James Bond legend was told she wouldn’t be a film star because her face was ‘wrong’

Bond almost missed out on one of his most beloved allies (Picture: Shutterstock) An iconic star of the James Bond franchise has revealed how she was once told that she’d never make it as a film star – because her face was ‘wrong.’ Not to be discouraged, the young actress went on to become one of cinema’s most recognisable – and beloved – faces. This includes her work as M in the James Bond series, defying convention to reappear in the role even after 007 had been recast. Appearing opposite Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench has been in more Bond films than most Bonds. Her work as M constitutes only a fragment of a huge career which won her an Academy Award for 1999’s Shakespeare In Love. But according to Dame Judi, now 91, it almost never came to pass. Dame Judi has reflected on a career in stage and screen (Picture: Shutterstock) A young Dame Judi was told that she had ‘every single thing wrong’ with her face (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) In an interview with The Times, Dame Judi reflected on her early days as a theatre performer with The Vic. ‘Very few people aspired to work in cinema. I certainly never expected to,’ she said. ‘Then one day I was invited to meet a big Hollywood producer at his office near Hyde Park. I must’ve been about 23. ‘He stared at me for a long time, then said: “Very nice to meet you, but you’ll never make a movie because you have every single thing wrong with your face.”’ ‘I suppose that was the era when you had to be quite a looker,’ Dame Judi added, noting that he had been ‘very polite about it.’ She continued: ‘With amazing presence I said, “Thank you very much for your time,” stood up, put the chair back against the wall and, as I left, I thought: “What a relief. I can throw all my energies into becoming a theatre actor.”‘ Dame Judi took home an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love (Picture: Universal/Shutterstock) Nevertheless, a career in film and television did beckon, with Dame Judi winning a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for Four in the Morning (1965). Her biggest roles came in the late ’90s, when she was cast as M in Goldeneye, opposite Pierce Brosnan’s Bond. Two years later, she took the lead role in the historical drama Mrs Brown, in which she played a grieving Queen Victoria. In the same year as she won her first Oscar, she returned for Brosnan’s second Bond film – the altogether less-loved Tomorrow Never Dies. It was a role she’d keep coming back to for two more Brosnan outings, and then Daniel Craig’s debut in Casino Royale (2006). Skyfall (2012) saw Dame Judi finally retire from playing M, with the character being fatally wounded during the film’s emotional finale. Dame Judi has stepped back from acting since suffering from severe vision loss (Picture: Shutterstock) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Since then, Dame Judi has continued to keep busy, appearing in the critically acclaimed Philomena (2013), Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and, uh, Cats (2019). Her 2012 diagnosis with severe age-related macular degeneration (near total vision loss) means that she is mostly retired, although she remains one of cinema’s most distinctive voices. When not admitting to shoving rats through an old neighbour’s letterbox, she appears opposite friend (and Cats co-star) Sir Ian McKellen on the TV film Tea With Judi Dench – which she previously shared with Belfast director Kenneth Branagh. Speaking ahead of its Sky Arts premiere in August, Dame Judi said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to be returning for a second film, and even more pleased to be sharing the experience with the wonderful Sir Ian McKellen. ‘The response to the first film was deeply touching, and it’s a great privilege to continue these conversations and capture moments of great friendship.’ Arrow MORE: Saoirse Ronan’s comments about husband Jack Lowden playing James Bond are suspicious Arrow MORE: Casino Royale at 20: How Daniel Craig’s casting left James Bond fans shaken and stirred Arrow MORE: Free 007 First Light DLC adds Aston Martin missions and a New Game+ mode Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.