Judi Dench reveals how she wants to die as she pushes back on retirement talk
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Dame Judi Dench has never been one to hold back her thoughts, and the legendary actress is making that clear once again. At 91, the 'Shakespeare in Love' star is opening up about aging, her future and the things she still hopes to experience.
While many might expect her to slow down at this stage of life, Dench has a very different outlook. Her latest candid revelation also offers a glimpse into her lifelong love of acting, as she pushes back on talk of retirement.
Judi Dench reveals how she wants to die
In a recent interview with The Times, Dench shared that she would like to die in a theater dressing room after a performance, much like actor Newton Blick. Her answer reflects just how deeply the stage remains a part of her life.
“I want to be like Newton Blick, who died in his dressing room after a performance,” the 'James Bond' actress said. Dench also made it clear that she has no plans to stop embracing life and trying new things. “I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they're 100,” she added.
The actress also spoke about being called a “national treasure,” a label she does not particularly enjoy. “Loathe it,” Dench said. “Makes me sound like a dusty old relic that's been stuffed away in the back of the cupboard, along with some dinosaur fossils and a broken Roman shield.”
She also made it clear that she does not want people asking when she will retire, saying she wants to get rid of words like “retire,” “vintage” and “old.”
Judi Dench discusses acting despite vision challenges
“I'm quite good at acting as if I can see,” she explained. “But then people think I'm cutting them dead when I don't smile or recognize them.” Despite these challenges, Dench has fond memories of playing M in eight 'James Bond' films over 20 years.
“I loved playing M because it was great to be able to tell all those men where to get off; put them in their place,” she said. She also dismissed reports that she cried after learning her character would be replaced. “Of course I didn't cry,” she exclaimed.
“Why on earth would I cry after 20 glorious years and eight Bond films? Which, by the way, is one more than Roger Moore, the longest-running 007 to date.”
