M Judi Dench Quotes & Sayings

I started off as a theatre designer, and by some extraordinary circumstance I saw something in Stratford-upon-Avon, and realized that that's the kind of design I want, but also that that's the kind of designer I'll never be. — Judi Dench

I want to end up like Judi Dench. I want to have nice consistent work, doing lovely things, no matter how big or small they might be. I'd like to turn into a wise old thing. — Kate Winslet

I can't read scripts any more because of the trouble with my eyes. — Judi Dench

The need for a global structure of control in the form of a world environment court is now more urgent than ever before. — Judi Dench

I do admire Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, but I'm a philistine. I like the good life too much; I'm not good at going on stage night after night and on wet Wednesday afternoons. — Anthony Hopkins

The secret of my success is my mother, who was from Dublin. All my relations are in Dublin or in the west, or as I found out, we went to Rostrevor in Northern Ireland to film and I got out, while they changed cars around, and this man said to me: "You know you have cousins in this town? And they're coming down to see you ... " And so they did. I'm sorry we didn't go to a lot more places, so that I could find a lot more cousins. So, that was good. It's entirely because my father was also brought up in Dublin. So, that's my link. — Judi Dench

I would like to be where Diana Rigg or Judi Dench is, but I expect it is as good as it is going to get. — Kate O'Mara

Filming is completely - was totally new to me ... I had a movie career which wasn't supposed to be, so I couldn't be more thrilled. For those who work, parts seem to get more interesting. — Judi Dench

I admire the work of brilliant actresses such as Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren, who have had such varied careers. They have never stopped working, and they are as great today as they ever were. — Cate Blanchett

Some things you know about, you know what the ingredients are - maybe not all of them. But it's up to you to put in the amount. It's up to the director to nag you until you get it right. — Judi Dench

Judi Dench has always been the benchmark for me. Everything I have seen her do is incredible. I also really admire Cate Blanchett. In terms of people I have worked with, there is no one more admirable than Hugh Jackman, for his spirit, energy, generosity and hard work. — Laura Donnelly

Michael died five years ago this January, and the first thing that really struck me about the script was the part about her peeling off from the funeral and just getting into a rowboat and having a real kind of cry where nobody was. — Judi Dench

It actually was a complete departure having a woman playing M. I didn't realize at the time that it would be so noticed. — Judi Dench

You'll see Dame Judi Dench in a Bond film, in Shakespeare and then starring in her own sitcom. You never see that here with Meryl Streep. — Alan Cumming

Work certainly does help fill a void. — Judi Dench

I've always loved painting, although I never show anyone what I've done. Mainly because I don't do it well. But it's like a form of visual diary for me. A way of fixing things in my mind. — Judi Dench

I trained as a designer, so I'm always terribly keen about what I'm going to look like. — Judi Dench

I get sillier as I get older, so I don't know what wisdom means. I can only pass on something that I've been acquainted with and let whomever it is pick the bones out of it — Judi Dench

When we are together, there is nothing we cannot achieve', which is something Michael used to say. — Judi Dench

I want to do something where I play Judi Dench's younger sister or daughter. — Dawn French

I like to push myself beyond the limit every now and again. — Judi Dench

Judi Dench should be ashamed of herself for being so talented and working so much. — Judy Parfitt

I don't think anybody can be told how to act. I think you can give advice. But you have to find your own way through it. — Judi Dench

Judi Dench is incredible. She takes acting to another level. She is a thorough professional. She is always smiling and cheerful. She painstakingly rehearses with co-stars and allows you to be natural. — Tena Desae

I would hate people to think bossy is all I can do. — Judi Dench

I'm very conscious that I'm in the minority in that I love what I do. How big is the number of people who are running to work to do a job that they like? And how lucky to be employed at it - how incredibly lucky. — Judi Dench

I tried to find a rhythm, and I stopped comparing myself to anybody else. One of the great phrases for me is "Compare and despair." If I compare myself to Kate Middleton or Dame Judi Dench, I'm going to come out at the bottom and be sad. — Jamie Lee Curtis

I just feel incredibly lucky to be employed when there are so many actors and actresses who are not employed. That's why, you know, I sometimes feel desperate, in case I'm not going to be cast again. — Judi Dench

This is just the loveliest news. I'm so happy for everybody involved, and so proud to have been part of the wonderful experience that Philomena has been. — Judi Dench

Because, you know, I can't work a bicycle pump. — Judi Dench

The more I do, the more frightened I get. But that is essential. Otherwise why would I go on doing it? — Judi Dench

In contrast, the control you have in a theatre is very attractive to me. — Judi Dench

Most things don't work out as expected, but what happens instead often turns out to be the good stuff. — Judi Dench

I have a completely new knee. It's brilliant. I am not feeling my age at all. I feel about 43, a willowy blonde 43 years old with long legs. — Judi Dench

Seriously, though, I think I never ceased to be grateful of the fact that I am able to do a job that I really love - I never got over that. — Judi Dench

The Lord Chamberlin was censoring scripts when I first came into the theater. — Judi Dench

I have never had anything done to my face because then you end up looking as they all do in America. Look at Judi Dench: she would never be as good if she had had work done. — Joanna Lumley

It's incredibly moving to hear some of our greatest actors performing Shakespeare. — Judi Dench

Since Michael died I think I've worked constantly. Friends and colleagues are very sustaining. They're the people who get you through it ... It's no good to be on your own. — Judi Dench

When you're a young English person who wants to be an actress and you have dreams, you dream of being Vanessa Redgrave or Judi Dench. — Janet McTeer

We know about the issue of children being sold and adopted and taken away but what is so extraordinary is how these two people come through something like - how both of them do, in actual fact. I think that she's one of the most considerable people I've ever met, Philomena. — Judi Dench

I work out the other bits, too, but I need to know what I look like, very early on. And then it's like a template; I'll fill that person out. If I get that out of the way, then I'm all right. — Judi Dench

I worked with Judi Dench in Cranford. She's not at all starry, she's very easy and funny to be around, but I had such an enormous respect and regard for her before I met her that I was quite starstruck. — Martin Shaw

I'm always fearful. ... Fear generates in you a huge energy. You can use it. When I feel that mounting fear, I think, 'Oh, yes, there it is!' It's like petrol. — Judi Dench

I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me. — Judi Dench

There are very few things that surprise me. — Judi Dench

Anything that we can do to improve the lives of elderly people is welcome so far as I am concerned. — Judi Dench

I am not interested in being a Barbie doll and turning myself into a sausage for the next 20 years. I want to follow actresses like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench who have lines on their faces and aren't afraid of playing their age. — Kim Cattrall

It was good to learn so early. They're not going to be kind to you. You have to do it and get on, and then gulp down and get better. — Judi Dench

And then it was working with Bob Hoskins, who I had never worked with before - except radio. It was like being given a wonderful meal - full of the things you love most. — Judi Dench