Young Judi Dench: Life Story and Gorgeous Photos of One of the Most Celebrated Actresses of her Generation

Judi Dench is a multi-award-winning actress, artist, and author. Her career span over seven decades and she is known for her perfectionism, masterly techniques, unique style of expression, and ability to master even the most difficult roles. She has portrayed numerous stage roles and worked in television and movies.

Her first stage appearance was as a snail in a play at her Quaker junior school. Dench made her stage debut in 1957 as Ophelia in the Old Vic production of “Hamlet”. The following year she made her Broadway debut in “Twelfth Night”. In 1959, Dench appeared in the television series “Hilda Lessways”. The 1960s brought her to the big screen and she earned her first British Academy award for her portrayal of a young wife in the movie “Four in the morning (19650)”. She gained international recognition in the 1990s as a character in the James Bond franchise and she reprised the character for another six Bond films. In 1996, Dench made history by winning two Laurence Olivier awards for different roles. She was named an Order of the British Empire in 1970 and honored with the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1988. Dench performed in more than 150 movies, Television shows, and theatres in her career and she is still active in the showbiz industry. In 2020, Dench became the oldest star to appear on the cover of British Vogue in its 104-year history.

Dench married actor Michael Williams in 1971 and they remained married until his death in 2001. The couple had one child, the actress Finty Williams.

Here below are some stunning photos of young Judi Dench from her early career and life.

#1 Judi Dench at a dress rehearsal of ‘Hamlet’ at the Old Vic theatre, London, 11th September 1957.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 Judi Dench at the Old Vic, London, 15th September 1957.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 Judi Dench wearing a wig and a long ruffled gown, 1962.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 Judi Dench, 14th May 1969.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#5 Judi Dench with her first baby, 1972.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 Judi Dench doing her makeup in front of a mirror, 1975.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 20-years-old Judi Dench, 1957.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#8 Judi Dench with actress Margaret Courtenay, 1959.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#9 Judi Dench holding a script of ‘Henry The Fifth’, 1960.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#10 Judi Dench as Juliet and John Stride as Romeo in a rehearsal of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo And Juliet’ at the Old Vic, London, 30th September 1960.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#11 Judi Dench with Peggy Mount in the Old Vics new production of Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet”, 1960.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#12 Judi Dench and actor Eric Porter with their British Academy for Film and Television Arts awards, 1967.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#13 Judi Dench in her dressing room after the successful first night of the musical “Cabaret”, 1965.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#14 Judi Dench standing on a bed in a scene from episode ‘Anytime You’re Ready I’ll Sparkle’, of the television series ‘Talking to a Stranger’, June 15th 1966.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#15 Judi Dench, 4th August 1967.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#16 Judi Dench as ‘Ophelia’, at the Old Vic Theatre, London.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#17 Judi Dench, 17th November 1967.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#18 Judi Dench at her home in UK, 17th November 1967.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#19 Judi Dench wearing a fashionable Christian Dior designed beret, February 1968.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#20 Judi Dench as Titania and Paul Rogers as Bottom during the filming of Shakespeare’s play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, 1968.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#21 Judi Dench as Sally Bowles in a photocall for Harold Prince’s production of ‘Cabaret’ at the Palace Theatre, London, 27th February 1968.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#22 Judi Dench modelling a muti-coloured grosgrain beret from the Christian Dior spring collection, 1968.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#23 Judi Dench sitting on a bar counter, UK, 9th April 1968.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#24 Judi Dench and Barrie Ingham star in A Winters Tale, 1969.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#25 Judi Dench and Michael Williams getting married at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Hampstead, London, February 5th 1971.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#26 Judi Dench with Polly James in The Merchant of Venice, 1971.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#27 Outdoor portrait of Judi Dench, October 1971.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#28 Judi Dench at Heathrow airport in London as she awaits a flight to Tokyo, Japan on 1st February 1972.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#29 Judi Dench sitting on a brick wall outside her home in Hampstead, 1973.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#30 Judi Dench with John Mills and JB Priestley during rehearsals for a musical version of his novel ‘The Good Companions’, London, 1974.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#31 Judi Dench, May 1974.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#32 Judi Dench with Donald Sinden in London, 1976.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#33 Judi Dench with Michael Williams standing next to a river, January 27th 1977.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#34 Judi Dench photographed in February 1979

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#35 Judi Dench receiving one of her many awards, 1979.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#36 Judi Dench with Susan Penhaligon stars of ITV TV comedy programme’ A Fine Romance’, October 1981

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#37 Judi Dench with John Neville at London Airport, 1959.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#38 Judi Dench as the Queen and Alec McCowen in the title role at a dress rehearsal for a production of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard II’ at the Old Vic, London, 4th May 1960.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#39 Judi Dench at home, 17th November 1967.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#40 Judi Dench relaxing in the sofa Dench at home, 1967.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#41 Judi Dench, December 1977.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#42 Judi Dench with John Stride. 16th September 1960

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#43 Judi Dench using a telephone in bed, in a scene from television series ‘Talking to a Stranger’, June 15th 1966.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote