History of Judi Dench in Timeline
Dame Judi Dench is a highly acclaimed English retired actress, renowned for her versatility and considered one of Britain's finest. Over her illustrious seven-decade career, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple Golden Globe Awards, BAFTAs for both television and film, and Olivier Awards. Her work encompasses a wide range of roles across both stage and screen.
1934: Publication of Murder on the Orient Express
In 1934, Agatha Christie published the novel Murder on the Orient Express, on which the 2017 film was based.
1941: Publication of Blithe Spirit
In 1941, the play Blithe Spirit was originally published.
1957: The Prince and the Showgirl
In 1957, the film "The Prince and the Showgirl" starring Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier was released. In 2011, Judi Dench played Sybil Thorndike in the movie "My Week with Marilyn", which depicted the making of "The Prince and the Showgirl".
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: Marriage to 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' only child, daughter Finty Williams, was born. Finty later became an actress.
1976: Last Performance at Donmar Warehouse before 2015
1976 marked Judi Dench's last performance at the Donmar Warehouse prior to her appearance in The Vote in 2015.
1982: Arthur Kopit's book for the 1982 musical of the same name
In 1982, Arthur Kopit released a book for the musical titled Nine, based on Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film 8 ½. In 2009, Judi Dench would star in a movie adaptation of this book.
1982: Royal National Theatre's The Importance of Being Earnest
In 1982, Judi Dench played Lady Bracknell in a stint at the Royal National Theatre in "The Importance of Being Earnest".
1985: Became president of Questors Theatre
Judi Dench has been president of Questors Theatre, Ealing, since 1985, where the main auditorium is known as The Judi Dench Playhouse.
1990: Publication of Esio Trot
In 1990, Roald Dahl's children's novel Esio Trot was published.
1997: Films in 1997: Tomorrow Never Dies and Shakespeare in Love
In 1997, Judi Dench starred in "Tomorrow Never Dies", her second James Bond film. Also in 1997, she filmed "Shakespeare in Love" with director John Madden.
1998: Shakespeare in Love Release and Awards
In 1998, Judi Dench appeared in "Shakespeare in Love", receiving critical acclaim for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I. She later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her eight minutes on screen.
1998: Won Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love
In 1998, Judi Dench won an 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, 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 World Is Not Enough", where her character M had a larger role.
2001: Death of Michael Williams
In 2001, Judi Dench's husband, Michael Williams, passed away from lung cancer.
2002: The Importance of Being Earnest and Die Another Day releases, Angelina Ballerina Voice Work
In 2002, Judi Dench starred in "The Importance of Being Earnest" as Lady Bracknell, a role she previously played in 1982. She also appeared in "Die Another Day", her fourth James Bond film as M. Furthermore, in 2002, she voiced Miss Lilly in the animated series "Angelina Ballerina".
2003: Notes on a Scandal Book Release
In 2003, Zoë Heller released the book "Notes on a Scandal", which Judi Dench was a fan of and would star in a movie adaptation of.
2004: The Chronicles of Riddick
In 2004, Judi Dench appeared in "The Chronicles of Riddick" as Aereon, an ambassador of the Elemental race. Vin Diesel selected her for the role, which was rewritten for a female character. The film was a critical and box office failure.
2004: Ladies in Lavender and Home on the Range
In 2004, Judi Dench starred in "Ladies in Lavender" with Maggie Smith and voiced a dairy cow in Walt Disney's "Home on the Range".
2005: Pride & Prejudice release
In 2005, Judi Dench appeared in "Pride & Prejudice" as Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Joe Wright, the director, persuaded her to take on the role, and the film became 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: West End stage in Hay Fever
In April 2006, Dench returned to the West End stage in Hay Fever alongside Peter Bowles, Kim Medcalf and Belinda Lang.
2006: Casino Royale, Hay Fever, and The Merry Wives
In 2006, Judi Dench reprised her role as M in "Casino Royale", the reboot of the James Bond series. In April 2006, she returned to the West End stage in "Hay Fever", and she finished the year playing Mistress Quickly in the RSC's "The Merry Wives".
2006: Notes on a Scandal
In 2006, Judi Dench starred in "Notes on a Scandal" alongside Cate Blanchett. She also earned her sixth Academy nomination.
2006: Casino Royale Film Release
In 2006, the film Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig and Judi Dench was released.
2006: Became president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Judi Dench became president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London in 2006, taking over from Sir John Mills.
November 2007: Cranford Series Transmission
In November 2007, Judi Dench co-starred in the BBC One five-part series "Cranford".
February 2008: Spaceship Earth Narration and York Youth Mysteries Patron
In February 2008, Judi Dench became the narrator for the updated Walt Disney World Epcot attraction Spaceship Earth and was named the first official patron of the York Youth Mysteries 2008.
2009: Madame de Sade, Rage, Nine, and Return to Cranford
In 2009, Judi Dench played Madame de Montreuil in "Madame de Sade", appeared in Sally Potter's experimental film "Rage", starred in the musical film "Nine", and reprised her role in "Return to Cranford".
February 2010: 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: Send in the Clowns Performance
In July 2010, Judi Dench performed "Send in the Clowns" at the Royal Albert Hall in honor of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.
July 2010: Awarded honorary degree by Nottingham Trent University
On 22 July 2010, Judi Dench was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by Nottingham Trent University.
2010: Began relationship with David Mills
In 2010, Judi Dench began her relationship with David Mills, a conservationist.
2010: Patron of Ovingdean Hall School closure
Judi Dench was also patron of Ovingdean Hall School, a special day and boarding school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Brighton, which closed in 2010.
January 2011: Became patron of The Dr Hadwen Trust
On 15 January 2011, The Dr Hadwen Trust announced that Judi Dench had become a patron of the trust, joining others.
2011: Filming of Friend Request Pending
In 2011, Judi Dench filmed the indie short film Friend Request Pending.
2011: Reunion with John Madden for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
In 2011, Judi Dench reunited with director John Madden on the set of the comedy drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It also starred Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, and Penelope Wilton.
2011: Jane Eyre, My Week with Marilyn and J. Edgar release
In 2011, Judi Dench starred in "Jane Eyre" as Alice Fairfax, as well as "My Week with Marilyn" playing Sybil Thorndike, and "J. Edgar".
2011: Release of Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar and Cameo Appearances
In 2011, Judi Dench starred in Clint Eastwood's biographical drama J. Edgar as Anna Marie Hoover, the mother of J. Edgar 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 musician Sting and entrepreneur Richard Branson, publicly urged policy-makers to adopt more progressive drug policies by decriminalising drug use.
2011: Release of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
In 2011, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a sequel to the 2011 sleeper hit, was released.
2012: Became honorary patron of Everton in the Community
In 2012, Judi Dench became an honorary patron of Everton in the Community, the charity branch of Everton, of which she is a long-time supporter.
2012: Release of Friend Request Pending and Skyfall
In 2012, Judi Dench's short film Friend Request Pending received a wide release. She also 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 was released to positive reviews. It became a surprise box-office hit following its international release, eventually grossing $US134 million worldwide. Dench received Best Actress nominations at the British Independent Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
2012: Discussed macular degeneration
In early 2012, Judi Dench discussed her macular degeneration, with one eye "dry" and the other "wet", for which she has been treated with injections into the eye. She also stated that she needed someone to read scripts to her.
March 2013: Listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian
In March 2013, Judi Dench was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian.
2013: Starring in Philomena
In 2013, Judi Dench starred in the film Philomena, directed by Stephen Frears. She received widespread acclaim for her performance and was nominated for an Oscar.
2013: Underwent knee surgery
In 2013, Judi Dench underwent knee surgery and recovered from the procedure, stating that her knee was no longer an issue.
2013: Statement about her Quaker faith
In 2013, Judi Dench, a Quaker since her school years, stated that her faith informs everything she does and she couldn't be without it.
2014: Filming of Tulip Fever
In 2014, Judi Dench filmed Tulip Fever, which experienced delays before its release.
2014: Criticized ageism in the movie industry
In 2014, Judi Dench voiced her criticism of prejudice against older actresses in the movie industry, expressing her desire to not be limited by her age and to determine her capabilities for herself.
2014: Signed open letter regarding Scottish independence referendum
In 2014, Judi Dench was one of 200 celebrities to sign an open letter to the people of Scotland asking them to vote to remain part of the UK in that year's referendum.
2014: Discussed finding love again after her husband's death
In a 2014 interview with The Times magazine, Judi Dench discussed how she never expected to find love again after her husband's death, describing the relationship as very gradual and grown up.
May 2015: Performance in The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse
In May 2015, Judi Dench starred in The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse, with her daughter Finty Williams. The final performance was broadcast live on More4.
2015: Small-screen adaptation of Esio Trot
In 2015, Judi Dench appeared in Dearbhla Walsh's small-screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel Esio Trot, which was broadcast 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, The Hollow Crown, and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
In 2016, Judi Dench won an Olivier Award for The Winter's Tale and starred in The Hollow Crown and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
September 2017: Collaboration with Lethal Bizzle
In September 2017, Judi Dench collaborated with UK Grime MC Lethal Bizzle on a video. The collaboration highlighted the slang term "dench", which features in Bizzle's lyrics.
2017: Release of Tulip Fever and Victoria & Abdul
In 2017, Judi Dench starred in Justin Chadwick's Tulip Fever and reprised her role as Queen Victoria in Stephen Frears's Victoria & Abdul. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for Victoria & Abdul.
2017: Starring in Murder on the Orient Express
In 2017, Judi Dench starred in Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express, based on the novel by Agatha Christie. She portrayed Princess Dragomiroff.
2017: Appeared on Debrett's list of most influential people in the UK
In 2017, Judi Dench, as one of the highest-profile actresses in British popular culture, appeared on 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 Trevor Nunn's Red Joan and Kenneth Branagh's All Is True, and appeared in Roger Michell's documentary Nothing Like a Dame. All received mixed to favorable reviews.
October 1, 2019: Narrator for The EPCOT Experience
On October 1, 2019, Judi Dench became the narrator in the Walt Disney World's EPCOT attraction, The EPCOT Experience, a preview space for the park's expansion project, in Odyssey Pavilion.
May 2020: Cover of British Vogue
In May 2020, Judi Dench became the oldest British person to be featured on the cover of British Vogue.
2020: Starring in Artemis Fowl, Six Minutes to Midnight, and Blithe Spirit
In 2020, Judi Dench starred in Artemis Fowl, Six Minutes to Midnight, and Blithe Spirit, with all films receiving mixed to negative reviews.
2021: Roles in Off the Rails and Belfast
In 2021, Judi Dench appeared in Off the Rails and Kenneth Branagh's Belfast. She earned her eighth Academy Award nomination for Belfast.
March 2022: Spaceship Earth Narration Record
As of March 2022, Judi Dench's narration for the Walt Disney World Epcot attraction Spaceship Earth is the longest-running performance in the ride's history.
July 2022: Patron of Shakespeare North opening
Judi Dench is a patron of Shakespeare North, a cultural and educational venue that opened on 15 July 2022 in the town of Prescot, near Liverpool.
November 2022: Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench aired
In November 2022, the BBC aired Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench featuring Dench and documentarian Louis Theroux.
December 2022: Impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo"
At Hogmanay on 31 December 2022, Judi Dench joined Sharleen Spiteri in an impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo" at the Fife Arms hotel in Braemar, where they were both staying.
2022: Criticized Netflix show The Crown
In a 2022 opinion piece for The Times, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Judi Dench expressed criticism of the Netflix show The Crown, accusing it of "crude sensationalism" and being "cruelly unjust" to the individuals represented.
January 2023: Appearance in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends concert
In January 2023, Judi Dench appeared in the BBC concert, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, where she sang "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music.
March 2023: Appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
In March 2023, it was announced that Judi Dench would appear in a one-off show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, discussing her life and career with Gyles Brandreth. The show, titled I Remember It Well: Judi Dench in Conversation with Gyles Brandreth, would also feature her singing and performing excerpts from her past works.
April 2023: Subject of Channel 5 documentary
In April 2023, Judi Dench was the subject 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 both invited to ride in King Charles III's Royal Ascot Procession.
2024: Became a member of the Garrick Club
In 2024, Judi Dench and Siân Phillips became the first female members of the Garrick Club.
2024: Reported retirement from acting due to eyesight deterioration
In 2024, it was reported that Judi Dench's eyesight had deteriorated to the point where she is effectively retired from acting. Her eyesight problems prevent her from going out alone, although she still wants to work.
November 2025: Stated her eyesight had further deteriorated
In November 2025, during an interview she gave to ITV, Judi Dench stated that her eyesight had further deteriorated and that she was no longer able to see clearly.
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