Judi Dench biography, young, age, net worth, children and grandsons, awards 2025

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.

Even in her nineties, Dench shows no signs of slowing down. She continues appearing in two or three films each year. Judi's also deeply involved in public causes, championing environmental conservation—she even posed nude to raise awareness for lobster preservation. Net worth: $45 million.

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.

Her parents enjoyed the theatre and played in an amateur theatrical company. Her father also worked with actors at York Theatre Royal, giving Judi access to the backstage world. She loved watching performances and exploring the costumes and wigs left behind in dressing rooms. Initially, she didn't envision herself as an actress—she studied dance and painting, dreaming of becoming a ballerina or stage designer.

Young Judi with Her Father, Brother, and His Wife

Her older brother Jeffrey, however, was certain about his theatrical future. He joined a theater group and shared his passion with Peter and Judi. Eventually, middle brother Peter left the group to pursue medicine, but Judi became captivated by theater. She left the dance studio and, after college, enrolled at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama like her brother.

Her professors immediately recognized her natural stage presence. Soon, Judi emerged as one of her class's most promising students, earning both the Laurence Olivier Bursary and a gold medal.

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.

After joining the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1961, Dench toured internationally. Her talent won over even the most demanding and sophisticated audiences. Her Cleopatra and Lady Macbeth dazzled audiences with their inner strength and power, while her Juliet and Ophelia embodied tenderness and vulnerability.

Shakespeare undoubtedly played a crucial role in both her career and personal development. In 1999, she authored a book that served as a love letter to the great English playwright.

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.

In 1985, Judi returned to the screen as writer Eleanor Lavish in the comedy-drama «A Room with a View». The film got five Oscar nominations, and Dench won the BAFTA as the Most Promising Newcomer. Worth noting is her small but memorable role in the acclaimed historical drama «Henry V» (1989).

Her role in the iconic James Bond franchise became her international breakthrough. She landed the role of M, head of MI6 and boss to the legendary Agent 007. Stella Rimington was a prototype of this character. However, she retired in 1996. Dench appeared in seven episodes of the James Bond Series and became one of the most recognizable characters.

Judi Dench Portrayed M in Seven Parts of the James Bond Series

«GoldenEye» (1995) launched her to global stardom and opened doors throughout Hollywood. Film after film showcased her extraordinary talent, with each performance revealing new depths to her craft.

In 1997, a film director, John Madden, offered Judi to portray Queen Victoria in a historical drama, «Mrs. Brown». He was blown away by her stage work and unmistakable acting style. She was nominated for the BAFTA and Satellite Award. This work earned Dench her first Oscar nomination, but Helen Hunt took home the coveted prize.

It is also worth noting that the infamous Harvey Weinstein was one of the film producers. Judi and Harvey were very good friends. When Weinstein faced sexual harassment charges, Dench was among the few who stood by him during the scandal.

Judi Dench and Harvey Weinstein were Friends

Queen Elizabeth I in «Shakespeare in Love» (1998) was her other successful role. Our heroine was nominated for the Oscar and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was also nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award and the BAFTA. Remarkably, her role lasted just eight minutes—but it was enough to earn her the golden statuette.

Judi Dench Wins the Oscar

A role of a singer, Arabella, in a war drama titled «Tea with Mussolini» (1999) was her other successful project. A drama, «Chocolat», (2000) earned her another Oscar nomination. The following year, Judi was one step away from the cherished statuette for starring in a biographical drama titled «Iris», but Halle Berry claimed the prize.

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.

The Cast of «Murder on the Orient Express»

That same year, Dench portrayed Queen Victoria in a historical drama titled «Victoria & Abdul». This role earned her a nomination for Golden Globe Award. The film explored little-known facts about the royal's life, including her passionate relationship with a young Indian servant. The director said no one could portray this role better than Judi, who lives life to the fullest and won't give up on romance even in her eighties.

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).

At first, Judi was going to quit the job and devote her life to her husband, daughter, and aged parents, who had moved to their house. However, her husband insisted that Judi continue her acting career. He knew that his beloved woman had a unique talent that needed to flourish. That's exactly the way it happened. Judi became a star, and Michael became her faithful spouse, tower of strength, and her loyal friend.

Judi Dench with her Husband and Daughter

In 2001, Williams died of cancer. Dench was single for a long time, grieving over her loss. However, zest for life, optimism, and support of her daughter and grandson, Sam, helped her to cope with the loss. Since 2010, she has been seen with David Mills, who is eight years younger than her. Love for nature united their hearts. David has devoted all his life to environmental protection, and Judi has been fascinated by dendrology for a long time. Together with her late husband, she planted a wood. It's located near their house in Surrey.

The actress says that Mills has become not only her loyal friend and helper but also a beloved man in whose arms it's nice to drink a glass of champagne, watching the sunset.

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.

In 2020, Dench starred in the film Blithe Spirit alongside Isla Fisher and Dan Stevens. She also made a cameo appearance in the series Staged during the same period.

Blithe Spirit - Official Trailer

The highly anticipated film Artemis Fowl disappointed both fans and critics, earning just a 4.2 rating on IMDb. The premiere of Six Minutes to Midnight attracted a little more attention from the audience.

Off the Rails was set to premiere in 2021, featuring Dench alongside Kelly Preston and Ben Miller.

Judi Dench: latest news and articles

Hollywood actors and actresses as kings and queens

28 Jan 2019

prrr

Never liked her. Such a total fake.

2022-07-13 00:43:15
Dorothy Osborne

I like how Dench is playing in Murder on the Orient Express, a great movie.

2021-04-16 09:48:26
Xavier Joshua Reed

Judy was certainly a beauty in her youth, charm itself.

2021-04-09 16:24:01
Josephine Carroll

An aged madam posed nude in a photo shoot to save the lobsters?? Really? Is it an absurd!?

2021-04-05 18:20:51
Kenneth Thompson

I am very surprised how Dench was not given an Oscar? Only mined six times ...

2021-03-29 12:15:38
Linda Davis

God grant health and long life to the beautiful actress Judy Dench!

2021-03-24 16:31:08

Photos: Judi Dench