Judi Dench
Birth Place: York, ENGLAND
How to Watch 2026 Tony Award Nominees at Home: THE LOST BOYS, SCHMIGADOON! & More (May 16, 2026)
MEXODUS, 11 TO MIDNIGHT and More Nominated for 2026 Off Broadway Alliance Awards (May 13, 2026)
Photos: Jessica Vosk, Adrienne Warren, and More Attend WP Theater Gala (May 13, 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: Jessie Buckley Recalls CATS Movie Audition: 'I Gave the Worst Audition of my Life'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-06 15:50:12
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
News
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2026
The nominations are here for the 2026 Tony Awards. This year, a high number of titles have onscreen counterparts, and we have rounded up how to watch these versions at home, from The Lost Boys to Schmigadoon!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
The Off Broadway Alliance has revealed the nominees for the 15th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, honoring commercial and not-for-profit productions that opened Off Broadway during the 2025-2026 season.
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026
On Monday May 11, WP Theater celebrated their annual gala honoring extraordinary achievement by women+ artists and industry leaders. Check out photos here!
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 3, 2026
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is set to host a charity event, Supper with the Stars on May 13. The event is holding an online silent auction paired with the event, and one of the items available for bidding is a painting by Judi Dench.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2026
Simon Russell Beale will return to the Barbican to narrate Greg Doran's production of Shakespeare's great poem Venus & Adonis, animated by a team of world-class puppeteers.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2026
Christine Baranski will be honored with Shakespeare Theatre Company's inaugural Michael Kahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Baranski joins previously announced honorees Wendell Pierce and Sudhakar and Alka Kesavan.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 1, 2026
Shakespeare in the Squares has announced its annual return to London’s outdoor spaces and leafy squares this summer for its tenth anniversary production, Love’s Labour’s Lost
by Stephi Wild - Mar 23, 2026
West End theatres will dim their lights at 7pm on March 25 to honor the late Robert Fox, a distinguished producer, on his birthday. Learn more about Robert here!
by Gillian Blum - Mar 21, 2026
Robert Fox, a producer on Broadway and West End shows, and the executive producer of Netflix's The Crown, died at 73, according to Deadline, and his collaborator Hugh Jackman paid tribute to him.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 19, 2026
BroadwayWorld can exclusively reveal new details of two previously unknown Stephen Sondheim songs, which debut on Thursday's episode of the podcast series Loving You: The Untold Sondheim.
by Elliot Lanes - Mar 13, 2026
Today’s subject Suzy Eddie Izzard is an award-winning performer, marathon runner, and author. Her tour de force solo show The Tragedy of Hamlet will be seen right here in DC at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) from March 27th to April 11th. The show will be performed in STC’s Klein Theatre.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 6, 2026
Jessie Buckley revealed she gave 'the worst audition of my life' for the 2019 Cats movie. The Hamnet Oscar nominee shared the hilarious story on The Tonight Show.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2026
Chris Demos will star in the upcoming festival performance of CHIPS IN THE NIGHT, marking a notable return to the stage. The event is set to captivate audiences with its intriguing narrative and dynamic production.
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!
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 won several awards throughout her career, including: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for The Winter's Tale; the Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards); Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lindsay Duncan; Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Amy's View; Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for A Little Night Music; 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 Revival (Olivier Awards) for Juno and the Paycock; and Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Macbeth.
Videos
