Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Judi Dench Biography

Birth Name:Judith Olivia Dench

Birth Place:Heworth, York, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Music department

Fast Facts

Was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1970
Has to have all of her scripts read aloud to her, as she suffers from macular degeneration, leaving her eyesight in poor health
Initially wanted to become a theater designer but changed her mind after seeing a production of "King Lear․"
Grew up around stage productions after her father became the general practitioner for the York theatre
Quote: "The thing about not reading scripts and my wanting a director to tell me a story is a risk I need to take․ I need that real fear․ It's like going nearer and nearer to the edge of something․"
Quote: "I don't think anybody can be told how to act․ I think you can give advice․ But you have to find your own way through it․"
Often accepts roles with strong-willed and dignified characters in a position of great authority
Best known for her role as M, the head of MI6, in the James Bond film series
Lent her distinctive voice to several voiceover roles over the years, including classical Shakespeare plays
One of the few actresses awarded an Oscar for a role with less than 10 minutes of screen time
Admittedly enjoys performing live and on stage first, followed by television, then films

Awards

1966BAFTA Film Award-Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles: winner
1980BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: nominated
1982BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: winner
1982Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: winner
1983BAFTA TV Award-Best Light Entertainment Performance: nominated
1984BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: nominated
1984BAFTA TV Award-Best Light Entertainment Performance: nominated
1985BAFTA TV Award-Best Light Entertainment Performance: winner
1986BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1986Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: winner
1986CableACE-Actress in a Dramatic Special/Series: winner
1986Best Actress-Best TV Movie: winner
1987BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1988BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1989BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1990BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1997BAFTA Scotland Award-Best Actress - Film: winner
1997NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997STFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1998Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1998ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1998BAFTA TV Award-Best Comedy Performance: nominated
1998BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1998CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
1998KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1998ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
1998NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1998NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actress: nominated
1998OFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
1998SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
1999Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: winner
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1999Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
1999NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1999Critics Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
1999SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2000SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: winner
2001DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001NYFCO Award-Best Actress: winner
2001OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2002Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2002Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2002DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002EFA People's Choice Award-Best European Actress: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2002Sierra Award-Best Actress: nominated
2002ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
2002PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2002Golden Aries-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2003Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005EFA People's Choice Award-Best European Actress: nominated
2005ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2005LAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2005NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005SLFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2006EDA Award-Best Actress in a Dramatic Performance: nominated
2006ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2006BSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2006ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2006NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2006SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Hairstyle: nominated
2006TFCA Award-Best Performance, Female: nominated
2007Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2007Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2007BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2007British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: nominated
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2007INOCA-Best Actress: nominated
2007IOMA-Best Actress (Miglior attrice protagonista): nominated
2007ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: nominated
2007ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2007National Movie Award-Best Performance by a Female: nominated
2007NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007OFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007VFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2008BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: nominated
2008Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: nominated
2008Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2008TV Quick Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2009IOFCP Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2009Special Achievement Award-Best Ensemble, Motion Picture: winner
2009WAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2010Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2010Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2011Capri Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2011Mommie Dearest Worst Screen Mom of the Year Award-: winner
2012Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2012EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2012BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2012British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2012CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2012Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2012PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2012Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: winner
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2013Narrative Competition-Best Actress: winner
2013Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2013EDA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2013EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: winner
2013EDA Female Focus Award-Female Icon of the Year: nominated
2013BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013BSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013Cinema Bloggers Award-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
2013Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in an Action Movie: nominated
2013Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013CCOP-Best Supporting Actress (Melhor Atriz Secundária): nominated
2013DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2013Empire Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013FFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2013Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2013ALFS Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2013OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013International Star Award-: winner
2013PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2013Rembrandt Award-Best International Actress (Beste Buitenlandse Actrice): nominated
2013RAFA-Best British Performance of the Year: nominated
2013SFFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013WAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013WFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Feature Film: nominated
2014AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: winner
2014Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2014GAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2014IFTA Award-Best International Actress: winner
2014IOMA-Best Actress (Miglior attrice protagonista): nominated
2014ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: nominated
2014ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2015CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2015Cinema Bloggers Award-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2015CCOP-Best Actress (Melhor Atriz): nominated
2015Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
2016Emmy-Best Performance by an Actress: nominated
2017NTFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Felix-Best Actress: nominated
2018AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2018CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
2018ALFS Award-British/Irish Actress of the Year: nominated
2018Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2019EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2020Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
2021BAFTA Cymru Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2021Radio Times Award-TV Moment of the Year: winner
2022AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2022Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2022Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2023CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated