She played M in eight James Bond films. Now, Judi Dench says she can no longer act or read. Oscar-winning actress shares health condition

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, who has starred in 8 of the James Bond movie as the iconic character, M, has recently opened up about how due to a health condition she can no longer act on stage or films or even read. As per the actress, she has an eye condition has changed her life, making it difficult for her to read, recognise faces and continue acting. The 91-year-old British star was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012.

Judi Dench says eye condition has stopped her from acting and reading

During her conversation with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dench spoke about how her eyesight has affected her ability to work. The actress said she could no longer perform on stage, take on a play, act in a film or read.

“I can’t be on stage,” she said, explaining that she could no longer do a play or film. She also confirmed that reading had become impossible for her. Dench was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012. The condition affects central vision and has made it increasingly difficult for her to recognise people's faces.


She also described the awkward situations that can arise because of her impaired eyesight. At times, she approaches the wrong person and nearly gives them a hug before realising her mistake.

‘You just deal with it’: Judi Dench on living with vision loss

Dench has spoken about her eyesight challenges before. In 2023, speaking to the Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine, she explained that she could no longer see clearly on a film set or read. However, she added that she had learnt to deal with the situation.

As per reports by the Independent, Dench had to give up driving in 2019 due to her eyesight, ad called it one of the most "traumatic moments" of her life.

From Shakespeare on stage to M in James Bond films

Dench marked her debut in the industry in 1964 with The Third Secret. Before that, she had already started to make her mark on the stage with her acts and extraordinary performances. She has played many Shakespearean characters, liek Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. She gained international recognition as M in GoldenEye, the first movie in the James Bond franchise where she starred as the head of MI6. She made her final cameo in Spectre in 2015.

The exceptional actress has earned numerous awards which includes an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Television Awards, six British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) and seven Olivier Awards.