Reginald Arthur Dench: Who was Judi Dench’s father?

Reginald Arthur Dench is the father of Judi Dench. Reginald Arthur Dench’s daughter is an English actress. She is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest actors. She gained that reputation for her versatile work in various films and television programmes encompassing several genres, as well as for her numerous roles on the stage. Dench has garnered various accolades throughout her career including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Television Awards, six British Academy Film Awards, and seven Olivier Awards.

Reginald Arthur Dench: Bio Summary

Who is Judi Dench’s father?

Reginald Arthur Dench was born on October 25, 1987, in Dorset, United Kingdom. He was the son of  Bessie Oak and  NN Dench. Though he was born in Dorset, England, he later moved to Dublin, where he was brought up. He was the brother of William George Dench; Mabel Elsie Dench; and Kathleen Doris Dench.

Judi Dench’s father was a doctor and fought on the Western Front in World War I. He served in the Leinster Regiment during the First World War but barely spoke about the horrific scenes he witnessed during fighting in France per The Mirror. Reginald Arthur Dench injured his knee during his training before he even went to war and spent time in hospital after an operation.

The actress’ parents met while studying at Wesley College, Dublin. Reginald Arthur Dench married Eleanor Olive Jones on 22 April 1924, in Donnybrook, County Dublin, Ireland. The two love birds tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony in the presence of their friends, families, and loved ones. Years later they became parents to three children-   Jeffery Dench, Judi Dench, and Peter Dench.

ALSO, READ; Eleanora Olive Jones: Who is Judi Dench’s mother?

As Well as being a physician, Reginald was also the GP for the York Theatre Royal group and his wife was its wardrobe mistress. Through her parents, Dench had regular contact with the theatre. Actors often stayed in the Dench household.

According to the Sun, after digging into her family’s heritage, the actress discovered that she has links to both Danish and Swedish royal families. “I had no idea about any of that,” she admitted while being shocked. “Or even that we had any Danish connections, but this I have found out is my mother’s family and now of course I want to explore it further. And now I believe there are Swedish connections too, this may well prompt a visit there as well!”

Judi Dench also found out that her maternal ancestor was a lady in waiting in the Danish royal family, as well as having links to William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Judi, whose first experience of the theatre was at the age of seven watching her eldest brother Peter in Macbeth, made her professional debut in 1957 playing Othelia in Hamlet at the Old Vic.

ALSO, READ; Finty Williams: Who Is Judi Dench And Michael Williams’ Daughter?

What happened to Reginald Arthur Dench?

Judi Dench’s father passed away on 1 December 1964, in York, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, at the age of 67, and was buried in Holy Trinity King’s Square, York, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. The cause of his death has not been revealed by the family.

ALSO, READ; Peter Dench: What happened to Judi Dench’s brother?

The Notes on a Scandal actress married actor Michael Williams in 1971; they remained together until his death from lung cancer in 2001. Their only child, daughter Finty Williams, was born in 1972 and became an actress. Through her daughter, Dench has a grandson who was born in 1997.