The Short Version
Dame Judi Dench is well-documented across multiple authoritative sources — including the BFI, Biography.com, Variety, and the Praemium Imperiale — as a British actress celebrated for versatile performances and a significant impact on cinema. The objection that some sources call her "English" rather than "British" is a non-issue, as England is part of Britain. While recent health issues have led to partial retirement, this does not diminish her extensively documented legacy.