Dame Judi Dench, one of the most respected and beloved actresses in the world, recently shared an amusing and somewhat odd anecdote about her time working with a fellow actor who would never look her in the eye. The reason behind this unusual behavior turned out to be both quirky and surprisingly sweet.
The Actor and the “Eye-Contact” Dilemma
In an interview, Dame Judi Dench revealed that one actor she worked with early in her career would consistently avoid eye contact with her. This actor, who she did not name, was clearly talented but harbored a peculiar superstition.
The Actor’s Superstition: Avoiding Eye Contact for Good Luck
It turns out that this actor had a deeply ingrained belief in the “curse of the eye”. This superstition suggested that making direct eye contact with someone—especially a senior actor or a revered figure in the industry—could bring bad luck or jinx the performance. To avoid this “curse,” the actor would always look at her in a way that bypassed her gaze, either by looking at the floor, over her shoulder, or simply avoiding meeting her eyes altogether.
At first, Dame Judi was a little confused and thought it might be a case of nervousness or perhaps an issue with her, but she quickly understood it was based on this peculiar superstition the actor had been raised with.
The Fun of the Situation
Dame Judi Dench, ever the professional and full of warmth, found the situation rather endearing and amusing rather than off-putting. In fact, she mentioned that the actor was incredibly talented and had no problem with the actual work—they simply could not bring themselves to look her directly in the eye because of their superstition.
The situation did lead to some awkward moments on set. Dame Judi would sometimes find herself being addressed by this actor while they would look at her chin or over her shoulder. She chuckled at the oddity of it all, but it didn’t stop the pair from forging a productive and successful professional relationship.
A Lesson in Respect and Tradition
Dame Judi’s story highlights an interesting cultural and personal layer to the world of acting, where superstitions, traditions, and rituals can be just as important to an actor as their craft itself. It also underscores how actors, especially those who may be new to the industry, often bring with them personal beliefs and nervous habits that could seem unusual to others, but are nonetheless part of their makeup and performance.
In the end, Dame Judi Dench took this quirky superstition in stride. She appreciated the actor’s talent and effort, despite their strange reluctance to make eye contact, and the two worked harmoniously together.
The Quirkiness of Superstitions in the Theater World
Superstitions in theater are quite common, and many seasoned actors have their own personal rituals or beliefs. For example, the theater world is filled with taboos—like never saying the word “Macbeth” inside a theater (often referred to as “The Scottish Play”), or the idea that whistling backstage can bring bad luck. Dench’s anecdote adds another layer to this world of actorly eccentricities and reminds us that even the most established stars have their own quirks and habits.
Conclusion
Dame Judi Dench’s humorous story about the actor who wouldn’t look her in the eye due to a superstition adds a delightful and humanizing touch to her long and illustrious career. It shows that in the world of acting, not everything is as polished as it may seem, and sometimes the most odd or endearing behaviors can create the most memorable experiences. As with all good stories in the theater, there’s often more than meets the eye—or in this case, perhaps less!
