Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Dame Judi Dench has finally addressed long-standing rumours that she had a falling-out with her late friend and fellow acting legend Maggie Smith. In her newly released memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, the 91-year-old actress dismisses speculation that the pair clashed over dressing-room arrangements while working together in the 2002 theatre production The Breath of Life.
Responding to suggestions that actors sometimes argue over status and dressing-room privileges, Dench firmly replied, "Don't be ridiculous." She explained that she never cared which dressing room she was given, making it clear that the alleged disagreement had been blown out of proportion.
Dench also offered a touching explanation of the differences between their personalities, revealing that Smith preferred sitting quietly in a corner reading, while she enjoyed a lively dressing room filled with conversation and activity. Despite their contrasting habits, the actresses shared a friendship that began in 1958 when they first met at London's Old Vic theatre.
Over the decades, they worked together on several acclaimed productions, including A Room with a View, Tea with Mussolini and Ladies in Lavender. In her memoir, Dench describes Smith as an intelligent, witty and deeply complex woman who could bring enormous laughter to those around her.
Perhaps the most emotional part of Dench's revelation is her reflection on losing someone who remained an important part of her life for more than six decades. Maggie Smith died in September 2024 at the age of 89, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in film, television and theatre.
Dench admits that she still sometimes reaches for the telephone, instinctively wanting to call her old friend before remembering that she is gone. "God, I miss her," she writes, capturing the pain of losing someone whose friendship had lasted a lifetime. Her heartfelt tribute not only puts the feud rumours to rest but also offers fans a beautiful reminder of the enduring bond between two of Britain's most celebrated actresses.
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