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Judi Dench

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File:JudiDench.jpg
Dame Judi Dench as the widowed Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown

Dame Judith Olivia Dench, CH, DBE, better known as Judi Dench (born on December 9 1934 in North Yorkshire, England), is an Oscar-winning English stage, film and television actor. Dame Judi came first in a poll to find Britain's best actress.

Early life

When she was thirteen, she entered The Mount School in York. Today, she is a patron of Friends' School Saffron Walden.

Career

In her native country, Dame Judi has developed a reputation as arguably the greatest actress in post-World War II history, primarily through her work in theatre, which has been her main forte throughout her career.

She received her professional training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet in Liverpool in 1957. She subsequently spent several seasons in repertory in Oxford and Nottingham. In 1961 she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and made numerous appearances with the company in Stratford and London over the next two decades, winning several best actress awards.

Dame Judi has also made numerous appearances in the West End and with the National Theatre in London. She is a multiple winner of the main awards for performances on the London stage, including a record six Laurence Olivier Awards. She has also appeared with success on Broadway in Amy's Room.

As she enters her seventies, Dame Judi remains probably the biggest draw on the London stage. She is often compared and contrasted with Dame Maggie Smith, another British actress of the same generation, with whom she has appeared in several movies and on stage in David Hare's two-hander Breath of Life.

Her many television appearances include the series As Time Goes By and the aforementioned A Fine Romance. She has also occasionally directed plays.

She is planned to return to the West End stage in April 2006 in Hay Fever alongside Peter Bowles, Belinda Lang and Kim Medcalf.

Private life

In 1971 she married British actor Michael Williams and they had their only child, Tara Cressida Williams (aka "Finty Williams"), on 24 September 1972. Their daughter later became an actor like her parents. Judi starred with her husband in the 1980s British sitcom, A Fine Romance. Michael Williams died of lung cancer at the age of 65 in 2001.

Dame Judi is of the Quaker faith.

File:Judi Dench.jpg
Dench as Jean Pargetter

Selected filmography

James Bond

File:Judi dench.jpg

In 1995 she took over the role of M in the James Bond series and has appeared in the films:

Judi Dench has also been confirmed by the producers of the Bond film series as returning to the role for the 2006 film, Casino Royale.

In 2004 she lent her voice for the role of M in two James Bond video games, Everything or Nothing and GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.

Selected discography

Selected awards and recognition

Theatre

Film and television

Other

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