Judi Dench, 91, Dismisses Retirement Rumors, Shares Ideal Death

Dame Judi Dench, 91, has firmly rejected retirement rumors, stating she has no intention of stopping her acting career. In a recent interview with The Times, the legendary actress expressed her desire to "die in a theater dressing room after a performance," drawing inspiration from figures like Newton Blick.

Dench voiced her strong dislike for being referred to as a "national treasure," comparing the label to a "dusty old relic" akin to dinosaur fossils and broken Roman shields. She indicated a preference to avoid terms such as "retire," "vintage," and "old."

The Oscar winner acknowledged that aging has its benefits, such as receiving a dressing room closer to the stage. However, she also shared her frustration with persistent questions about retirement, stating, "No, it bloody well isn't" time to put her feet up. She plans to continue working despite a degenerative eye condition, macular degeneration, which affects her vision. Dench manages this by relying on others and sometimes feigning sight, which can lead to misunderstandings when she doesn't recognize people.

While Dench generally prefers stage acting, she reflected on her role as M in the James Bond franchise, appearing in eight films over two decades. She recalled enjoying the authority of the character, stating, "It was great to be able to tell all those men where to get off; put them in their place." She clarified that she did not cry upon learning she would be replaced in the franchise, noting her satisfaction with a 20-year tenure and eight films, exceeding Roger Moore's record.

Dench's memoir, "Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?," is set to be released in November.