Judi Dench Tears Up Addressing ‘Grief’ Over Friend Maggie Smith’s Death

Mar. 15, 2025

Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in London in 2017.Photo:David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Judi Denchis grieving her fellow dame.

In response to a question about theSept. 27 deathof longtime friendMaggie Smith, the British dame, 89, reportedly became overcome with emotion at a Cheltenham Literature Festival event on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in 2004.Justin Goff\UK Press via Getty

Justin Goff\UK Press via Getty

Dench starred with the late Oscar winner in 1985 filmA Room with a View, remaining close friends through their next collaborations, 1999’sTea with Mussolini, 2004’sLadies in Lavender, 2011’sThe Best Exotic Marigold Hoteland its 2015sequel.

They also appeared onstage together — notably, in Sir David Hare’s playThe Breath of Lifeon London’s West End from 2002 to 2003.

The 2018 documentaryNothing Like a Dame(released in the U.S. asTea with the Dames) offered a glimpse of their longtime friendship, along with fellow British Dames Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright.

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Before the documentary was released,one sceneof the three talking already had people in stitches, thanks to Smith’s frankness. “We’re going to work forever if we’re asked,” Denchbegan in the clip.

“But you’re always asked first, if I may say so,” Smith quickly replied, with Dench laughing. “I’m turning on you. It’s all coming out now!”

Dench had previously said in a 2023interview withThe Timesthat grieving for her felt “unbelievably cathartic. You fortify yourself and use what you are going through as energy. Like petrol. It has helped me cope with the pain.”

At the Cheltenham event, theShakespeare in LoveOscar winner added that she plants trees in a garden at her home in Surrey in memory of deceased friends.

Of a tree meant to evoke her late stage costar Stephen Hanley, she said, “It’s a wonderful white trunk. He was a very, very tall actor, wasn’t he? And he was very pale. The tree is like him.”

source: people.com