History of Judi Dench in Timeline
Dame Judi Dench is a highly acclaimed retired English actress celebrated for her extensive and versatile career spanning seven decades in both stage and screen productions. Recognized as one of Britain's foremost actresses, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple Golden Globe Awards, British Academy Television Awards, British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), and Olivier Awards, solidifying her status as a theatrical and cinematic icon.
3 hours ago : Judi Dench's poignant garden: Memorial trees, Queen Victoria statue, and honoring loved ones.
Judi Dench's garden features memorial trees planted for loved ones and peers. She spoke about the meaningful practice in an interview. She also made a heartbreaking admission about her home.
1934: Publication of Murder on the Orient Express
In 1934, Agatha Christie's novel Murder on the Orient Express was published.
1941: Original Play of Blithe Spirit
In 1941 the original play of Blithe Spirit was written.
1970: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
In the 1970 Birthday Honours, Judi Dench was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
February 1971: Married Michael Williams
In February 1971, Judi Dench married actor Michael Williams at St Mary's Church, Hampstead.
1972: Birth of daughter Finty Williams
In 1972, Judi Dench and Michael Williams had their only child, a daughter named Finty Williams, who later became an actress.
1976: Performance at the Donmar Warehouse
In 1976, Judi Dench performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
1985: President of Questors Theatre
Since 1985, Judi Dench has served as the president of Questors Theatre, Ealing.
1990: Publication of Esio Trot
In 1990, Roald Dahl's children's novel Esio Trot was published.
1997: Roles in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'Shakespeare in Love'
In 1997, Judi Dench appeared in Roger Spottiswoode's 'Tomorrow Never Dies', her second James Bond film. She also reunited with director John Madden to film 'Shakespeare in Love', which would be released in 1998.
1998: Won Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love
In 1998, Judi Dench won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in the movie Shakespeare in Love.
1999: Tony Award win, 'Tea with Mussolini' release, and 'The World Is Not Enough' release
In 1999, Judi Dench won the Tony Award for her Broadway performance in 'Amy's View'. She also co-starred in 'Tea with Mussolini' and appeared in the Bond film 'The World Is Not Enough', in which her character, M, played a larger role.
2001: Death of Michael Williams
In 2001, Judi Dench's husband, Michael Williams, passed away due to lung cancer.
2002: Roles in 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 'Die Another Day', and 'Angelina Ballerina'
In 2002, Judi Dench starred in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' as Lady Bracknell, a role she had played before. She also appeared in 'Die Another Day', her fourth appearance as M in the James Bond series, and voiced Miss Lilly in the animated series 'Angelina Ballerina'.
2004: Appearance in 'The Chronicles of Riddick'
In 2004, Judi Dench appeared in 'The Chronicles of Riddick' as Aereon, selected by Vin Diesel. Despite calling the filming fun, she admitted to not understanding the plot. The film was not successful.
2004: Roles in 'Ladies in Lavender' and 'Home on the Range'
In 2004, Judi Dench starred in 'Ladies in Lavender' alongside Maggie Smith, playing one of two sisters. Also in 2004, she provided her voice for Walt Disney's 'Home on the Range'.
2005: Release of 'Pride & Prejudice'
In 2005, Judi Dench appeared in 'Pride & Prejudice' as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, after being persuaded to take the role by Joe Wright. The film was both a critical and commercial success.
2005: Appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)
In the 2005 Birthday Honours, Judi Dench was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH).
April 2006: Return to the West End stage in 'Hay Fever'
In April 2006, Judi Dench returned to the West End stage in 'Hay Fever'.
2006: Became president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
In 2006, Judi Dench became the president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
2006: Release of 'Notes on a Scandal'
In 2006, Judi Dench starred in 'Notes on a Scandal' with Cate Blanchett. Dench played a London teacher with a fondness for vulnerable women. The film was a success.
February 2008: Voice for Spaceship Earth and Patron of York Youth Mysteries
In February 2008, Judi Dench became the voice for the updated Spaceship Earth attraction at Walt Disney World Epcot. Also that month, she was named the first official patron of the York Youth Mysteries 2008.
2009: West End return, 'Rage' appearance, and 'Nine' role
In 2009, Judi Dench returned to the West End in 'Madame de Sade'. She also appeared in the experimental film 'Rage' and the musical film 'Nine'.
February 2010: Performance in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
In February 2010, Judi Dench played Titania as Queen Elizabeth I in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames.
July 2010: Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
In July 2010, Judi Dench performed "Send in the Clowns" at a special celebratory promenade concert from the Royal Albert Hall in honor of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.
July 2010: Awarded honorary degree by Nottingham Trent University
On July 22, 2010, Judi Dench received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree from Nottingham Trent University.
2010: Began relationship with David Mills
In 2010, Judi Dench started a relationship with David Mills, a conservationist.
2010: Ovingdean Hall School Closed
In 2010, Ovingdean Hall School, where Judi Dench was a patron, closed.
January 2011: Became patron of The Dr Hadwen Trust
On January 15, 2011, it was announced that Judi Dench had become a patron of The Dr Hadwen Trust.
2011: Filming of Friend Request Pending
In 2011, Judi Dench filmed Friend Request Pending, an indie short film.
2011: Release of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Sequel
In 2011, Judi Dench reprised the role of Evelyn in John Madden's The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the sequel to the 2011 sleeper hit.
2011: Reunion with John Madden
In 2011, Judi Dench reunited with director John Madden on the set of the comedy drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
2011: Roles in 'Jane Eyre', 'My Week with Marilyn', and 'J. Edgar'
In 2011, Judi Dench starred in 'Jane Eyre' as Alice Fairfax, 'My Week with Marilyn' as Sybil Thorndike, and 'J. Edgar'.
2011: J. Edgar and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
In 2011, Judi Dench starred in Clint Eastwood's biographical drama J. Edgar as Anna Marie Hoover. She also made cameo appearances in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Run for Your Wife.
2011: Urged policy-makers to decriminalise drug use
In 2011, Judi Dench, along with Sting and Richard Branson, publicly urged policy-makers to adopt more progressive drug policies by decriminalising drug use.
2012: Became honorary patron of Everton charity branch
In 2012, Judi Dench became an honorary patron of Everton in the Community, the charity associated with the Everton football team, of which she is a long-time supporter.
2012: Releases of Friend Request Pending and Skyfall
In 2012, Judi Dench's short film Friend Request Pending was released, and she made her seventh and final appearance as M in the James Bond film, Skyfall.
2012: Release of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
In 2012, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Judi Dench, was released to positive reviews and became a box-office hit.
2012: Discussed macular degeneration
In early 2012, Judi Dench discussed her macular degeneration, specifying that she has one "dry" eye and one "wet" eye, and that she receives treatment for it through injections. She also mentioned needing help with reading scripts.
March 2013: Listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian
In March 2013, Judi Dench was recognized by The Guardian as one of the fifty best-dressed individuals over 50.
2013: Discussed her faith
In 2013, Judi Dench discussed her Quaker faith, emphasizing its importance in her life.
2013: Starring in Philomena
In 2013, Judi Dench starred in the film Philomena, which was inspired by a true story and received favorable reviews at the Venice International Film Festival.
2013: Underwent knee surgery
In 2013, Judi Dench underwent knee surgery and recovered successfully.
2014: Criticized prejudice against older actresses
In 2014, Judi Dench voiced her strong disapproval of the prejudice against older actresses in the movie industry, emphasizing her desire to continue working and challenging age-related limitations.
2014: Signed open letter regarding Scottish referendum
In 2014, Judi Dench was among 200 celebrities who signed an open letter urging the people of Scotland to vote to remain part of the UK in that year's referendum.
2014: Discussed finding love again
In a 2014 interview with The Times magazine, Judi Dench talked about finding love again with David Mills and how unexpected it was.
May 2015: Starring in The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse
In May 2015, Judi Dench starred in The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse, with her real-life daughter playing her character's daughter. The final performance was broadcast live.
September 2015: Guest on Desert Island Discs and Reprising role as M in Spectre
On 20 September 2015, Judi Dench was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs for the third time. She also reprised her role as M in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre.
2015: Esio Trot Adaptation
In 2015, Judi Dench appeared in a small-screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's Esio Trot on BBC One.
2016: Best Actress Nomination at the International Emmy Awards
In 2016, Judi Dench earned her first Best Actress nomination at the International Emmy Awards for her performance in Esio Trot.
2016: Olivier Award and roles in The Hollow Crown and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
In 2016, Judi Dench won an Olivier Award for her role in The Winter's Tale, co-starred in The Hollow Crown, and appeared in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
September 2017: Release of Murder on the Orient Express
In September 2017, Judi Dench starred in Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express.
September 2017: Collaboration with Lethal Bizzle
In September 2017, Judi Dench was featured in a video rapping with UK Grime MC Lethal Bizzle.
2017: Releases of Tulip Fever and Victoria & Abdul
In 2017, Judi Dench starred in Justin Chadwick's Tulip Fever and Stephen Frears's Victoria & Abdul. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for Victoria & Abdul.
2017: Appeared on Debrett's list of most influential people in the UK
In 2017, Judi Dench, as a high-profile actress, was included in Debrett's list of the most influential people in the UK.
2018: Roles in Red Joan, All Is True, and Nothing Like a Dame
In 2018, Judi Dench starred in Red Joan, All Is True (reuniting with Kenneth Branagh), and the documentary Nothing Like a Dame.
October 1, 2019: Narrator in The EPCOT Experience
On October 1, 2019, Judi Dench became the narrator in the Walt Disney World's EPCOT attraction, The EPCOT Experience.
May 2020: British Vogue Cover
In May 2020, Judi Dench became the oldest British person to be featured on the cover of British Vogue.
2020: Releases of Artemis Fowl, Six Minutes to Midnight, and Blithe Spirit
In 2020, Judi Dench appeared in Artemis Fowl, Six Minutes to Midnight, and Blithe Spirit.
October 2021: Casting in Allelujah
In October 2021, Judi Dench was announced to be joining the cast of Allelujah.
July 2022: Patron of Shakespeare North
In July 2022, Judi Dench became a patron of Shakespeare North, a cultural and educational venue in Prescot near Liverpool.
November 2022: Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench
In November 2022, the BBC aired Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench featuring Judi Dench.
December 2022: Impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo"
On December 31, 2022, at Hogmanay, Judi Dench joined Sharleen Spiteri for an impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo" at the Fife Arms hotel in Braemar.
2022: Criticized The Crown
In 2022, Judi Dench wrote an opinion piece for The Times criticizing the Netflix show The Crown for "crude sensationalism" and potentially misleading non-British viewers.
January 2023: Appeared in BBC concert, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
In January 2023, Judi Dench participated in the BBC concert, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, where she performed "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music.
March 2023: Announced appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
In March 2023, Judi Dench's appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe was announced, where she would discuss her life and career with Gyles Brandreth, sing, and perform excerpts from her past works in a show titled I Remember It Well: Judi Dench in Conversation with Gyles Brandreth.
April 2023: Subject of Channel 5 documentary
In April 2023, Judi Dench was the focus of a Channel 5 documentary titled The Divine Judi Dench: Our National Treasure.
2023: Rode in King Charles III's Royal Ascot Procession
In 2023, Judi Dench and her partner David Mills were invited to ride in King Charles III's Royal Ascot Procession.
2024: First Female Members of the Garrick Club
In 2024, Judi Dench and Siân Phillips became the first female members of the Garrick Club.
2024: Reported Deterioration of Eyesight
In 2024, reports indicated that Judi Dench's eyesight had worsened, leading to her effective retirement from acting and making it difficult for her to go out alone, though she still desires to work.
November 2025: Eyesight Further Deteriorated
In November 2025, Judi Dench stated in an ITV interview that her eyesight had further deteriorated, rendering her unable to see clearly.
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