Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench CH DBE FRSA | |
|---|---|
Judi Dench at the BAFTAs at the Royal Opera House in London (2007) | |
| Born | Judith Olivia Dench 9 December 1934 Heworth, Yorkshire, England |
| Education | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1957–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Michael Williams
(m. 1971; died 2001) |
| Partner | David Mills (2010–present) |
| Children | Finty Williams |
| Relatives |
|
| Awards | Full list |
Dame Judith Olivia Dench (born 9 December 1934) is an English actress. Widely considered one of Britain's greatest actresses,[1][2][3] she is noted for her versatility, having appeared in films and television, as well as for her numerous roles on the stage.[4] Dench has garnered various accolades throughout a career that spans seven decades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Television Awards, six British Academy Film Awards, and seven Olivier Awards.
Dench made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company. Over the following few years she performed in several of Shakespeare's plays, in such roles as Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. Although most of Dench's work during this period was in theatre, she also branched out into film work and won a BAFTA Award as Most Promising Newcomer. In 1968, she drew excellent reviews for her leading role of Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret. Over the next two decades Dench established herself as one of the most significant British theatre performers, working for the National Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Dench received critical acclaim for her work on television during this period, including her starring roles in the two romantic comedy series A Fine Romance (1981–1984, ITV) and As Time Goes By (1992–2005, BBC1). Her film appearances were infrequent – though included supporting roles in major films, such as James Ivory's A Room with a View (1985) – before she rose to international fame as M in GoldenEye (1995), a role she went on to play in eight James Bond films until her final cameo appearance in Spectre (2015).
An eight-time Academy Award nominee, Dench won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love (1998). Her other Oscar-nominated roles are for Mrs Brown (1997), Chocolat (2000), Iris (2001), Mrs Henderson Presents (2005), Notes on a Scandal (2006), Philomena (2013), and Belfast (2021). She is also the recipient of several honorary awards, including the BAFTA Fellowship Award, the Society of London Theatre Special Award, and the British Film Institute Fellowship Award.
- ^ Dowd, Maureen (21 September 2017). "Queen! Bow Down to Tattoo-Flashing Octogenarian Dame Dench". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Staff and agencies (18 August 2005). "Hopkins and Dench named best British actors". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
- ^ "Connery and Dench Top Legend Poll". Time Out Group. 25 February 2005. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
- ^ Brooks, Xan (26 January 2021). "Judi Dench: 'In my mind's eye I'm six foot and willowy and about 39'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 July 2021.