• LIFE

See Photos of Maggie Smith Before Her Downton Days

2 minute read

Maggie Smith was new to many American cinema audiences when she won an Oscar for her role in 1969’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but these days she’s got one of the best-known faces on the big screen—and the small one, where she’ll pick up her fan-favorite Downton Abbey role, as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, when the show returns for U.S. viewers on Jan. 4.

With Jean Brodie fresh in readers’ minds and Smith appearing with her then-husband Robert Stephens in a Los Angeles production of the play Design for Living, LIFE Magazine sent a reporter to profile Smith and Stephens. And, it turned out, much of the story focused on that now-famous face. “Maggie Smith, 36, had grown up believing she was ugly, and could only succeed as a comedienne. In fact, her distinctive face and style made her a natural scene-stealer in her early movies (The VIPs, Young Cassidy), which paved the way for greater triumphs,” the July 16, 1971, story read.

In the interview, Smith confesses that she still feels that her looks are unusual for a film star, and that the make-up crew always fusses a little too much about her under-eye bags, but that she’s old enough and successful enough for it not to matter. And, in saying so, she demonstrates that the Dowager Countess isn’t the only one who has a way with a witty rejoinder: “Some aphorist once said that nobody has the right to be shy over the age of 25—and that applies to me.”

Plus, points out Stephens, she’s not the only actress to find success despite her own insecurities about her face. Shirley MacLaine, for example, he says, “has always been worried about her eyes being too small and too close together”—and that didn’t hold her back. In fact, she’s still going strong. Case in point: She’s frequently guest-starred on Downton Abbey, opposite Maggie Smith.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971
Caption from LIFE. In Maggie Smith's dressing room at London's Old Vic Theatre last winter, the Stephenses modestly entertain other members of the cast of Beaux' Stratagem, a National Theatre production.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith in her dressing room during a break from the play Beaux' Stratagem at the Old Vic Theatre.
Maggie Smith in her dressing room during a break from the play Beaux' Stratagem at the Old Vic Theatre.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens and their children, 1971
Caption from LIFE. On a Malibu beach outing, Toby rides his father's shoulders, while 4-year-old Christopher romps with his mother. The Stephenses spent 11 weeks rehearsing and performing their revival of Noel Coward's play Design for Living.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens and their children
Caption from LIFE. Near the house they rented in Malibu this spring, the Stephenses play with younger son Toby, 2.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens and their children
Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens and their children Toby and Christopher play on the beach in Malibu, California.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971
Caption from LIFE. Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens first met when she joined the National Theatre Company in London. Stephens had been there since its inception in 1963. It was, as they say, love at first sight: he was already married. Christopher, their first son, was born only four days after the divorce came through and they were able to marry in June 1967.Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Denholm Elliott, Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens in a scene from the play Design for Living at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Robert Stephens, Maggie Smith and Denholm Elliott in a scene from the play Design for Living at the Ahmanson Theatre.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens at their home in London, 1971.
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens at their home in London, 1971.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, 1971
Caption from LIFE. In the sitting room of their London house, Maggie lets Christopher sip some champagne while Robert looks on curiously.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Maggie Smith and her children Christopher and Toby
Maggie Smith and her sons Christopher and Toby, 1971.John Olson—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com