Profile of Judi Dench on Famous Like Me

Dame Judith Olivia Dench, CH, DBE, better known as Judi Dench (born on December 9, 1934 in North Yorkshire, England), is a British stage, film and television actress. Dame Judi came first in a poll to find Britain's best actress. When she was thirteen, she entered The Mount School in York. Today, she is a patron of Friends' School Saffron Walden.

In 1971, she married British actor Michael Williams, the couple had their only child, Tara Cressida Williams (aka "Finty Williams"), who is also an actor.

Michael Williams, who had once chaired the Catholic Stage Guild, died of lung cancer at the age of 65 in 2001. They had starred together in a British sitcom, A Fine Romance.

Her many television appearances include the series As Time Goes By and the aforementioned A Fine Romance. She has also occasionally directed plays.

Theatrical career

In her native country, Dame Judi has developed a reputation as arguably the greatest actress in post-World War II history, primarily through her work in theatre, which has been her main forté throughout her career.

She received her professional training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet in Liverpool in 1957. She subsequently spent several seasons in repertory in Oxford and Nottingham. In 1961 she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and made numerous appearances with the company in Stratford and London over the next two decades, winning several best actress awards.

Dame Judi has also made numerous appearances in the West End and with the National Theatre in London. She is a multiple winner of the main awards for performances on the London stage, including a record six Laurence Olivier Awards. She has also appeared with success on Broadway in Amy's Room.

As she enters her seventies, Dame Judi remains probably the biggest draw on the London stage. She is often compared and contrasted with Dame Maggie Smith, another British actress of the same generation, with whom she has appeared in several movies and on stage in David Hare's two-hander Breath of Life.

Selected filmography

• A Room with a View (1985)
• A Handful of Dust (1987)
• Henry V (1989)
• Mrs. Brown (1997; also known as Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown)
• Shakespeare in Love (1998)
• Tea With Mussolini (1999)
• Chocolat (2000)
• Iris (2001)
• The Shipping News (2001)
• The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
• Ladies in Lavender. (2004)

James Bond

In 1995 she took over the role of M in the James Bond series and has appeared in the films:

• GoldenEye (1995)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
• The World Is Not Enough (1999)
• Die Another Day (2002)

Judi Dench has also been confirmed by the producers of the Bond film series as returning to the role for the 2006 film, Casino Royale.

In 2004 she lent her voice for the role of M in two James Bond video games, Everything or Nothing and GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.

Selected awards and recognition

Theatre

• 1997 - London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress for Amy's View
• 1996 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for Absolute Hell
• 1996 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Entertainment for A Little Night Music
• 1987 - Laurence Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award and London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress for Antony and Cleopatra
• 1984 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a New Play for Pack of Lies
• 1982 - London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress for The Importance of Being Earnest and A Kind of Alaska
• 1980 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Revival for Juno and the Paycock
• 1977 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Revival for Macbeth

Film and television

• 2002 - Nominated Academy Award for Best Actress for Iris
• 2001 - Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Chocolat
• 1999 - Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Shakespeare in Love
• 1998 - Nominated Academy Award for Best Actress and won Golden Globe for Mrs. Brown
• 1987 - Won BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for A Room with a View
• 1967 - Won BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress for Talking to a Stranger
• 1966 - Won BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for Four in the Morning

Other

• 2005 - made a Companion of Honour
• 1988 - made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

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