Dench studied at the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art in London. In 1957 she gave her first important critically acclaimed performance, as Ophelia in the Old Vic production of Hamlet. The following year she made her Broadway debut in Twelfth Night.
Dench attended an all-girls Quaker school, then followed with a brief stop at the York School of Art before changing course and heading off to London's Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. Dench made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company.
She makes her first appearance in the 1995 Martin Campbell-directed "GoldenEye," in which M is put in charge of Pierce Brosnan's Bond, and she brings a fierceness to the character that she carries through each of the subsequent films.
Dench was born in Heworth, York, England. She is the daughter of Eleanora Olave (née Jones), a native of Dublin, and Reginald Arthur Dench, a doctor. Dench attended the Mount School, a Quaker independent secondary school in York.
In recognition of her storied career, Queen Elizabeth appointed Dench as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1970 Birthday Honours, and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours.
What Dame Judi Dench tells young actors (Sept 19, 2017) | Charlie Rose
What movie made Judi Dench famous?
Her film appearances were infrequent and included supporting roles in major films, such as James Ivory's A Room with a View (1985), before she rose to international fame as M in GoldenEye (1995), a role she went on to play in eight James Bond films, until her final cameo appearance in Spectre (2015).
TEA WITH THE DAMES is a unique celebration of the lives and careers of four of our most iconic actresses; Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Plowright and Dame Maggie Smith. All four have gone from being fledgling actresses in the 1950s to acting royalty.
Judi was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012 and was forced to give up driving a few years ago when her eyesight began to worsen. This isn't the first time the actress has opened up about her health condition. Last year she appeared on BBC's Louis Theroux and admitted that 'it's bad'.
In 1988, Dench earned her official title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Yet, Dame Judi Dench seemingly never caught the eye of Harry Potter producers.
In the Fleming novels M stands for the character's last name, and I think his whole name is Sir Miles Messervy. The movies have carried on this tradition with other characters (Mawdsley, Mansfield, and Mallory) rather than explain why Bond's superior is called something else other than 'M'.
Dame Judi Dench has shed some light on what it's like to film a James Bond movie. The legendary British actor played the role of M in eight Bond movies, beginning in 1995 with GoldenEye and ending in 2015's Spectre. As the chief of M16, M was known to be a stern, focused character.
Killing off Judi Dench's M in Skyfall was a bold move to revitalize the 007 franchise after Quantum of Solace's poor reception. Dench's departure was part of a plan to give Bond a new world with a new M, introducing major changes after the problematic previous film.
The appeal – and success – of As Time Goes By was down to the undeniable chemistry between Palmer and Dench, born from a genuine affection between real-life friends.
1. Sean Connery. The tall, handsome and muscular Scottish actor Sean Connery is best known as the original actor to portray James Bond in the hugely successful movie franchise, starring in seven films between 1962 and 1983.
Dame Judi Dench is known as one of the most talented British actors. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title of Dame on her in 1988, when she was named Dame Commander in recognition of her classical and dramatic roles.
Tara Cressida "Finty" Williams (born 24 September 1972) is an English actress. She is best known as the voice of Angelina Ballerina. Her mother, Judi Dench, voiced Angelina's ballet teacher, Miss Lilly.
Dame Judi has been a Quaker since her school years. She said of her faith in 2013 in a Channel 4 news interview: "I think it informs everything I do. I couldn't be without it."
Dame Judi Dench has got her first tattoo for her 81st birthday. The tattoo was a present from her daughter the actress Finty Williams. She has 'carpe diem', which means 'seize the day' in Latin, in capital letters on her wrist.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth can honour people who've achieved something extraordinary with a knighthood. For men this means gaining the title “Sir”, while women become a “Dame”.
Dame Helen Mirren met the Queen before she became the Queen herself — on-screen in The Queen and onstage in The Audience — when she was awarded a damehood in 2003. However, due to some political disagreements, accepting the honor was a decision she briefly grappled with, before deciding to accept.
Honours are announced and awarded twice a year by His Majesty The King, with lists consisting of knights and dames, appointments to the Order of the British Empire, and gallantry and bravery awards.
