Background: Dench was born in Heworth, York, England, where she attended the Mount School, during which time she became a Quaker. She married fellow actor Michael Williams in 1971 and gave birth to their son, Finty Williams, in 1972. Her husband passed away in 2001 from lung cancer.

Filmography: Dench spent most of her career as a stage actress, appearing also in several UK television productions. She didn't achieve international success until her sixties, when she assumed the role of M in the James Bond films, beginning with "GoldenEye" opposite Pierce Brosnan. That was followed by a film career that has yielded six Oscar nominations and one win (for "Shakespeare in Love" in 1999). She is best known for her roles in period films and literary adaptations, including "Tea with Mussolini" (1999), "Chocolat" (2000), "The Importance of Bein Earnest" (2002), "Ladies in Lavendar" (2004), "Pride & Prejudice" (2005), and "Jane Eyre" (2011). She starred in the British series "As Time Goes By" from 1992 until 2005 and also appeared in the "Masterpiece Theater" miniseries "Cranford" and its sequel "Return to Cranford." She also starred in "My Week with Marilyn," "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," and "J. Edgar."

Academy Awards: Win - Best Supporting Actress ("Shakespeare in Love," 1998)

Best Actress Nominations
"Notes on a Scandal" (2006); lost to Helen Mirren ("The Queen")
"Mrs. Henderson Presents" (2005); lost to Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line")
"Iris" (2001); lost to Halle Berry ("Monster's Ball")
"Mrs. Brown" (1997); lost to Helen Hunt ("As Good as it Gets")

Best Supporting Actress Nomination
"Chocolat" (2001); lost to Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock")

Emmy Awards:

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actress Nominations
"Return to Cranford" (2010); lost to Claire Danes ("Temple Grandin")
"Cranford" (2008); lost to Laura Linney ("John Adams")
"The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" (2001); lost to Judy Davis ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows")

Tony Awards: Win - Best Actress in a Play ("Amy's View," 1999)

Golden Globes: Wins - Best Film Drama Actress ("Mrs. Brown," 1998); Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actress ("The Last of the Blonde Bombshells," 2001)

Best Film Drama Actress Nominations
"Notes on a Scandal" (2007); lost to Helen Mirren ("The Queen")
"Iris" (2002); lost to Sissy Spacek ("In the Bedroom")

Best Film Comedy/Musical Actress Nominations
"Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2013); lost to Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook")
"Mrs. Henderson Presents" (2006); lost to Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line"

Best Film Supporting Actress Nomination
"Chocolat" (2001); lost to Kate Hudson ("Almost Famous")
"Shakespeare in Love" (1999); lost to Lynn Redgrave ("Gods and Monsters")

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actress Nominations
"Return to Cranford" (2011); lost to Claire Danes ("Temple Grandin")
"Cranford" (2009); lost to Laura Linney ("John Adams")

SAG Awards: Wins - Best Film Ensemble ("Shakespeare in Love," 1999); Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actress ("The Last of the Blond Bombshells," 2001)

Best Film Ensemble Nominations
"Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2013); lost to "Argo"
"Nine" (2010); lost to "Inglourious Basterds"
"Chocolat" (2001); lost to "Traffic"

Best Film Actress Nominations
"Notes on a Scandal" (2007); lost to Helen Mirren ("The Queen")
"Mrs. Henderson Presents" (2006); lost to Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line")
"Iris" (2002); lost to Halle Berry ("Monster's Ball")
"Mrs. Brown" (1998); lost to Helen Hunt ("As Good As It Gets")

Best Film Supporting Actress Nominations
"The Shipping News" (2002); lost to Helen Mirren ("Gosford Park")
"Shakespeare in Love" (1999); lost to Kathy Bates ("Primary Colors")