kids encyclopedia robot

Tippi Hedren facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tippi Hedren
Tippi Hedren in 1964.jpg
Hedren in 1964
Born
Nathalie Kay Hedren

(1930-01-19) January 19, 1930 (age 95)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • model
  • animal rights activist
Years active 1950–2018
Spouse(s)
  • Peter Griffith
    (m. 1952; div. 1960)
  • Noel Marshall
    (m. 1964; div. 1982)
  • Luis Barrenechea
    (m. 1985; div. 1992)
Children Melanie Griffith
Relatives Dakota Johnson (granddaughter)
Signature
Tippi Hedren signature.svg

Nathalie Kay "Tippi" Hedren (born January 19, 1930) is an American actress who is now retired. She started her career as a fashion model. Her pictures appeared on the covers of popular magazines like Life and Glamour.

In 1961, famous director Alfred Hitchcock saw her in a TV commercial. He asked her to become an actress. Tippi Hedren became very well-known for her roles in two of his movies: the exciting thriller The Birds (1963) and the drama Marnie (1964). For The Birds, she won a Golden Globe Award for being a great new actress.

She acted in over 80 films and TV shows. Some of these include Charlie Chaplin's last movie A Countess from Hong Kong (1967) and the comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004). Tippi Hedren has received many awards for her acting. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tippi Hedren is also very dedicated to helping animals. In 1969, she was filming in Africa and learned about the struggles of African lions. To help raise awareness, she spent over ten years making the movie Roar (1981). In 1983, she started her own group called the Roar Foundation. This group supports the Shambala Preserve, which is an 80-acre (32 ha) home for wild animals. There, she continues to care for and protect lions and tigers. Tippi Hedren has also helped with relief efforts around the world after natural disasters and wars. She also played a big part in helping Vietnamese-American people start nail salons in the United States.

Early Life and Beginnings

Nathalie Kay Hedren was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, on January 19, 1930. Her parents were Bernard Carl and Dorothea Henrietta Hedren. Her father gave her the nickname "Tippi." When she was four years old, her family moved to Minneapolis. She has an older sister named Patricia. As a teenager, Tippi took part in department store fashion shows. Her parents later moved to California while she was still in high school.

Career Highlights

Modeling Career (1950–1960)

When Tippi turned 20, she moved to New York City. She joined a famous modeling agency called Eileen Ford Agency. She had a very successful career as a model. Her photos were on the covers of many popular magazines.

In 1961, Tippi Hedren divorced her husband, Peter Griffith. She moved back to California with her daughter, Melanie. She thought her modeling career would continue easily, but it was harder than she expected.

Becoming an Actress with Alfred Hitchcock (1961–1966)

How Tippi Was Discovered (1961)

On October 13, 1961, Tippi Hedren received a call from an agent. A movie producer wanted to work with her. This producer was Alfred Hitchcock. He had seen her in a TV commercial for a diet drink. Tippi agreed to sign a seven-year contract with him.

Hitchcock spent a lot of money and time testing Tippi for a role. She was a new actress with little experience. She was nervous but worked very hard. Hitchcock was impressed by her. He even asked a famous costume designer to create clothes for Tippi. He also wanted her name to be written as 'Tippi' in single quotes.

Later, Hitchcock invited Tippi to lunch. He gave her a golden pin shaped like three birds. Then, he asked her to play the main role in his new movie, The Birds. Tippi was very surprised and happy.

Starring in The Birds (1963)

Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock in "The Birds" teaser
Tippi Hedren with Alfred Hitchcock in a movie trailer for The Birds (1963)

The Birds (1963) was Tippi Hedren's first big movie role. Hitchcock taught her a lot about filmmaking. She learned how to understand a script and become a character. Tippi said she learned more in three years with him than she would have in 15 years otherwise.

Filming The Birds took six months. Tippi found it "wonderful" at first. But the final scene, where birds attack her in a bedroom, was very difficult. She was told they would use fake birds. Instead, real birds were thrown at her for five days. They had their beaks tied shut. One bird cut her cheek. Tippi was so exhausted that she cried. A doctor ordered her to rest for a week. Hitchcock did not want her to stop, but the doctor insisted.

When the movie came out, everyone was impressed with Tippi's acting. Hitchcock praised her and compared her to actress Grace Kelly. Variety magazine said she had "star quality." Tippi Hedren won a Golden Globe Award for her role. Her character, Melanie Daniels, is still considered one of the greatest movie characters ever.

Playing the Lead in Marnie (1964)

Tippi Hedren in "Marnie" trailer
Tippi Hedren in Marnie (1964)

Hitchcock was so pleased with Tippi's acting that he offered her the main role in his next film, Marnie (1964). This movie was a romantic drama and a psychological thriller. Tippi was excited to play such a "complicated, sad, tragic woman." She felt it was a special chance for an actress.

Tippi Hedren said Marnie was her favorite of the two films she made with Hitchcock. She found it challenging to play a woman who robs her employers. Hitchcock believed she would give an "Academy Award performance." When Marnie was first released, it received mixed reviews. However, over time, the film has become highly praised. Tippi's performance is now seen as one of the best in any Hitchcock movie. A critic from The New Yorker even called her performance "one of the greatest in the history of cinema."

Later Film Roles (1967–1973)

Tippi Hedren's next big movie after Marnie was A Countess from Hong Kong (1967). It starred Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren. The director, Charlie Chaplin, told her she would have a major role. But when she arrived for filming, she found her part was very small. She asked Chaplin why he had not told her the truth. He said he did not think she would come if she knew it was a small role. Tippi stayed in the film and found working with Chaplin interesting.

After this, Tippi's career was still seen as "spectacular." She wanted to find another special project. In 1968, she appeared in Tiger by the Tail. From 1970 to 1971, she was a guest star on the TV show The Courtship of Eddie's Father. She also acted in Satan's Harvest (1970) and Mister Kingstreet's War (1973). She took these roles because they were filmed in Africa, which she loved.

In 1973, Tippi Hedren played a teacher in The Harrad Experiment. Her daughter, Melanie Griffith, later married one of the film's stars, Don Johnson. Tippi felt the movie talked about important ideas like jealousy and marriage.

Making Roar (1974–1981)

In 1969, Tippi Hedren and her husband, Noel Marshall, were filming in Africa. They saw lions living in a house and thought it was funny. This gave them an idea for a movie. Marshall wrote a script about a family and wild cats. It was called Roar.

Tippi, her daughter Melanie, and Marshall's sons starred in the movie. They tried to rent trained animals, but no one would rent them so many lions. So, they decided to get and train their own wild cats. They even raised a lion cub named Neil in their house! After neighbors complained, they bought a ranch outside Los Angeles. This ranch became the set for Roar. They rescued many lions, tigers, and other wild cats there.

Tippi Hedren and Timbo the Elephant press clipping
Tippi Hedren in a picture from 1977. While filming Roar, an elephant picked her up with its trunk, breaking her ankle. She got an infection from this injury.

Filming Roar began in 1974 and took five years to finish. Over 150 untrained wild animals were in the movie. No animals were hurt during filming. However, more than 70 people from the cast and crew were injured. Tippi Hedren broke her leg and got cuts on her head from an elephant. A lion also bit her neck, needing 38 stitches. This bite can even be seen in the movie! In 1978, a flood destroyed the movie sets and killed three lions.

Roar was released worldwide in 1981. It cost $17 million to make but only earned $2 million. Even though it didn't make much money, it changed Tippi Hedren's life. In 1983, she started The Roar Foundation. This group helps care for big cats. She said it was important to care for the animals after the movie was finished.

Later Career (1982–Present)

After Roar, Tippi Hedren took on many TV and movie roles. She used the money to help her foundation and the animals at the Shambala Preserve. She appeared in TV shows like Hart to Hart (1983) and Tales from the Darkside (1984). In 1985, she had a small role in a new version of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Her daughter, Melanie Griffith, also appeared in the episode.

Tippi Hedren on the set of The Birds II Land's End, 1994
Tippi Hedren on the set of The Birds II: Land's End (1994)

In 1994, Tippi Hedren was in The Birds II: Land's End, a sequel to her famous movie. She was disappointed that her role was small. She said it helped her "feed my lions and tigers." She later said the movie was "absolutely horrible."

From 1994 to 1996, she had a role in the TV show Dream On. This show gave her a chance to do comedy, which she had not done before. In 1996, she acted in the movie Citizen Ruth. In 2004, she had a small but memorable role in the comedy I Heart Huckabees. She also appeared in TV shows like The 4400 (2006) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2008). In 2012, Tippi and her daughter Melanie acted together in an episode of Raising Hope.

Tippi Hedren wrote her autobiography, Tippi: A Memoir, in 2016. She wanted to tell her own story. In 2018, at age 88, she became the face of Gucci's watches and jewelry. She played a fortune teller in their commercial.

Influence and Legacy

Tippi Hedren's style and roles have inspired many artists and designers. A Louis Vuitton ad campaign in 2006 paid tribute to her and Hitchcock's movie Marnie. Her look from The Birds also inspired fashion designs.

Actress Naomi Watts said that Tippi Hedren's acting in Hitchcock films influenced her own character in the movie Mulholland Drive (2001). Naomi Watts and Tippi Hedren both appeared in I Heart Huckabees (2004). They were introduced by the director, and Watts said people often told her they looked alike.

Animal Rights Activism

Tippi Hedren's strong commitment to helping animals started in 1969. She was filming in Africa and saw the difficult lives of African lions. To help raise awareness for wildlife, she spent over ten years making the movie Roar (1981). In 1983, she started her own nonprofit group, the Roar Foundation. This foundation supports the Shambala Preserve. This is an 80-acre (32 ha) wildlife home where she continues to care for and protect lions and tigers.

The Shambala Preserve

The Birds 026
Tippi Hedren (center) at a Shambala benefit event in 2006.

In 1981, Tippi Hedren produced Roar. This project took 11 years and cost $17 million. It starred many African lions. Tippi said it was "probably one of the most dangerous films that Hollywood has ever seen." During the making of Roar, Tippi, her husband Noel Marshall, and daughter Melanie were attacked by lions. Tippi later wrote a book called Cats of Shambala (1985) about her experiences.

Roar only made $2 million worldwide. Tippi ended her marriage to Marshall in 1982. The movie led directly to her starting The Roar Foundation in 1983. This foundation supports Tippi's Shambala Preserve. It is located in Acton, California, near Los Angeles. Shambala is home to about 70 animals. Tippi Hedren lives at Shambala and gives tours to the public every month. She says that people do not have direct contact with the animals. All the big cats are spayed or neutered because they live in captivity. Tippi Hedren is also the founding president of the American Sanctuary Association.

Shambala became the new home for Michael Jackson's two Bengal tigers, Sabu and Thriller. He moved them there after closing his zoo. Thriller passed away in 2012. Several documentaries have been made about Shambala Preserve. These include Lions: Kings of the Serengeti (1995) and Life with Big Cats (1998). As of 2020, Tippi Hedren still cares for over a dozen lions and tigers. Her granddaughter, Dakota Johnson, also helps with their care.

Personal Life

Tippi Hedren met Peter Griffith, who worked in advertising. They married in 1952. They had one daughter, actress Melanie Griffith, born in 1957. They divorced in 1960.

In 1964, Tippi married her agent, Noel Marshall. He later produced three of her films, including Roar. Their marriage became difficult during the filming of Roar, and they divorced in 1982. In 1985, she married Luis Barrenechea, but they divorced in 1992. Tippi Hedren has three grandchildren, including actress Dakota Johnson.

Tippi Hedren played a role in helping Vietnamese-American people start nail salons in the United States. In 1975, she was helping refugees in California. She noticed the women were interested in her manicured nails. So, she arranged for her nail technician to teach them how to do nails. She also helped them find jobs in beauty schools. Her work with Vietnamese-Americans has been featured in documentaries.

Tippi Hedren had severe headaches for a long time. This made it hard for her to accept some acting jobs. After a medical procedure, she felt better. However, she later had an accident on a TV show set that caused the headaches to return. Tippi is a pescetarian, meaning she eats fish but not other meat.

Images for kids

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1950 The Petty Girl Ice Box Petty Girl Uncredited
1963 Birds, TheThe Birds Melanie Daniels
1964 Marnie Margaret "Marnie" Edgar
1967 Countess from Hong Kong, AA Countess from Hong Kong Martha Mears
1970 Tiger by the Tail Rita Armstrong
1970 Satan's Harvest Marla Oaks
1971 Mister Kingstreet's War Mary Kingstreet
1973 Harrad Experiment, TheThe Harrad Experiment Margaret Tenhausen
1981 Roar Madelaine
1982 Foxfire Light Elizabeth Morgan
1989 Deadly Spygames Chastity
1990 In the Cold of the Night Clara
1990 Pacific Heights Florence Peters
1994 Teresa's Tattoo Evelyn Hill
1994 Inevitable Grace Dr. Marcia Stevens
1996 Citizen Ruth Jessica Weiss
1997 Mulligans! Dottie Short film
1998 Break Up Mom
1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Maylinda Austed
1998 Internet Love Herself
1999 Storytellers, TheThe Storytellers Lillian Glosner
2001 Tea with Grandma Rae Short film
2001 Ice Cream Sundae Lady Short film
2003 Searching for Haizmann Dr. Michelle Labner
2003 Dark Wolf Mary Video
2003 Rose's Garden Rose Short film
2003 Julie and Jack Julie McNeal
2004 Raising Genius Babe
2004 Mind Rage Dr. Wilma Randolph
2004 I Heart Huckabees Mary Jane Hutchinson
2005 Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams, TheThe Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams Mrs. Adams
2005 Diamond Zero Eleanor Kelly
2007 Dead Write Minnie
2008 Her Morbid Desires Gloria Video
2012 Jayne Mansfield's Car Naomi Caldwell Uncredited; scenes cut
2012 Free Samples Betty
2013 Return to Babylon Mrs. Peabody
2017 The Ghost and the Whale Tippi

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1965 Kraft Suspense Theatre Lee Anne Wickheimer Episode: "The Trains of Silence"
1965 Run for Your Life Jessica Braden Episode: "Someone Who Makes Me Feel Beautiful"
1970 Courtship of Eddie's Father, TheThe Courtship of Eddie's Father Cissy Drummond-Randolph 2 episodes
1973 Docteur Caraïbes Sonia Episode: "The Man and the Albatross"
1976 Bionic Woman, TheThe Bionic Woman Susan Victor Episode: "Claws"
1982 Blue Peter Herself
1983 Hart to Hart Liza Atterton Episode: "Hunted Harts"
1984 Tales from the Darkside Ruth Anderson Episode: "Mookie and Pookie"
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Waitress Episode: "Man from the South"
1988 Hotel Barbara Lyman Episode: "Double Take"
1988 Baby Boom Laura Curtis Episode: "Christmas '88"
1990 Return to Green Acres Arleen Television film
1990–1991 Bold and the Beautiful, TheThe Bold and the Beautiful Helen Maclaine TV series
1991 Shadow of a Doubt Teresa Mathewson Television film
1991 In the Heat of the Night Annabelle Van Buren Episode: "Liar's Poker"
1992 Through the Eyes of a Killer Mrs. Bellano Television film
1993 Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal Beverly Courtney Television film
1993 Murder, She Wrote Catherine Noble Episode: "Bloodlines"
1994 Birds II: Land's End, TheThe Birds II: Land's End Helen Television film
1994 Treacherous Beauties Lettie Hollister Television film
1994–1996 Dream On Di Recurring role
1997 Adventures from the Book of Virtues Madame Sofroni Voice, episode: "Generosity"
1997 Guardian, TheThe Guardian Wynn Television film
1998 Chicago Hope Alfreda Perkins Episode: "Psychodrama"
1998 New Batman Adventures, TheThe New Batman Adventures Donna Day Voice, episode: "Mean Seasons"
1998 Invasion America Mrs. McAllister Voice, 2 episodes
1999 Darklings, TheThe Darklings Martha Jackson Television film
1999 Replacing Dad Dixie Television film
2000 Bull Caitlin Coyle Episode: "A Beautiful Lie"
2000 Providence Constance Hemming 2 episodes
2001 The Nightmare Room The Witch, Herself Episode: "Fear Games"
2003 111 Gramercy Park Mrs. Granville Television film
2006 Fashion House Doris Thompson Recurring role
2006 4400, TheThe 4400 Lily Tyler Episode: "The New World"
2006 Where Are They Now Guest - Herself TV series Australia, 1 episode
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Karen Rosenthal Episode: "Young Man with a Horn"
2009 Tribute Mrs. Hennessey Television film
2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Hippolyta Voice, episode: "Triumvirate of Terror!"
2012 Raising Hope Nana 1 episode

Awards and Recognitions

Tippi Hendren
Tippi Hedren in 2002

Tippi Hedren has received many honors and awards throughout her career for her acting and her work with animals.

  • 1964: Most Promising Newcomer Award from Photoplay
  • 1964: Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actress (shared with Ursula Andress and Elke Sommer)
  • 1994: Life Achievement Award in France at The Beauvais Film Festival Cinemalia
  • 1995: Life Achievement Award in Spain, La Fundación Municipal de Cine
  • 1995: The Helen Woodward Animal Center's Annual Humane Award
  • 1996: Founder's Award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • 1997: Lion and Lamb Award from Wildhaven
  • 1999: Woman of Vision Award from Women of Film and Video in Washington, D.C.
  • 1999: Presidential Medal for her work in film from Hofstra University
  • 1999: Humanitarian Award at the Las Vegas International Film Festival
  • 2000: Best Actress in a Comedy Short Award in the short film Mulligans! at the Method Fest, Independent Film Festival
  • 2002: Best Actress Award for the short film Tea with Grandma from the New York International Independent Film Festival
  • 2003: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • 2003: Women of Los Angeles Annual Hope is a Woman Honor
  • 2004: PAWS Companion for Life Award
  • 2004: Best Actress Award for the short film Rose's Garden from the Los Angeles TV Short Film Festival
  • 2004: Animal Rights Advocacy Award at Artivist Film Festival
  • 2005: Living Legacy Award
  • 2006: Conservationist of the Year—Dino Award from the Las Vegas Natural History Museum
  • 2007: Lifetime Achievement Award—Riverside Film Festival
  • 2007: Jules Verne "Nature" Award — the 1st Annual Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival of Los Angeles
  • 2008: Academy of Art University's 2nd Epidemic Film Festival Award
  • 2008: Jules Verne Legendaire Award
  • 2008: Thespian Award – LA Femme Film Festival
  • 2009: "When a Woman Wills She Will!" Award by the Woman's Club of Hollywood
  • 2009: Workhouse's first Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award
  • 2009: Received the First Star on the Orinda Theater Walk of Fame
  • 2010: Received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Genesis Awards show from the Humane Society
  • 2010: BraveHeart Award
  • 2010: Who-Manitarian Award
  • 2011: Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at its 90th Annual Installation & Awards Luncheon
  • 2011: "The Women Together Award" from the United Nations
  • 2011: Vietnamese-American Marton Saint Award from the Boat People SOS Organization
  • 2011: Omni Youth Humanitarian/Career Achievement Award
  • 2012: Honorary Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the New York Film Academy
  • 2012: Mayor Career Achievement Award from Starz Denver Film Festival
  • 2013: Legacy of Style Award
  • 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award at the Puerto Rico Horror Film Fest
  • 2013: "People Helping People" Award by the Touching Live TV Award Show, broadwayworld.com; accessed November 14, 2015.
  • 2014: Lifetime Achievement Award from Bel-Air Film Festival
  • 2014: Special Recognition Award from Acton Women's Club
  • 2014:The Women's International Film & Television Showcase Foundation International Visionary Award, thewifts.org; accessed November 14, 2015.
  • 2015: Choreography of Desire (A Tribute to Tippi Hedren) by the Vienna International Film Festival, viennale.at; accessed November 14, 2015.
  • 2015: Believe, Achieve, Empower Award
  • 2017: Los Angeles Press Club's 2017 Visionary Award
  • 2017: Waggy Award recipient from the Tailwaggers Foundation
  • 2017: The Icon Award
  • 2018: "Friend for Life Award" from The Palm Springs Animal Shelter

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tippi Hedren para niños

kids search engine
Tippi Hedren Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.