Dame Maggie Smith can vouch that a kiss from Leonardo DiCaprio is worth the wait.
The 81-year-old actress who got a friendly smooch from Leo at the BAFTA Awards earlier this month broke her silence about the tender moment, calling it a “real thrill”.
“He did indeed [give me a big kiss],” Maggie told NPR during a radio interview. “That was a thrill for me. A real thrill because I think he’s a terrific actor.”
Smith, who as received her seventh Academy Awards nomination for her work in Lady in the Van, said she was a big fan of the 41-year-old The Revenant star and hopes he takes out the Oscar for his performance as legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass.
“I’ve been rooting and voting for him since Gilbert Grape,” said Maggie. “I thought he was so amazing in that one. He was a young man, really very young boy, wasn’t he?”
Lucky Maggie happened to be seated in front of the hunky star at the BAFTA Awards on 14 February and given the Valentine’s Day timing of the ceremony, guests were subjected to a “KissCam” game.
An enthusiastic Leo leaned out of his seat to give Dame Maggie a kiss on the cheek, leaving the audience giggling at the sweet gesture.
While we all know Leo’s mama raised him right, the actor – who took out the gong for Best Actor that evening – took to the stage to thank the special woman in his life.
“There’s one person I have to thank,” said Leo. “I would not be standing up here if it weren’t for this person. I didn’t grow up in a life of privilege.”
“I grew up in a very rough neighbourhood in East Los Angeles and this woman drove me for three hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity. It is her birthday today. So Mum, happy birthday. I love you very much.”
Leo, we’ll wait until we’re 80 for a kiss then, shall we?
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