Dench, Judi (1934-…), is a leading British actress who has gained international recognition both on the stage and in motion pictures. She first established herself as a stage actress during the late 1950’s and the 1960’s in classic plays by such dramatists as Anton Chekhov, William Shakespeare, and Oscar Wilde. Dench became an international movie star in the 1980’s. She won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love (1998).
Judith Olivia Dench was born on Dec. 9, 1934, in York, England. She was educated at Mount School in York and at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. Dench made her stage debut with the Old Vic theater company in 1957 as Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. She acted with the Old Vic company until 1961, when she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Since the late 1950’s, Dench has acted in various British television programs. She starred in the popular TV series “A Fine Romance” (1981-1984) and “As Time Goes By” (1992-2002).
Dench played the character known by the code name M in a number of James Bond films, beginning with GoldenEye (1995) and ending with Skyfall (2012). Her other motion pictures include A Room with a View (1985); 84 Charing Cross Road (1986); Mrs. Brown (1997); Tea with Mussolini (1999); Chocolat (2000); Iris and The Shipping News (both 2001); Mrs. Henderson Presents and Pride & Prejudice (both 2005); Notes on a Scandal (2006); and Nine (2009). Some of Dench’s later films are The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) and its sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015); Jane Eyre, J. Edgar, and My Week with Marilyn (all 2011); Philomena (2013); Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016); Murder on the Orient Express (2017); and Belfast (2021).
In 1988, Dench was made a dame commander of the Order of the British Empire. She then became known as Dame Judi Dench. Dench discussed her acting career in the books And Furthermore (2010) and Behind the Scenes (2014).
