Judi Dench’s Blunt Response to Flattery from Fellow Stars
Judi Dench, revered by colleagues like Ian McKellen and Kate Winslet, is famously unimpressed by praise, once dismissing McKellen’s compliments in her own inimitable style.
In a world where most actors seem to thrive on applause and glowing reviews, Judi Dench stands out for her utter refusal to bask in the adulation. While many in her profession would leap at the chance to be showered with compliments, Dench has never been one to indulge in such things, no matter how illustrious the source. Even when the admiration comes from a close friend and fellow titan of the stage, she’s more likely to brush it off than accept it graciously.
Her shelves are crowded with awards, each one a testament to her status as one of the finest performers of her generation. Yet, she’s always found the whole business of being idolised rather uncomfortable. It fits her reputation, really—she’s never been one to mince words or play the shrinking violet. Despite the seriousness with which she approaches her craft, there’s always been a glint of mischief about her, whether she’s keeping her colleagues on their toes or standing her ground in the face of fawning admiration.
Unlikely to Play Along
Given her age, stature, and the affection she inspires, it was perhaps inevitable that Dench would be placed on a pedestal by both the public and her peers. Her career, stretching over decades, has seen her become something of a national treasure, spoken about in reverent tones by those inside and outside the industry. There’s even evidence to suggest that audiences are so unaccustomed to hearing her use strong language on screen that complaints have been made when she does. One can only imagine the reaction if they’d overheard her accidentally propositioning a stranger in the street.
Kate Winslet, herself no stranger to critical acclaim, once shared the screen with Dench in ‘Iris’ and later remarked she’d be happy to take on any role, however minor, just for the chance to work alongside her. Ian McKellen, another stalwart of stage and screen, once observed,
“one of the great joys of being alive in England in the 21st century is being around when Judi Dench is.”
He went on to say that, regardless of the part she’s playing, audiences are instantly captivated by her presence.
Not Having Any of It
Dench, however, has never been one to let such praise go unchallenged. She relished the opportunity to play a more sinister role in ‘Notes on a Scandal’, describing the experience as “absolute bliss” and expressing a desire to take on more villainous parts. Yet, such offers have been few and far between, perhaps because she’s so firmly associated with more sympathetic characters.
When asked about McKellen’s effusive comments, Dench was characteristically forthright.
“Crap!” she informed The Guardian. “Crap. He’s talking through a hole in his arse.”
That, it seems, is her final word on the matter. Anyone tempted to declare her universally adored should be prepared for a similarly blunt retort.