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Judi Dench retires from acting due to vision loss

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2026-10-23 04:53 UTC → 2026-10-24 13:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Dame Judi Dench has announced her retirement from acting, stating that the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has made it impossible for her to continue her professional career. The 91-year-old Oscar-winning actress confirmed in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that she can no longer perform on stage, act in films, or read. Diagnosed with the incurable condition in 2012, Dench has faced increasing challenges with her central vision. While she previously attempted to adapt by using a photographic memory to learn scripts with assistance from friends, the deterioration has reached a critical point. She noted that the sight loss makes it difficult to recognize faces, occasionally leading her to mistake strangers for acquaintances. She also mentioned the loss of ability to see certain colors, such as bluebells. Despite these limitations, Dench expressed a desire to adapt to her new reality rather than dwelling on the challenges of aging. She emphasized the importance of adjustment, stating, “You’ve got to adjust to all that and make allowances for it and just get on.” She further noted that the vision loss makes navigating public events, such as red carpets, difficult, but maintained a resilient outlook, stating, “You simply cannot let this get you down.” This announcement follows her long career, which includes acclaimed roles in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and the James Bond franchise as ‘M’. The news coincides with the release of her memoir, ‘Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?’, co-authored with director Brendan O’Hea.

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