Dame Maggie Smith and Sir John Hurt Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards
HP Cast
Posted by: Edward
March 23, 2010, 12:13 AM
Actress Dame Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) and actor John Hurt (Ollivander) are recipients of two lifetime achievement awards presented in London this past weekend. First, Dame Maggie Smith was honored with the 2010 Laurence Olivier Special Award, at the Laurence Olivier Awards. A report on OfficialLondonTheater notes:
Bringing the evening to a close, last year’s Best Actress winner Margaret Tyzack presented Smith with the Special Award. Since making her stage debut in 1952, the veteran actress has appeared in over 50 stage productions in the UK and US.
Beginning her career at the Oxford Playhouse, one of her most notable stage roles came in 1960 when she played Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier in Othello at the National Theatre. The later film adaptation won her her first Academy Award nomination and was the beginning of her illustrious reputation on both stage and film.
A clip from Dame Smith's acceptance speech can be
seen right here in a montage of clips from the event.
Secondly, Sir John Hurt was presented with the lifetime achievement award at the
Bradford International Film Festival. The
BBC reports that upon receiving the honor, Sir John Hurt noted his desire for a balance between large studio productions and smaller films. Quoteage:
"It's been my constant fight all my life. All you can do is prepare the ground. You can't just say this is how it ought to be because you've got to create a public that actually enjoys it - and therein lies the difficulties."
Many congratulations! Thanks Wendy!
5185 Points
CONGRATULATIONS to both of them. They certainly deserve it. They’re both great actors. I love you McGonagall, you rock. LOL. I like what John said.
Good luck to both of you. :D
311 Points
WOW! Dame Maggie Smith is just AWESOME! She’s done so many films I’d loved and she’s such a wonderful actress! I remember first seing her in that Peter Pan movie with Robbie Williams and Julia Roberts from the early 90s. Loved her from the very first time! And our dear Ollivander – John Hurt – well… I haven’t seen much of him outside Harry Potter but I’m sure this is a much deserved honor.
CONGRATULATIONS!
3526 Points
oh yay! CONGRATULATIONS! They totally deserve it!! haven’t really seen John Hurt in any other roles, but I know Maggie is fantastic I’ve seen her in alot and she’s incredible! I’ve been wondering how she’s been doing lately after her cancer. BEST WISHES!!!
4983 Points
I think that is AWESOME, they are both TERRIFIC in playing their parts, I have seen Dame Maggie Smith in several roles, and I love her as Professor Minerva McGonagal and John Hurt was AWESOME as Mr Olivander the famous Wand Maker. My Congratulations to BOTH of them!!!!
They both deserve their awards though I’m surprised Maggie Smith has not had one already. To me she is one of the two greatest living actresses in the UK. The Laurence Olivier Awards are the equivalent of Oscars for the theatre in the UK and the greatest honour to receive.
John Hurt has been great in everything I’ve seen him in. I remember one drama ages ago about the Profumo affair but one of the most memorable roles I’ve seen him do is Caligula in I Claudius. I recommend the whole programme if you like costume dramas. A quality production.
CONGRATULATIONS to both of them. They certainly deserve it. They’re both great actors. I love you McGonagall, you rock. LOL. I like what John said.
Good luck to both of you. :D