Oscar-winner Judi Dench was told she had 'wrong face' for film

With big screen roles such as Queen Elizabeth I and James Bond’s mentor M, the actor's career spans 60 years

ZURICH: Veteran Hollywood actor Judi Dench says her biggest achievement was to star in a movie. The 83-year-old actor who has won an Oscar, several BAFTAs, Golden Globes and various other theatre awards was once told that she had the “wrong” face for films.

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Her statement comes at the green carpet held at the Zurich Film Festival on Wednesday. With big screen roles such as Queen Elizabeth I and James Bond’s mentor M, Dench's career spans 60 years.

When asked what her biggest achievement has been, the British actor said, “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’. So, I would quite like to say to that person - who alas now is dead - that I did make them in the end. Lucky.”

PHOTO: REUTERS

Dench, who made her professional stage debut as Ophelia in 1957's Hamlet, stated there were more opportunities for women in the film industry now than there has ever been. “I think it’s going that way and that’s good. So, long may it last. There are more swapping roles now in the theater certainly and I think that’s good, gives us a fair share.”

The actor has been promoting her latest film Red Joan about a British scientist who spies for the Soviet Union. She was also honoured with the Golden Icon award at the festival, adding to her long list of stage and screen honours.

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“Golden Icon – that doesn’t happen very often in your life does it? And its such a great title,” she said. “I’m going to boast a lot about it.”

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