London, Dec 17 (IANS) Dame Judi Dench, the actress who has played James Bond's boss in the hit film franchise, has been voted the greatest stage star in a poll.
The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in "Shakespeare In Love", received the honour in a poll by acting publication The Stage, reports dailystar.co.uk.
"I'm completely at a loss for words but it's one hell of a thing to live up to," said Dench, after she heard that she had succeeded theatre legends Laurence Olivier and Sir Ian McKellen in the list.
Dench has worked in theatre since the 1950s and has received seven of the prestigious Olivier Awards, named after Laurence Olivier.