Judi Dench’s Blunt Response to Over-the-Top Praise
Judi Dench, despite being showered with admiration from fellow stars, has never been one to accept flattery quietly—famously brushing off Ian McKellen’s glowing words with her trademark wit.
In an industry where most actors lap up every bit of applause, Judi Dench stands out for her no-nonsense attitude towards compliments. While many in her field would be chuffed to bits with the kind of recognition she’s received, Dench has always been quick to knock back any overblown admiration, even from her closest mates.
Her shelf is packed with awards, but she’s never been one to bask in the limelight. Instead, she’s known for her sharp tongue and a cheeky glint in her eye, whether she’s having a laugh with colleagues or holding her ground on set. Dench takes her craft seriously, but she’s never let the fuss go to her head.
Legend Status and Reluctant Reverence
Given her long run in the business, it’s no surprise Dench has become a bit of a legend, both on stage and on screen. She’s small in stature but huge in reputation, and it’s almost expected that people in the industry speak about her in hushed tones. She’s so well-regarded that when she lets slip a swear word in a film, punters have actually complained—clearly not keen on hearing that sort of language from her. You have to wonder what they’d make of her accidentally asking a stranger if they fancied a shag.
Kate Winslet, another big name and a top performer in her own right, once said she’d be happy to play a tea lady in the background just for the chance to work with Dench. Ian McKellen, who’s no stranger to Shakespeare himself, once remarked,
“one of the great joys of being alive in England in the 21st century is being around when Judi Dench is.”
He reckoned that no matter the role, audiences are instantly drawn to her.
Villainous Roles and Honest Opinions
Dench, though, isn’t one to let all that praise go unchecked. She relished playing a villain in ‘Notes on a Scandal’, calling the experience “absolute bliss” and saying she’d jump at the chance to play the baddie again. But, as she’s pointed out, those sorts of roles haven’t exactly been flooding in since.
When asked what she thought of McKellen’s glowing comments, Dench didn’t mince words. She told The Guardian,
“Crap! Crap. He’s talking through a hole in his arse.”
That’s Dench for you—never afraid to call it as she sees it, even if it means taking the mickey out of her mates.
Unfiltered and Unfazed
So, if you’re thinking of joining the chorus of those who reckon Dench is universally adored, be warned: she’s likely to give you a serve. For Dench, flattery isn’t something to be taken too seriously, and she’s more than happy to let everyone know it.