Judi Dench CH DBE

Ancestors

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Dame Judith Olivia "Judi" Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA is an English actress and author.

Biography

Judi Dench CH DBE is Notable.

Judith Olivia Dench was born on 9 December 1934 in Hewarth, Yorkshire, England to Reginald Arthur Dench and Eleanora Olive Jones. ^[1] Her father was born in Dorset, England, but raised in Ireland, and her mother was born in Ireland. Judi went to a Quaker school and became a Quaker. She has said "I think it informs everything I do ... I couldn't be without it."

Her father was a doctor and became the physician for the York Theatre, where his wife was the wardrobe mistress. Judi often acted in the York Mystery Plays. She initially trained as a set designer, but became fascinated by drama school, so was accepted to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London; when she graduated she received the Gold Medal as Outstanding Student.

Judi started acting professionally in Liverpool as Ophelia in Hamlet, then graduated to the Old Vic in London, One of her roles was Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

She began touring in the United States, Yugoslavia, and Canada, and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961, where she appeared in Stratford-on-Avon as Isabella in Measure for Measure.

In 1964, Judi moved into television and film work, winning BAFTAs - including the BAFTA "Award for most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles", and the BAFTA "Best Actress" award in a BBC drama.

In the 1970 Birthday Honours List, Judi was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). ^[2]

In 1971, she married Michael Leonard Williams in the Hampstead Registration District, Greater London, England. The couple had one child, a daughter - who is also an actress and has appeared in several films alongside her famous mother. She also has one child, making Judi Dench a grandmother.

Judi has continued to receive many "Best Actress" awards throughout her twenty-year career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. One of her most memorable performances was as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, bringing out the psychological aspects of the character, and drawing many 'rave reviews' and awards. Other memorable starring roles are as Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra), and Desiree Armfeldt (A Little Night Music). Other memorable television series include A Fine Romance, Behaving Badly, and As Time Goes By.

In 1988, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. ^[3]

One unforgettable role was as 'M', James Bond's boss. Dame Judi became the first woman to play 'M', yet this role was soon equalled as she played Queen Victoria in the film Mrs Brown, showering her with more "Best Actress" awards and BAFTAs. Dame Judi has also played another royal: Queen Elizabeth I in the film Shakespeare in Love.

"Dench's shrewd, daunting Elizabeth is one of the film's utmost treats."^[4]

The following year, Dame Judi won an Oscar.

Dame Judi Dench

In 2016, Dame Judi won her eighth Olivier Award, breaking her own record. ^[5] She continues to act and win awards to this day. She received her 12th Golden Globe award for her portrayal of Queen Victoria in the film Victoria & Abdul. She then portrayed Princess Dragomiroff in Murder on the Orient Express - based on the Hercule Poirot novel by Agatha Christie.

In 2017, Debretts listed her as 'one of the most influential people in the UK'. ^[6]

One of her funniest (and most popular) films was the documentary Nothing Like a Dame (2018), starring with Eileen Atkins, Joan Plowright, and Maggie Smith. The film features conversations between the four stars and clips of previous acting moments.

In May 2020, Dame Judi appeared on the cover of British Vogue (for the June issue).

Dame Judi has worked with many well-known actors and actresses: Eddie Izzard, Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, Pierce Brosnan, and Maggie Smith, to name but a few. Her performances include stage work, radio, television, film, and voiceovers for characters in animated productions. She is the patron or president of over 180 charities.

Dame Judi Dench lives in Outwood, Surrey, England.

Sources

1. ↑ England & Wales birth registration: York [district], Volume 9d, Page 51, March quarter 1935, mother's maiden name JONES
2. ↑ "No. 45117". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 June 1970. page 6374
3. ↑ "No. 51171". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1987. page 7
4. ↑ "FILM REVIEW: Shakespeare Saw a Therapist". The New York Times. 11 December 1998.
5. ↑ "Olivier Awards 2016: The Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 March 2016.
6. ↑ "Debrett's 500 List: Stage & Screen". The Telegraph. 28 March 2017.

See Also:

• Wikipedia contributors, "Judi Dench," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Judi_Dench&oldid=678642241 (accessed September 3, 2015).
• International Movie Database (imdb.com), "Judi Dench." (Accessed 3 September 2015.)