Judi Dench
Birth Place: York, ENGLAND
Rufus Hound Will Lead JACK & SARAH World Premiere at The Mill at Sonning (Feb 25, 2026)
Lorna Dallas to Perform THE CABARET FILES at Chelsea Table + Stag (Feb 5, 2026)
Graham Bickley, Rob Houchen, and Kelly Mathieson Join Ramin Karimloo in TO MAURY, WITH LOVE (Jan 21, 2026)
BIO
Dame Judi Dench is considered one of Britain's best actors of all time. Since playing Ophelia in 'Hamlet' at The Old Vic Theatre over 60 years ago, Judi has garnered wide popular and critical admiration for a career marked by outstanding performances in both classical and contemporary roles. She has won numerous major awards - including an Academy Award,10 BAFTA Awards and a record eight Laurence Olivier Awards - for work on both stage and screen, and in recognition of her many achievements she received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1970, became a DBE (Dame of the British Empire) in 1988, and in 2005 was awarded a Companion of Honour. She has also received the Japan Arts Association's prestigious Praemium Imperiale Laureate Award for Film and Theatre. Judi is recognised globally for her legendary role as M in seven James Bond films, from 'Goldeneye' to 'Skyfall'. Her other film work includes 'Tea With Mussolini', directed by Franco Zeffirelli; 'A Room With a View' and 'A Handful of Dust', both of which brought her BAFTA Awards for Best Supporting Actress; 'Henry V' and 'Hamlet', both directed Kenneth Branagh; 'Philomena', directed by Stephen Frears; Jane Eyre, directed by Cary Fukunaga; 'My Week with Marilyn', directed by Simon Curtis; 'J. Edgar', directed by Clint Eastwood; the hugely successful India-set comedy 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', and its sequel 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', both directed by John Madden; Roald Dahl's 'Esio Trot', opposite Dustin Hoffman; and 'Shakespeare in Love', directed by John Madden. Judi can currently be seen on screen in Richard Eyre's, Allelujah!
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
winner
Judi DenchThe Winter's Tale
Judi DenchPeter And Alice
Judi DenchAll's Well That Ends Wel
winner
Dame Judi Dench
winner
Judi DenchLindsay Duncan
Judi DenchFilumena
Judi Dench , Amy's View
winner
Judi Dench, Amy's View
Judi DenchAmy's View
winner
Judi Dench, A Little Night Music
Judi DenchThe Gift Of The Gorgon, RSC
Judi DenchThe Boys From Syracuse
winner
Judi DenchAntony And Cleopatra
winner
Judi DenchPack Of Lies
Judi Dench, Other Places
Judi DenchThe Importance Of Being Earnest
winner
Judi Dench, Juno And The Paycock, RSC
winner
Judi DenchMacbeth
Videos
Video: Judi Dench and More Perform From TWELFTH NIGHT at 2025 Orange Tree Theatre Fundraiser
by Stephi Wild - 2026-01-08 07:21:37
Video: Watch Ramin Karimloo Perform 'Only With You' From NINE
by Michael Major - 2025-01-30 10:04:34
VIDEO: Dame Judi Dench Sings 'Waterloo' By ABBA With Sharleen Spiteri
by Michael Major - 2023-01-04 11:27:10
VIDEO: Watch Bernadette Peters, Judi Dench, and More in SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Concert Trailer
by Blair Ingenthron - 2022-12-24 09:34:34
VIDEO: Watch Highlights from OLD FRIENDS, Celebrating Stephen Sondheim!
by Nicole Rosky - 2022-05-04 09:16:27
VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Starring Michael Ball, Hannah Waddingham, Judi Dench & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-04-27 12:13:54
VIDEO: Dame Judi Dench Talks BELFAST, TikTok, and More on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS
by Stephi Wild - 2022-01-21 08:12:37
VIDEO: Jason Derulo Reacts to his CATS Acting on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-09-16 09:08:34
TV: Neil Sean Meets Celebrated Film and Stage Composer George Fenton
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-07-13 16:01:00
VIDEO: Neil Sean Meets Composer George Fenton to Discuss MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
by Stephi Wild - 2020-07-13 12:01:00
VIDEO: Judi Dench Puts David Tennant and Michael Sheen in Their Place on STAGED
by Stephi Wild - 2020-07-11 19:13:30
VIDEO: Dame Judi Dench Expresses Concern For the Return of Theatre
by Stephi Wild - 2020-06-25 07:07:01
VIDEO: Judi Dench Answers Questions From Daniel Craig, Sam Smith, Cara Delevingne, and More on British Vogue's ASK A LEGEND
by Stephi Wild - 2020-05-10 10:34:10
VIDEO: YouTuber Lindsay Ellis Attempts to Explain CATS in New Video Essay
by Stephi Wild - 2020-04-05 17:45:26
VIDEO: See Colin Farrell in the New ARTEMIS FOWL Teaser Trailer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2020-03-17 16:29:24
VIDEO: See Dan Stevens & Judi Dench in the Trailer for BLITHE SPIRIT
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-02-26 10:09:50
VIDEO: James Corden and Rebel Wilson Present at the Oscars While Dressed as Cats
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-02-09 22:46:14
VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Explains the Plot of CATS to Colbert on THE LATE SHOW
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-12-20 08:42:07
News
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2026
Actor Rufus Hound will lead the cast in the world premiere of JACK & SARAH at The Mill at Sonning, marking a significant addition to the theatre's season. Learn more here!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2026
Lorna Dallas, one of cabaret's most acclaimed and cherished artists and the recipient of a 2020 Bistro Award for “Consummate Cabaret Artistry,” returns to Chelsea Table + Stage.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2026
Graham Bickley, Rob Houchen, and Kelly Mathieson are set to join Ramin Karimloo in the upcoming production of TO MAURY, WITH LOVE.
by - Jan 9, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 9, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
Wendell Pierce will be honored with Shakespeare Theatre Company's Will Award at its annual Gala, All the World’s a Stage. The annual Sea Change Award will be presented to arts philanthropists Sudhakar and Alka Kesavan.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 8, 2026
In January 2025, Gyles Brandreth and an all-star cast joined together for a special celebration of Twelfth Night, all in support of the Orange Tree Theatre's Shakespeare in Schools projects. Watch the video here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 5, 2026
In personal celebration of Stephen Sondheim, an all new tribute podcast will be released by Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones, on all streaming platforms. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2026
The Mill at Sonning has announced the rest of its in-house productions for the whole of 2026, following the previously announced farce Cash On Delivery by Michael Cooney, running 5 February - 4 April. Learn more here!
by - Dec 16, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 16, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 15, 2025
Judi Dench was surprised onstage by Mick Jagger, after she recently mentioned that it was her 'dream' to meet him. Learn more about the surprise appearance and check out photos here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center has revealed its 2025-2026 West Boca Theatre Company season, featuring a lineup of award-winning comedic and dramatic productions.
![SUZY EDDIE IZZARD TALKS SHAKESPEEARE N'STUFF [FORSOOTH] is Coming to Chicago Shakespe Photo](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/columnpiccloud/200200-e18100e22459a5182a4513627caa075e.jpg)
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater will present a one-night-only benefit event: Suzy Eddie Izzard Talks Shakespeare N’Stuff [Forsooth] in January in The Yard.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 29, 2025
King’s Head Theatre & James Quaife Productions have released photos of their pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk, co-produced by both companies.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2025
Eddie Izzard will bring Hamlet to Los Angeles for seven performances only at The Montalbán Theatre following runs in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and London.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025
Tony Award-nominated Eddie Izzard will bring Shakespeare's Hamlet to life in a dynamic new staging of the iconic play, adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell, in Los Angeles.
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 12, 2025
In honor of the film’s 20th anniversary this year, Focus Features is re-releasing Pride & Prejudice in a restored 4K Ultra HD edition. The 4K release will hit shelves on November 25, 2025.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2025
Mountview, one of the UK’s leading drama schools, will celebrate its 80th anniversary by appointing Dame Elaine Paige DBE, Eddie Marsan OBE, and Giles Terera MBE as its first-ever Vice Presidents.
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Oct 27, 2025
Directed by Daniel Raggett, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s brings a new version of Macbeth to the small studio space in Stratford-upon-Avon. Starring Sam Heughan, best known for his role in the series Outlander, and Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. This staging imagines the play in a gangland pub in 20th-century Glasgow, with its characters as violent criminals.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2025
To celebrate multi-Tony Award winning composer Maury Yeston's 80th birthday, producer Danielle Tarento will present a concert of his most well know and loved music, directed by Thom Southerland, and led by Ramin Karimloo.
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 6, 2025
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that John Woodvine, a longtime star of the stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 96. In a career that spanned six decades, the performer appeared in more than 70 productions, including those at the Old Vic, the National Theater, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Judi Dench has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.
Judi Dench has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.
Judi Dench's first West End show was Cabaret which opened in 1968
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for The Winter's Tale, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Peter And Alice, Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for All's Well That Ends Wel, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lindsay Duncan, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Filumena , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Amy's View, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Amy's View, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Amy's View, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for The Gift Of The Gorgon, RSC, Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Boys From Syracuse , Actress of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Antony And Cleopatra, Actress of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Pack Of Lies, Actress of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Other Places, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for The Importance Of Being Earnest, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Juno And The Paycock, RSC and Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Macbeth.
Judi Dench has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. She won Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Olivier Awards for The Winter's Tale. She also received the Lebedev Special Award from the Evening Standard Awards. At the Drama Desk Awards, she earned Outstanding Actress in a Play for Lindsay Duncan. Dench won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Amy's View. Her achievements at the Olivier Awards include Best Actress in a Musical for A Little Night Music, Actress of the Year for Antony and Cleopatra, Actress of the Year in a New Play for Pack of Lies, Actress of the Year in a Revival for Juno and the Paycock, and Actress of the Year in a Revival for Macbeth.
Videos