Dench, Judi(th) Olivia (1934– )

English actor. She made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet (1957) with the Old Vic Company. Her Shakespearean roles include Viola (1969), Lady Macbeth (1976), and Cleopatra (1987). She became a prolific film actor, known for her roles as stern, dignified leaders, from the mid-1980s, appearing in such films as Merchant Ivory Productions' A Room with a View (1986), and John Madden's historical dramas Mrs Brown (1997), and Shakespeare in Love (1998, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress). From 1995 she also became known for her supporting role as M in several of the Bond films films.

Dench was born and grew up in York, receiving her theatrical training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She worked with Kenneth Branagh on the Shakespearean adaptations Henry V (1989) and Hamlet (1996). Other films include the literary adaptations A Handful of Dust (1988), Chocolat (2000; Academy Award nomination), The Shipping News (2001), and Pride and Prejudice (2005). She also starred in the Stephen Frears comedy Mrs Henderson Presents (2005; Academy Award nomination). In 1999 she received the Tony Award for her role in Amy's View. She was created a DBE in 1988.