The Esteemed Actress Reveals Memory Struggles Yet Holds Onto Shakespeare Lines.
The legendary actress Judi Dench has spoken candidly about the impact of aging on her eyesight and memory, revealing she often struggles to recall immediate plans – yet can easily recall extensive passages of the Bard's work.
"I can't remember what I'm doing tomorrow, I promise you," she told the Radio Times.
Her assistants confirmed that this kind of help are at times required. Dench added that her degenerative eye condition currently causes faces to appear "in a fog" even when up close.
A Condition That 'Crushes'
"It's a crusher," Dench noted, explaining that it means she can no longer watching television. "I long to see Clive Myrie presenting Mastermind," she continued, "however I can at least hear the questions."
The actress, celebrating 91 this week, is fronting a new documentary about her longstanding relationship with Shakespeare's works. She will also be seen being interviewed by Kenneth Branagh in a separate show airing over the Christmas holidays.
On Friends and Exoneration
Dench also mentioned staying in contact with actor Kevin Spacey, who was acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2023. "Kevin was cleared," Dench affirmed, "and I hear from Kevin, we text."
Earlier this year, Dench said she needs full-time assistance in public to avoid tripping due to her vision problems. She first revealed age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a progressive disease that is the primary reason of vision loss in the UK.
Coping with New Realities
She has credited the condition with her de facto retirement from acting. "I can't see on a film set any more," she said in 2023, and continued: "Reading is also impossible. But you just deal with it."
"It's challenging if I have any length of a part. I haven't yet found a way. Because I have many companions who will help me learn the script."
Her last film appearance was a small role in the 2022 Christmas movie Spirited; prior to that she had a larger role in Allelujah. The same year also earned her her eighth Oscar nomination for Belfast.
A Continued Public Presence
She continues to appear often at events, nevertheless, including at fundraisers like one last month with Ian McKellen. In May, she was sculpted live to raise funds. Dench said she would not be able to see the final artwork, but would feel it "if they let me."
