Judi Dench Quotes

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About Judi Dench

Judi Dench, Dame Judith Olivia Dench to be precise, is a renowned British actress who has graced both the stage and screen with her exceptional talent. Born on December 9, 1934, in York, England, Dench developed an early interest in acting, which was nurtured by her parents, Eleanora Jessica (Robbins), a teacher of drama, and CP "James" Dench, a doctor. She attended the Mount Saint Margaret's School before moving on to the Central School of Speech and Drama. Dench made her professional acting debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she played numerous roles on stage and screen, but it was her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the film 'Shakespeare in Love' that brought her international acclaim in 1998, earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Dench became synonymous with the character of M in the James Bond franchise, first appearing as the character in 'GoldenEye' in 1995. Her portrayal of Queen Victoria in 'Mrs. Brown' (1997) also earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Dench continues to act into her eighties, with notable roles in films such as 'Philomena' (2013), 'Spectre' (2015), and 'Cats' (2019). Her versatility as an actress has earned her numerous accolades, including two Tony Awards, multiple BAFTAs, and six Academy Award nominations. Throughout her illustrious career, Dench has remained humble, crediting her success to hard work, dedication, and the support of her family. Her ability to embody a wide range of characters with depth and nuance continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you wait for the perfect moment, it might never come."

This quote emphasizes that procrastination or waiting for ideal circumstances can lead to missed opportunities. It encourages taking action, even when conditions are not perfect, as the alternative may be that one never acts at all.

"I don't think I've ever been nervous about acting. When the time comes to do it, I get on with it."

Judi Dench implies that she has a natural confidence and preparation when it comes to her acting abilities. Her calm demeanor before performances suggests an internal readiness that allows her to focus and execute her roles without being hindered by fear or anxiety, as she can rely on her skills and experience to deliver strong performances. This quote demonstrates Dench's professionalism and dedication towards her craft.

"Every actor wants to play Hamlet and every woman wants to play Lady Macbeth."

This quote highlights the universal desire among actors to portray iconic characters that showcase the full range of human emotion, intellect, and complexity. Hamlet is one such role for men, while Lady Macbeth represents a similar challenge for female performers. Both characters are complex, nuanced, and demand depth and skill from the actor to bring them to life, making them coveted roles in the acting world.

"I have a rule: never ask an actress what she's going to wear at a premiere – she might curse."

This quote highlights that actresses, like many women, value their personal style choices as private matters. Judi Dench is suggesting that inquiring about her outfit for a premiere could be seen as an invasion of privacy, and it may elicit a negative response if the actress feels compelled to reveal her plans. In essence, she's saying that fashion decisions are a form of self-expression and should not be discussed casually or without respecting personal boundaries.

"You can do anything with age, you just do it with a walking frame or a pair of crutches."

Judi Dench's quote suggests that one should not let age limit their ambitions or abilities. Instead, she emphasizes that as we grow older, we may require assistance like a walking frame or crutches, but this does not prevent us from achieving our goals. It underscores the power of determination and perseverance, regardless of age or limitations.

I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself - that is the best combination.

- Judi Dench

Think, I Think, Take, Yourself

I was in Yorkshire. We were a family of five and I used to be sent sometimes to get the rations for the week and I was easily able to carry them back. It was like one egg and a tiny bit of tea.

- Judi Dench

Egg, Week, Like, Yorkshire

I would like to work with Jack Nicholson, before it's too late.

- Judi Dench

Late, Too Late, Would, Nicholson

I would hate people to think bossy is all I can do.

- Judi Dench

Hate, Think, Would, Bossy

I don't really want to retire. I intend to go on working as long as I can because I still have a huge amount of energy.

- Judi Dench

Want, Still, Amount, Intend

I just feel incredibly lucky to be employed when there are so many actors and actresses who are not employed. That's why, you know, I sometimes feel desperate, in case I'm not going to be cast again.

- Judi Dench

Lucky, Desperate, Going, Case

I am so thrilled to be nominated for something I loved working on every single day.

- Judi Dench

Single, Something, Am, Every Single Day

It actually was a complete departure having a woman playing M. I didn't realize at the time that it would be so noticed.

- Judi Dench

Woman, Noticed, Having, Departure

The Lord Chamberlin was censoring scripts when I first came into the theater.

- Judi Dench

Theater, Lord, Came, Scripts

I can't read scripts any more because of the trouble with my eyes.

- Judi Dench

Trouble, More, Read, Scripts

Michael died five years ago this January, and the first thing that really struck me about the script was the part about her peeling off from the funeral and just getting into a rowboat and having a real kind of cry where nobody was.

- Judi Dench

Part, About, Died, Struck

Because, you know, I can't work a bicycle pump.

- Judi Dench

Work, Bicycle, Know, Pump

In the theatre you can change things ever so slightly; it's an organic thing. Whereas in film you only have that chance on the day, and you have no control over it at all.

- Judi Dench

Over, Over It, Slightly, Whereas

The more I do, the more frightened I get. But that is essential. Otherwise why would I go on doing it?

- Judi Dench

Doing, Otherwise, Would, Frightened

Frankly, I never had any intense desire to go to India. I know that sounds a bit strange, but it just never was someplace I had a burning desire to visit.

- Judi Dench

Desire, Go, Had, Intense Desire

My husband was actually very keen that I would become a Bond girl.

- Judi Dench

Very, Actually, Keen, Bond Girl

I don't think that care homes are all rotten old places that ought to be shut down.

- Judi Dench

Think, Old, Shut, Ought

I'm very conscious that I'm in the minority in that I love what I do. How big is the number of people who are running to work to do a job that they like? And how lucky to be employed at it - how incredibly lucky.

- Judi Dench

Love, Lucky, Very, Minority

Some things you know about, you know what the ingredients are - maybe not all of them. But it's up to you to put in the amount. It's up to the director to nag you until you get it right.

- Judi Dench

Some, Maybe, Amount, Ingredients

It is not good to cross the bridge before you get to it.

- Judi Dench

Get, Before, Cross, Bridge

It was good to learn so early. They're not going to be kind to you. You have to do it and get on, and then gulp down and get better.

- Judi Dench

Learn, Kind, Going, Early

I have no control over a film. I don't know what will be left on the cutting floor.

- Judi Dench

Will, Over, Left, Floor

People think you know beforehand when you win an Oscar - I can assure you you don't.

- Judi Dench

Think, Know, Oscar, Assure

I've got what my ma had, macular degeneration, which you get when you get old.

- Judi Dench

Old, Which, Ma, Degeneration

It is true that there are few plays of Shakespeare that I haven't done.

- Judi Dench

True, Few, Plays, Shakespeare

It's incredibly moving to hear some of our greatest actors performing Shakespeare.

- Judi Dench

Some, Performing, Incredibly, Shakespeare

Sometimes nudity is gratuitous. We just live in a society where everything goes.

- Judi Dench

Society, Sometimes, Goes, Gratuitous

And then it was working with Bob Hoskins, who I had never worked with before - except radio. It was like being given a wonderful meal - full of the things you love most.

- Judi Dench

Love, Before, Given, Bob

People seem to have this idea that I've always been very ambitious. Nothing could be further from the truth.

- Judi Dench

Always, Been, Very, Further

Anything that we can do to improve the lives of elderly people is welcome so far as I am concerned.

- Judi Dench

I Am, Concerned, Lives, Welcome

I've figured out what to do so far, but it's always the next thing you come to where the man with the bucket of ice cold water is waiting - whoosh! in your face. That's why you work with directors who know what to tell you to do.

- Judi Dench

Waiting, Next, Directors, Bucket

I work out the other bits, too, but I need to know what I look like, very early on. And then it's like a template; I'll fill that person out. If I get that out of the way, then I'm all right.

- Judi Dench

Other, Out, Very, Work Out

There are very few things that surprise me.

- Judi Dench

Surprise, Very, Things, Few Things

Actually, what I miss are people corpsing on stage.

- Judi Dench

People, Stage, Actually, Miss

I trained as a designer, so I'm always terribly keen about what I'm going to look like.

- Judi Dench

Always, Going, Trained, Keen

I love being part of a company, and telling a story.

- Judi Dench

Love, Telling, I Love, Company

The difficulty with any sort of esteem is that more is expected of you.

- Judi Dench

More, Esteem, Expected, Difficulty

I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me.

- Judi Dench

Want, Rather, Part, Great Things

Seriously, though, I think I never ceased to be grateful of the fact that I am able to do a job that I really love - I never got over that.

- Judi Dench

Love, Think, Over, Seriously

Work certainly does help fill a void.

- Judi Dench

Work, Help, Certainly, Void

I think you've got to have your feet planted firmly on the ground, especially in this business, and you must not believe things that are said or written about you, because everything gets out of proportion one way or the other.

- Judi Dench

Feet, Other, Firmly, Written

Since Michael died I think I've worked constantly. Friends and colleagues are very sustaining. They're the people who get you through it... It's no good to be on your own.

- Judi Dench

Think, Through, Sustaining, Worked

I've always loved painting, although I never show anyone what I've done. Mainly because I don't do it well. But it's like a form of visual diary for me. A way of fixing things in my mind.

- Judi Dench

Loved, Show, Mainly, Fixing

I wanted to be a set designer when I was young.

- Judi Dench

Young, Set, Wanted, Designer

In contrast, the control you have in a theatre is very attractive to me.

- Judi Dench

Attractive, Contrast, Very, Theatre

The theater is the thing I love doing most.

- Judi Dench

Love, Doing, Most, Theater

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.

- Judi Dench

Think, Give, Through, Advice

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