Multi award winning British actress, Dame Judi Dench, has added another Guinness World Records title to her name after officially becoming the oldest Vogue cover model in history, following the publication of British Vogue’s June 2020 issue.
At the age of 85 years, 150 days (as of 7 May 2020), Dame Judi has surpassed the record formerly held by Jane Fonda, who appeared on the cover of British Vogue’s September 2019 edition, at the age of 81.
The photoshoot took place in February, before social distancing measures were enforced in the UK, and Judi was later interviewed for the Vogue feature whilst at home.
With an acting career spanning six decades, Dame Judi was a record-breaking powerhouse far before her Vogue cover debut.
She holds Guinness World Records titles for the most Laurence Olivier Award nominations by an individual with nine, across the categories for Best Actress (6), Best Supporting Role (1), Best Supporting Actress (1) and Best Actress in a Musical (1).
She also holds the records for the most Laurence Olivier awards won by an individual and the most Laurence Olivier Awards won by an actress, accumulating an impressive eight awards between 1977 and 2016.
Seven of these were competitive and one was the honorary Special Olivier Award which Dame Judi received in 2004. The Special Olivier Award is awarded in recognition of significant achievements in British theatre.
In addition, she also holds the record for the most Laurence Olivier awards won for Best Actress, having won the accolade six times. This doesn't include her win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as Paulina in The Winter's Tale (2016).
Her awards are as follows:
- Best Actress in a Revival - Lady Macbeth (Macbeth, 1977)
- Best Actress in a Revival - Juno Boyle (Juno & the Paycock, 1980)
- Best Actress in a New Play - Barbara Jackson (Pack of Lies, 1983)
- Best Actress - Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra, 1987)
- Best Actress - Christine Foskett (Absolute Hell, 1996)
- Best Actress in a Musical - Desirée Armfeldt (A Little Night Music, 1996)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Paulina (The Winter's Tale, 2016)
- Special Olivier Award (2004)
Although a certificate presentation was not able to take place in person, Guinness World Records was able to honour Dame Judi remotely as she self-isolates at her home.
“We have always had a copy of the book in our house and I’m delighted and honoured to be included. Thank you so much to everybody concerned, HOORAY!” - Dame Judi Dench
“I'm delighted to acknowledge Dame Judi in our book for her appearance on the cover of Vogue and also for her success at the Oliviers," Guinness World Records' Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday said.
"It might be cliche but age really is just a number, and seeing Judi on the front of this iconic magazine will be a refreshing tonic for a generation of people who may otherwise feel forgotten or neglected.
"Her continuing contribution to the arts - and most recently to social media and TikTok! - is also inspiring, further cementing Dame Judi's position as a 'national treasure', a term I'm sure she'll hate!"
Her achievements will be recognised in the latest edition of the Guinness World Records book, Guinness World Records 2021, out later this year.
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