Biography of Judi Dench
Judi Dench is a legendary British actress and national treasure, honored as both a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Beginning her career as a celebrated stage actress, Judi earned six Oscar nominations. She's won numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award.
Childhood and Early Life
The future star was born and raised in York, a historic town in northern England. She was the third child—a much-anticipated daughter—born to doctor Reginald Arthur Dench and his wife, Eleanora Olive Jones.


Theatre Career
In 1957, she made her Old Vic theatre debut. She portrayed Shakespeare's Ophelia that night. Her heartfelt, natural performance so impressed audiences that she landed all the leading roles in the repertoire, which consisted mainly of Shakespeare's plays.

Film Career
Dench made her film debut in the late '50s. She starred in the dramatic short film "Hilda Lessways." Despite harsh criticism about her screen presence from directors and producers, the debut proved successful. She wasn't fazed by it—she was already a celebrated stage actress with no immediate plans to conquer Hollywood.In 1996, the actress was nominated for BAFTA for «Four in the Morning». Both audiences and critics raved about her performance in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless «A Midsummer Night's Dream». Following this film, she took a ten-year hiatus from movies due to personal life changes.






Judi was nominated for the Oscar two more times for playing leading roles in «Notes on a Scandal» (2006) and «Philomena». In 2017, she appeared in a sensational screen version of Agatha Christie's novel, «Murder on the Orient Express». The actress said that it was one of her favorite roles. All she had to do was sit regally in fur and jewelry, pet her little dog, and enjoy watching the irrepressible Johnny Depp work his magic.

Private Life of Judi Dench
Judi never complained about the lack of male attention. However, she got married only when she turned 36. An actor, Michael Williams, with whom she had met in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, became her spouse. They had been in an open relationship for a long time until one day, Judi made the first step and insisted on getting married. In 1971, the actors got married. A year later, they became happy parents of a baby, Finty (full name is Tara Cressida Frances).



Judi Dench Now
In 2019, Judi Dench surprised her fans once again. This time, the beloved veteran actress took on the role of a wise old cat in the musical "Cats," directed by Tom Hooper. The Broadway musical of the same name was its prototype.
Off the Rails was set to premiere in 2021, featuring Dench alongside Kelly Preston and Ben Miller.