Judi Dench Recalls Robin Williams' Quiet Help During Her Husband's Final Illness
The actor offered to assist Dench and her husband on a steep hill in Scotland, a gesture she describes as gently supportive in her new memoir.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
Judi Dench has shared new details about her friendship with the late Robin Williams, describing a moment of quiet support during a difficult period in her life. In her forthcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?, Dench recalls a specific evening from nearly three decades ago that stayed with her for years.
The memory dates back to a time when Dench was staying at the Scottish home of actor Billy Connolly. Her husband, Michael Williams, was battling lung cancer and visibly struggling with his health. The couple was attending a large gathering in the woods that featured a ceilidh and a bonfire.
As the event wound down, Dench and her husband began the walk home up a very steep hill. Dench noted that she could see Michael flagging from the illness. Williams appeared beside them and offered a hand to help them ascend the incline. Michael declined, stating that he could manage the climb himself.
Williams responded to the refusal by saying he would ride shotgun anyway. Dench writes that she has often thought about this exchange, specifically noting the actor's sensitivity and understanding. She describes his approach as gently supportive, appreciating that he offered his presence without imposing himself on the couple.
The two actors had a professional history that spanned several years before this personal connection deepened. They worked together on the 1996 production of Hamlet. Later, in 1999, Williams presented Dench with her Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. Williams died in 2014 at the age of 63.
Dench’s husband, Michael Williams, died on January 11, 2001, at the age of 65. The couple had been married since 1971. Their partnership endured through his long battle with lung cancer, a struggle that Dench now details in her published work.
The memoir, which hits shelves on Tuesday, also includes Dench’s first public reflection on her role in the 2019 film Cats. Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, the movie featured a cast that included James Corden, Idris Elba, and Taylor Swift alongside Dench. The film was widely criticized by reviewers and underperformed at the box office. Dench wrote that she understands the hostile critical reception and noted that she never saw the final cut, so she could not judge the finished product. She concluded that nobody sets out to give a poor performance or make a bad film, but rather they do their best and hope people will join the party.
