Quotes By Judi Dench

I would like to work with Jack Nicholson, before it's too late.

I think you've got to have your feet planted firmly on the ground, especially in this business, and you must not believe things that are said or written about you, because everything gets out of proportion one way or the other.

There are very few things that surprise me.

I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me.

I work out the other bits, too, but I need to know what I look like, very early on. And then it's like a template; I'll fill that person out. If I get that out of the way, then I'm all right.

Work certainly does help fill a void.

It was good to learn so early. They're not going to be kind to you. You have to do it and get on, and then gulp down and get better.

People seem to have this idea that I've always been very ambitious. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In contrast, the control you have in a theatre is very attractive to me.

The difficulty with any sort of esteem is that more is expected of you.

And then it was working with Bob Hoskins, who I had never worked with before - except radio. It was like being given a wonderful meal - full of the things you love most.

The more I do, the more frightened I get. But that is essential. Otherwise why would I go on doing it?

I would hate people to think bossy is all I can do.

Some things you know about, you know what the ingredients are - maybe not all of them. But it's up to you to put in the amount. It's up to the director to nag you until you get it right.

I trained as a designer, so I'm always terribly keen about what I'm going to look like.

I love being part of a company, and telling a story.

In the theatre you can change things ever so slightly; it's an organic thing. Whereas in film you only have that chance on the day, and you have no control over it at all.

I'm very conscious that I'm in the minority in that I love what I do. How big is the number of people who are running to work to do a job that they like? And how lucky to be employed at it - how incredibly lucky.

Since Michael died I think I've worked constantly. Friends and colleagues are very sustaining. They're the people who get you through it... It's no good to be on your own.

Anything that we can do to improve the lives of elderly people is welcome so far as I am concerned.

I've got what my ma had, macular degeneration, which you get when you get old.

Seriously, though, I think I never ceased to be grateful of the fact that I am able to do a job that I really love - I never got over that.

Actually, what I miss are people corpsing on stage.

I wanted to be a set designer when I was young.

I have no control over a film. I don't know what will be left on the cutting floor.

People think you know beforehand when you win an Oscar - I can assure you you don't.

My husband was actually very keen that I would become a Bond girl.

Frankly, I never had any intense desire to go to India. I know that sounds a bit strange, but it just never was someplace I had a burning desire to visit.

I can't read scripts any more because of the trouble with my eyes.

The theater is the thing I love doing most.