Judi Dench’s days of performing on stage and screen may be coming to an end. The 91-year-old Oscar-winning actress has revealed that her worsening eyesight has affected her ability to continue performing.
The Oscar winner struggles to recognize faces and see clearly as her vision worsens
In an interview with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the actress shared, “I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play anymore. I can’t do a film anymore. I can’t read anymore.” Dench learned she had age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012. Since then, the condition has affected her eyesight, leaving her struggling to recognize faces.
When asked about ageing, Dench dismissed the idea, calling it “rubbish.” She added that she had “nothing to say for it at all” other than advising people not to think about it too much and to “just keep on trying.” Dench said her worsening eyesight had changed things considerably. “If you can’t see as well, which I can’t, it’s a whole other ballgame,” she explained. The actress said she had “to put up with it” despite the challenges. Her condition has also affected her ability to work.
Dench admitted that she could no longer see people’s faces clearly. “I can’t see your face at all,” she told the interviewer. She added that she sometimes approaches the wrong people and greets them by mistake. The actress also said that “the radio has always been important” to her as she can no longer use her eyes to read or perform.
Over her seven-decade career, Dench has earned a reputation as one of Britain’s most respected actresses. Her work spans the stage, television, and the big screen. In 1999, Dench won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. Despite her brief appearance, her performance earned her the prestigious award. Dench gained international recognition for her role as M, the head of MI6, in the James Bond franchise.
