Dench recalls Robin Williams' gentle support during husband's cancer fight

Judi Dench says Robin Williams offered quiet support while her husband Michael Williams fought lung cancer, a memory she shares in her forthcoming memoir “Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?”.

Past Encounter

Dench was staying at Billy Connolly’s Scottish home with Michael nearly three decades ago when a bonfire ceilidh took place in the woods. Michael, already very ill, began to flag as they walked up a steep hill. Robin Williams appeared beside them and said he would ride shotgun even after Michael insisted he could manage. Dench remembers the moment as a display of Williams’ sensitivity and understanding.

Professional Ties

The two actors had worked together in the 1996 film “Hamlet”. Williams later presented Dench with her 1999 Oscar for best supporting actress for “Shakespeare in Love”. Williams died in 2014 at 63. Michael Williams passed away on Jan. 11 2001 at age 65; the couple had married in 1971.

Cats Reflection

In the same memoir Dench opens up about acting in the 2019 “Cats” film, which was panned by critics and performed poorly at the box office despite a star‑studded cast that included James Corden, Idris Elba and Taylor Swift. She says she never saw the final cut but feels the project wasted goodwill and talent.

Context

The anecdote shows how personal kindness can stand out amid illness, while the Cats episode highlights how even big names cannot guarantee a film’s success.