The Unbreakable Bond: Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith’s Friendship Revealed

At the age of 90, Dame Judi Dench has finally opened up about her long-time friendship with Dame Maggie Smith.

For decades, their relationship has been a topic of fascination in the entertainment world.

Yet, Judi has remained largely silent about it until now.

What prompted her to finally share her thoughts?
This revelation sheds light on a friendship that has stood the test of time and offers a glimpse into the lives of two legendary actresses.

Maggie Smith was born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, a suburb of East London.

Her full name was Margaret Natalie Smith.

Growing up in a middle-class family, her father, Nathaniel Smith, was a pathologist, while her mother, Margaret Hutton, worked as a secretary.

As the youngest of three children, Maggie was the only daughter, with two older twin brothers.

Her early years were relatively typical until World War II broke out in 1939, changing life for the Smith family dramatically.

During the war, they moved from Ilford to Oxford, a city considered safer than London due to its lower risk of bombing.

This move not only provided safety but also brought Maggie closer to the world of theater and education.

As a child in Oxford, she was quiet and observant, developing a strong imagination and a love for reading.

One of her earliest interests was Shakespeare, which captivated her with its beauty and power.

Even at a young age, she was profoundly impacted by the plays, often dreaming of becoming an actress herself.

Maggie attended Oxford High School, an all-girls school, where she wasn’t the most popular student.

However, she stood out for her passion for acting.

Participating in school plays, she sometimes played major roles, which helped build her confidence and provided a glimpse into her future.

Her talent did not go unnoticed by teachers and classmates, who began to recognize her rare gifts.

After high school, Maggie pursued her desire to act professionally by getting involved with the Oxford Playhouse, one of the city’s major theaters.

This opportunity allowed her to observe rehearsals and eventually participate in productions, marking her first experience working with professional actors and directors.

She learned the inner workings of theater and the dedication required to succeed.

Additionally, she joined the Oxford University Dramatic Society, gaining more experience in serious plays and meeting other aspiring actors.

Her interest in Shakespeare deepened as she began to comprehend not just the stories but also the craft of acting.

She learned how to deliver lines clearly, express emotions authentically, and use silence effectively.

Eventually, Maggie decided to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, one of the most respected acting schools in the world.

Her audition stood out, and she trained under skilled professionals, focusing on voice, movement, and classical acting.

This intense training equipped her with valuable stagecraft and professionalism.

After completing her training, Maggie Smith quickly embarked on her acting career in the early 1950s.

She returned to Oxford to work with the Oxford Playhouse Reparatory Company, marking her first chance to perform as a professional actress.

The company performed various plays, requiring actors to learn lines quickly and adapt to multiple roles in a short time.

This experience helped Maggie hone her skills and develop a deep understanding of characters.

She acted in a wide range of plays, including comedies and dramas, particularly Shakespearean works.

These early roles built her confidence and showcased her unique talents.

Her big break came in 1959 when she joined the Old Vic, a prestigious theater company in London known for classical performances.

This opportunity marked a turning point in her career, as the Old Vic had a strong reputation, and acting there was a significant achievement for any actor.

Maggie quickly distinguished herself among many talented performers.

At the Old Vic, she tackled some of Shakespeare’s most important female roles, including Desdemona in Othello, Viola in Twelfth Night, and Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra.

Each character displayed different facets of strength, love, and intelligence, and Maggie brought something unique to each role.

As Desdemona, she embodied quiet dignity and inner sadness.

As Viola, she balanced humor with deep emotion.

As Cleopatra, she exhibited passion, pride, and vulnerability.

What set Maggie Smith apart was her ability to act with thought and feeling.

She understood her characters deeply, making audiences believe in her portrayals.

Her emotional control was remarkable; subtle changes in her face or voice conveyed as much as loud speeches.

Her timing and sharp sense of humor allowed her to find small, truthful moments in serious plays, bringing warmth and wit to her performances.

In the 1960s, she took another significant step in her career by working with the renowned actor and director, Laurence Olivier.

He invited her to join the newly formed National Theater Company at the Old Vic, providing her with further opportunities for growth.

Together, they worked on major productions, including more Shakespeare, and Maggie continued to earn praise from critics and audiences alike.

By the late 1950s, Maggie Smith had already established herself as a talented stage actress in Britain.

However, it wasn’t long before film directors began to take notice of her extraordinary talent.

Her first significant film role came in 1958 when she starred in Nowhere to Go, a British crime thriller where she played Bridget Howard.

Although the film wasn’t a major hit, her performance stood out, showcasing her ability to transition from stage to screen.

In 1963, she acted in The VIPs, a star-studded film featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Maggie’s role as Miss Me, a secretary caught in the drama of wealthy travelers, brought her more attention and demonstrated her capability to hold her own alongside famous names.

The role that would change Maggie Smith’s life came in 1969 when she starred in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Based on a novel by Muriel Spark, she portrayed a Scottish school teacher who believes she knows what’s best for her students.

This character was complex, influencing her pupils in both positive and negative ways.

Maggie’s performance was filled with passion, emotion, and subtlety, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1970.

This monumental achievement transformed her from a respected British stage actress into an international film star.

The Oscar opened doors in Hollywood, but Maggie was careful with her choices, balancing both stage and film work.

In 1978, she delivered another remarkable performance in California Suite, a comedy written by Neil Simon.

In this film, Maggie played Diana Barry, an English actress traveling to the Oscars with her husband.

Her character’s struggles with the desire for recognition added depth to the humor, and once again, critics praised her work, leading to her second Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actress.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Maggie continued to act in both theater and film, gravitating back to the stage, particularly Shakespearean works.

She made thoughtful choices in her film career, opting for meaningful characters rather than taking roles for visibility.

Her performances consistently displayed a clear understanding of her characters’ emotions and stories.

In 1985, she starred in A Room with a View, based on E.M.Forster’s novel.Maggie played Charlotte Bartlett, a proper older woman chaperoning her younger cousin in Italy.

Though her role was small, she left a significant impact, bringing humor and depth to the character, earning yet another Academy Award nomination.

The film became a major success and remains beloved today.

In 2001, she appeared in Gosford Park, a murder mystery set in a grand English country house in the 1930s.

Maggie’s portrayal of Constance, Countess of Trentham, was memorable, showcasing her sharp lines and cold glances, earning her another Oscar nomination.

By 2001, Maggie Smith had built a career filled with awards and respected performances.

That year, she was cast as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, introducing her to a new generation of fans.

The character is the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts and a teacher of Transfiguration, embodying strength, wisdom, and care for her students.

When the film premiered, Maggie was in her late 60s, bringing years of experience to the role.

From her first scene, she made McGonagall feel real, standing tall and speaking clearly, capturing the essence of the character.

Throughout the eight Harry Potter films, Maggie added layers to McGonagall, showcasing her loyalty to Hogwarts and her belief in standing up for what is right.

In the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, McGonagall leads the school in battle against evil.

One of the most memorable scenes features her bringing castle statues to life to defend Hogwarts, delivering her lines with excitement and seriousness that fans still discuss today.

Maggie’s role in the Harry Potter series introduced her to a new generation, with children and teenagers recognizing her as Professor McGonagall.

Parents who grew up watching her earlier films were delighted to see her in a role their kids could love.

During the filming of some later Harry Potter movies, Maggie quietly battled breast cancer, continuing to work while undergoing treatment.

She viewed her job as a source of strength, and most people on set were unaware of her struggles.

In 2010, Maggie Smith began another exciting chapter in her career by taking on the role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the British drama series Downton Abbey.

Set in the early 20th century, the show followed the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants.

Maggie’s character quickly became a fan favorite, known for her strong will and sharp tongue.

Violet was proud of her title and traditions but displayed an open mind when it mattered most.

From the very first episode, viewers loved Maggie’s quick remarks and her ability to dominate a scene with just one line.

She brought depth to Violet, showing wisdom and a strong sense of duty while maintaining her character’s humor and strength.

Downton Abbey became a global success, airing in over 100 countries, and Maggie’s performance earned her multiple awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Many referred to her as the “queen of the one-liner,” thanks to her unforgettable lines that resonated with audiences.

Despite her immense success, Maggie Smith has always been a private person, facing challenges and enjoying deep personal relationships away from the spotlight.

In 1975, she married British playwright Beverly Cross, a supportive partner who understood the demands of her acting career.

Their marriage lasted over two decades until his death in 1998, which was a painful loss for Maggie.

She has spoken fondly of him in the few interviews where she mentioned her private life.

Maggie and Beverly had two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, both of whom pursued artistic paths.

Toby, in particular, has built a strong acting career, appearing in film and television.

Maggie has rarely discussed her children in public, preferring to keep her family life private, but it’s evident that she is proud of their accomplishments.

Despite her long and successful career, Maggie Smith has faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of Graves’ disease in the 1980s, which affected her thyroid.

Even while dealing with this condition, she continued to perform, never allowing her illness to define her.

In 2007, she faced another significant health battle when she was diagnosed with breast cancer during the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Many were unaware of her treatment at the time, but Maggie’s decision to continue acting through her illness demonstrated her strength and dedication.

She has since recovered and has been in remission for many years.

Throughout their careers, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith have shared a deep and lasting friendship built on respect, humor, and loyalty.

Their bond began in the 1960s when both women were rising stars in British theater.

Despite their differences—Maggie with her dry wit and Judi with her warmth—they found comfort in each other’s company.

Their first major collaboration was in A Room with a View, where they played strong supporting roles, showcasing their powerful emotional range.

They teamed up again in Tea with Mussolini, a film about English women living in Italy during World War II, which allowed them to challenge and support each other.

In 2004, they starred together in Ladies in Lavender, a drama about two elderly sisters who take in a young violinist.

Their performances highlighted the gentle strength of older women, a theme they both represented in real life.

In public, rumors of rivalry between Judi and Maggie were often dismissed by both actresses.

Judi once said, “Maggie is one of my closest friends.

I couldn’t do half of what she does.

Maggie, known for her humor, joked, “If people think we’re rivals, they should see us laughing over tea.

”
Their friendship was real, filled with respect and a shared history that transcended competition.

In September 2024, the world lost Dame Maggie Smith at the age of 89.

The news touched fans across generations, but for Judi Dench, the loss was profoundly personal.

Just a week after Maggie’s passing, Judi appeared at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, where she was asked about her grief.

Overwhelmed, she spoke about the energy created by grief, and the audience shared in her moment of vulnerability.

Later, Judi shared a touching tribute to Maggie.

For years, she had planted trees in memory of friends and fellow actors who had passed away.

At her home in Surrey, she created a personal forest filled with living memorials.

For Maggie, Judi chose to plant a crab apple tree.

On the day of Maggie’s funeral, Judi’s gardener brought her a small crab apple from the tree, which she carried in her pocket during the service.

This small gesture spoke volumes about their friendship, showcasing its personal and meaningful nature.

In Judi’s forest, there are trees for several other beloved figures in the acting world, including Alan Rickman, Helen McCrory, and Steven Sondheim.

Their friendship and the memories they created together will continue to inspire and resonate with fans for generations to come.

As we reflect on the incredible bond between Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith, we celebrate their legacies and the impact they had on the world of entertainment.

Their friendship, marked by mutual respect and love, serves as a reminder of the power of connection and the beauty of shared experiences.

Though they may no longer be physically present, their spirits and contributions to the arts will forever live on in the hearts of those who admired them.