Judi Dench publishes memoir after 69 years in acting

Dame Judi Dench has released her first memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, marking the latest chapter in a career spanning nearly seven decades. The book, published this week, offers an intimate look at the life of the 91-year-old actress, who continues to perform despite significant health challenges.

The memoir is structured as a series of conversations between Dench and Brendan O'Hea, an actor and close friend of 30 years. O'Hea noted that the writing process revealed that Dench's mischievous and generous personality has roots in her childhood. He attributed this demeanor to her Quaker upbringing and a supportive family environment. Dench agreed, describing her family life as a stroke of luck that shaped her early years.

Dench's professional journey began in 1957 at London's Old Vic Theatre, where she played Ophelia in Hamlet. She did not secure a leading role in a feature film until 40 years later when she appeared in Mrs. Brown. Despite her success in cinema, she has maintained a strong preference for live theater. She explained that she values the nightly opportunity for a group of actors to refine their performance together, contrasting this with the finality of a film cut once a director calls it.

Early in her career, a film producer told Dench that her face was entirely wrong for the screen. She recalled walking out of that meeting and returning to the stage, which she called the "glorious Old Vic." While she said the criticism did not stop her from pursuing film, she admitted the comment may have remained in her subconscious. She believes the experience helped reduce her vanity, stating that her insides have dealt with the remark over time.

Her persistence led to one of the most recognizable careers in cinema. Dench has received eight Academy Award nominations, winning one for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. She is also widely known for portraying M, the head of MI6, in eight James Bond films. She recalled a recent lunch with actor Pierce Brosnan, where they discussed their initial fear when filming their first Bond movie together. Dench attributed that fear to the weight of responsibility attached to the role.

In her home in England, Dench has planted trees to honor friends and family, including her late husband, actor Michael Williams, and the late actress Maggie Smith. She planted a crabapple tree specifically for Smith, citing the late actress's wit and humor. Dench remains awestruck by legendary figures, recounting how she was dumbstruck when Sidney Poitier visited her home. She said her status as Dame Judi Dench did not diminish the impact of meeting Poitier.

Dench faces challenges with her vision due to macular degeneration, a condition that has left her almost blind. She joked about a recent game of Bananagrams, noting that her friend had to be patient with an "almost-blind person" as she claimed to have all the vowels. Although she feels she can no longer take on new roles because of her sight, her memory for text remains sharp.

She recently demonstrated this skill by reciting an hour of Shakespeare from memory. The performance included lines from Antony and Cleopatra, which she delivered without errors. Dench acknowledged the difficulties of aging, such as the inability to read or attend the theater, but maintained that her connection to the craft and her command of language remain intact.