Tippi Hedren

Date of Birth: January 19, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Tippi Hedren is an American actress, animal rights activist, and former fashion model. Born Nathalie Kay Hedren, she achieved international fame for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s classics “The Birds” (1963) and “Marnie” (1964). Hedren began her career as a fashion model in the 1950s, appearing on the covers of major magazines like Life and Glamour. Her transition to acting was serendipitous when Hitchcock noticed her in a television commercial and cast her in “The Birds.” Despite her successful film career, Hedren faced professional challenges, particularly due to her strained relationship with Hitchcock. Beyond her acting career, Hedren has been a staunch advocate for animal rights. She founded the Shambala Preserve, a wildlife sanctuary in California, where she takes care of big cats and other exotic animals. She also played a key role in the passing of the Captive Wildlife Safety Act in 2003. Her legacy extends to her family, with her daughter Melanie Griffith and granddaughter Dakota Johnson both following in her footsteps in the entertainment industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Tippi Hedren

1. Tippi Hedren’s real name is Nathalie Kay Hedren.

2. She won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 1964.

3. She founded the Roar Foundation in 1983 to support the Shambala Preserve.

4. Hitchcock reportedly kept Hedren under an exclusive contract and controlled her career choices during the filming of “The Birds” and “Marnie.”

5. She inspired the character in the HBO film “The Girl” (2012), which depicts her troubled relationship with Hitchcock.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tippi Hedren

1. “I really don’t know what to do when they call me a sex symbol. I wish I could just lie down and play dead.”

2. “I’m a very strong believer in listening and learning from others.”

3. “Hitchcock was a great director, but he was a tyrant. He was very controlling, very demanding.”

4. “I’m very independent. I can look after myself and I don’t have to worry about anyone else.”

5. “Animal rights are not a gift we give to animals. They are a birthright we have taken from them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

$20 million

Children

Tippi Hedren has one daughter, Melanie Griffith, who is an accomplished actress known for her roles in films like “Working Girl” and “Something Wild.” Melanie Griffith has three children, including actress Dakota Johnson, famous for her role in the “Fifty Shades” series.