You’ll Never Believe What Someone Said to Judi Dench Early in Her Career
It’s no secret that internet trolls are a sad reality of today’s modern technology-driven world, spreading their negativity far and wide.
While many of us have likely suffered the wrath of an opinionated internet troll, celebrities are often held to a different standard than the rest of us and therefore tend to endure even more criticism from internet trolls, and in a very public way.
But alas, it turns out that the harsh criticism of celebrities began long before the days of social media and the internet as Dame Judi Dench, 83, recently reminded us.
Harsh Words for Judi
Earlier this week, at the Zurich Film Festival, Dench was discussing her greatest accomplishment when she revealed that if she had listened to the words of one harsh critic in her early years of acting, she may never have had such a successful career.
And what a successful career it has been (and continues to be)!
After working in the entertainment industry for over six decades, Dench has appeared in countless films such as Hamlet, Chocolat, James Bond, Pride and Prejudice, and Shakespeare in Love, to name a few.
She has also racked up quite a collection of awards and accolades with multiple Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards, an Oscar, and a variety of notable honors.
Needless to say, Judi Dench has worked hard to become one of the most revered, well-respected, and sought-after actresses of all time.
Which is why it’s hard to believe that early on in her career, Dench was told that she would never succeed at making any films at all.
While asked about her greatest accomplishment, Dench had this to say, “I think making a film at all because I was told very, very early on that I would never make any films. They said, ‘You have everything wrong with your face’.”
Rather than letting that comment from many years ago hold her back or keep her from pursuing her dreams, Dench chose to believe in herself and value her worth – and clearly, it paid off.
After delivering so many memorable performances and building such an illustrious career for herself, Dench has certainly managed to prove that critic wrong.
And, being the gracious woman that she is, rather than rubbing it in that critic’s face or being snarky, Dench only had this to say to that individual, “So, I would quite like to say to that person, who alas now is dead, but I’d quite like to say – well, actually I did make them in the end. Lucky.”
Furthermore, perhaps the greatest revenge for the harsh criticism she received in her early years can be seen in the fact that Dench wasn’t just attending the Zurich Film Festival as a guest, she was there as an honoree, receiving an icon award.
Zurich Film Festival co-founders Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri explained the honor being given to Dench, saying, “With an Academy Award and six further Academy Award nominations to her name, along with numerous other awards, Judi is a true icon. She has enjoyed an extraordinary acting career across film, television and on stage. We are thrilled to welcome her to Zurich and to screen her latest film, Red Joan.”
In addition to Dench’s latest film, Red Joan, she has been staying busy with numerous other projects such as Artemis Fowl and Six Minutes to Midnight, both set to be released in the next year or so.
With the incredible talent that Dench brings to the stage and screen, we are so grateful that she chose to ignore the harsh criticism she received in her early years and follow her dreams, allowing all of us to enjoy her immeasurable talent.
Are you a fan of Judi Dench? What do you think about the criticism she received early-on in her career? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
