Judi Dench Rejects 'National Treasure' Label in New Memoir — SkimNews
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- Judi Dench dismissed being called a 'national treasure,' saying it makes her sound like a 'dusty old relic,' despite widespread public affection and acclaim.
- Judi Dench revealed a Hollywood producer once told her she had 'every single thing wrong with her face' and would never make a movie, leading her to focus on theatre early in her career.
- Judi Dench achieved major film success in the 1990s with roles as M in the Bond series and an Oscar-winning performance in Shakespeare in Love, though she still identifies primarily as a stage actor.
- Judi Dench shared humorous anecdotes from her career, including pranking fellow actors with cider vinegar drinks and wearing a dildo as a scarf on opening night of Madame de Sade.
- Judi Dench paid tribute to Maggie Smith, describing her as 'intensely private' and occasionally 'lonely,' with a tendency to put up an 'electric fence' around herself emotionally.
- Judi Dench co-authored the memoir Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? with Brendan O’Hea, using a question-and-answer format that prioritizes themes over chronology, despite some granular and repetitive questioning.
Why it matters: At 91, Dench’s refusal to retire and her candid reflections challenge the cultural expectation that aging public figures should fade quietly, reinforcing that her artistic drive remains undimmed despite declining eyesight and industry ageism.
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