Dame Judi Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA

Dame Judi Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA - Torch Theatre Patron

Judi Dench was born in York and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.  Her stage debut was as Ophelia in Hamlet at the Old Vic, followed by seasons at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and the National Theatre in London.  Television credits include A Fine Romance, in which she starred with her husband, the late Michael Williams, and the long-running series As Time Goes By. 

Her most recent film is Belfast.   Other film credits include Blithe Spirit, Red Joan, All is True, Murder on the Orient Express, Mrs. Brown, Shakespeare in Love (for which she won an Oscar), The Last of the Blond Bombshells, Iris, Ladies in Lavender, Notes on a Scandal and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  She has played "M" in eight James Bond films.  Her most recent stage appearance was in The Winter’s Tale at the Garrick Theatre.  She received an OBE in 1970, was elevated to a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1988 and made a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List in 2005.  She has one daughter, Finty Williams, also an actress.