Maggie Smith's Hilarious Jab At Judi Dench Is Going Viral As Fans Mourn Her Death

Joseph Longo
·3-min read

Maggie Smith died on Friday at the age of 89.

Maggie Smith holds an award while posing on the red carpet at the London Evening Standard British Film Awards. She is wearing a loose-fitting, textured jacket
David M. Benett/Dave Benett / Getty Images

The famed British actor had a long and storied career. She initially found success as a theater actor before winning two Academy Awards in the 1970s. She first won Best Actress in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie before winning Best Supporting Actress in 1979 for California Suite.

Maggie Smith in a period film, wearing a plaid dress, smiling, with two people partially visible beside her
Maggie Smith in a period film, wearing a plaid dress, smiling, with two people partially visible beside her
Maggie Smith holds a bottle while dressed in an elegant, sheer outfit with a pearl necklace
Maggie Smith holds a bottle while dressed in an elegant, sheer outfit with a pearl necklace

20th Century Fox Film Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection, Courtesy Everett Collection

Over the course of her hallmark career, Maggie received four other Oscar nominations, as well as winning four Emmys and a Tony. Maggie enjoyed a later career high thanks to her notable performances as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and as Violet Crawley in the hit TV series Downton Abbey.

Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, wearing a witch's hat and holding scrolls, stands in a hall filled with people in the Harry Potter film series
Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, wearing a witch's hat and holding scrolls, stands in a hall filled with people in the Harry Potter film series

Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection, Nick Briggs / © Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

In 1990, she was also named a dame, one of Britain's highest honors.

Maggie Smith smiles at the camera wearing a jacket adorned with floral embroidery at a public event
Mike Marsland / WireImage / Getty Images

So it doesn't come as a surprise that, among the outpouring of tributes for her on Friday, a popular clip of Maggie in conversation with fellow dames Judi Dench and Joan Plowright has gone viral once again.

Maggie Smith poses for a photo, wearing a statement necklace and a shawl
Bill Davila / FilmMagic / Getty Images

The clip is from the 2018 documentary Tea With the Dames, which starred Maggie, Judi, Joan, and Eileen Atkins. However, Eileen isn't featured in the viral clip, which sees the three other women seated around a table discussing how long they plan to continue working.

Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Joan Plowright. Maggie and Joan seated, Eileen and Judi standing
Sundance Selects / courtesy Everett Collection

It's then that Maggie displayed her signature wit, playfully poking fun at her friend Judi Dench's own storied career. Judi herself has won an Oscar and Tony among other awards.

Judi Dench at the BFI London Film Festival 2022, wearing a black outfit with an elegant patterned shawl and holding a clutch
Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images

As Maggie made clear, Judi is "always asked first" for parts they're all considered for.

Judi Dench in a humorous sequence of three images with captions: (1) "We're going to work forever if we're asked!" (2) "But you're always asked first, if I may say so." (3) "Don't turn on me..."
IFC Films / Via youtube.com

Judi was taken aback by Maggie's candor, prompting Maggie to playfully say, "I'm turning on you now. It's all coming out now."

Joan and Maggie Smith sit at a table in a well-lit room, engaged in conversation. A portrait and books can be seen in the background
IFC Flms / Via youtube.com

However, Joan's hearing aid had gone out, meaning she missed Maggie's comment toward Judi. This prompted a humorous back-and-forth between her and Maggie in which the late actor offered Joan one of her hearing aids.

IFC Films / Via youtube.com
IFC Films / Via youtube.com

After Joan was brought up to speed, she immediately concurred with Maggie about Judi getting roles first. She even gave an example about her agent in America once telling her they'll "look around for a nice little cameo that Judi Dench hasn't got her paws on."

IFC Films / Via youtube.com
IFC Films / Via youtube.com

Of course, Judi didn't exactly appreciate the comment, though Maggie and Joan doubled-down.

Three older women having a discussion around a dining table. One woman says, "How rude." Another responds, "It's not rude at all. It's very, very rude." The third woman adds, "It's America, darling. That's how they talk"
IFC Films / Via youtube.com

It's the exact type of loving yet jesting conversation only close friends could have, and people online are praising it again:

@foxgrove_/Twitter/Picturehouse Entertainment / Via Twitter: @foxgrove_

@PattyBourree/Twitter/Picturehouse Entertainment / Via Twitter: @PattyBourree

@RufusTSuperfly/Twitter/Picturehouse Entertainment / Via Twitter: @RufusTSuperfly

@griotDAMONE/Twitter/PicturehouseEntertainment / Via Twitter: @griotDAMONE

You can watch the full clip below: