night he met Smith and immediately began imitating the actress's particular way of speaking.

“What is that thing around your neck?” he mimicked her question, causing the audience to burst into laughter.

“This is my pounamu, Maggie,” he replied, to which she asked what it was for. He explained and Smith seemed skeptical as they parted for the night.

“So, you know, it takes 3½, 4 hours. And in the end, of course, everyone wins the Oscar except you. And you come out feeling a bit dejected and looking forward to a drink, and you meet Maggie Smith and she points at you and says, “Didn't work, did it?” “

Smith also didn't go home with her award that night, which was surpassed by Jennifer Connelly for her role in A beautiful spirit. The actress, who appeared in more than 50 films, won two Oscars for this The heyday of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and California Suite (1978). She also won four Golden Globe Awards and three additional Oscar nominations.

Smith, one of the world's greatest actresses, died on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the age of 89. Her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin confirmed the news, saying in a statement released by publicist Clair Dobbs: “It's great.” It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday September 27th,” they continued. “She was an extremely private person and ended up hanging out with friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and tireless kindness during her final days,” added Stephens and Larkin.

The brothers concluded: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy during this time.”

Smith is survived by her sons and five grandchildren.