Dame Judi Dench choked up on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival today after being asked about her late friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.
Dench, who shared personal anecdotes during her presentation at the literature festival, became emotional after interviewer Brendan O’Hea mentioned her dear friends who passed away last month.
“I know I probably shouldn’t mention this, I know the last week has been rough for you because you lost your great friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt,” he asked.
He also asked her what she meant when she once compared pain to gasoline when talking about her husband, Michael Williams, who died of lung cancer in 2001.
“I guess the energy that creates pain…” he said, before bursting into tears.
Dame Judi Dench at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in Gloucestershire on Saturday 5 October 2024. The actress cried on stage today when asked about her late friend Maggie Smith.
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith ‘Acting for Others’ arrivals, Presidential Awards, London, UK – May 12, 2017. The two actresses met in the 1950s backstage at London’s Old Vic theater and had been inseparable since then
Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith at the ‘Ladies in Lavender’ royal film presentation at the Odeon Leicester Square. The two actresses have appeared together in several films and plays.
It comes as her close friend, actress Dame Maggie Smith, died last week aged 89.
His death caused great grief among other actors and Harry Potter fans around the world, with Huge Bonneville leading tributes to a “true legend of his generation”.
The beloved star, known for her roles in the Harry Potter films and her incredible 70-year acting career, had been friends with Dench since the 1950s.
Their close friendship began when they were both young actresses after meeting backstage at London’s Old Vic theatre.
Speaking at a tribute event for Dench in 2002, Smith said: “What I remember most about that time is the beginning of a friendship, and I remember laughter more than anything in the world.”
‘Judi is the best friend. “She has been very supportive and very loyal.”
The couple had appeared together on stage and screen several times, including the 1985 film. A room with a view and the 2011 comedy The best exotic hotel in Marigold.
Cher with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in 1999
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith have appeared together on stage and screen several times.
Maggie Smith and Judi Dench photographed together in 2004
Speaking of Smith and Dench’s friendship, Ol Parker – who wrote Best Exotic Marigold HotelHe said: ‘Maggie and Judi were swimming in their Victorian bathing suits. And every day we all laughed and laughed and laughed.’
Meanwhile, actress Barbara Leigh-Hunt and Dench’s close friend also died last month at the age of 88.
tThe English star, known for playing the unfortunate Brenda in Alfred Hitchcock’s epic film Frenzy. She was a close friend of Dench and was even godmother to her daughter Finty Williams.
He had appeared alongside Dencg ub in the 1992 BBC sitcom ‘As Time Goes By’.
While Dench didn’t share any words about Smith or Leigh-Hunt at the festival, he told the audience that the trees he plants at his Surrey home were in memory of his friends who have passed away.