Tippi Hedren is a retired American actress who transitioned from a successful fashion model, gracing the covers of Life and Glamour, to the silver screen after being discovered by Alfred Hitchcock in 1961. Her acclaimed performances in Hitchcock's The Birds (1963), which earned her a Golden Globe Award, and Marnie (1964) cemented her place in Hollywood. With a career spanning over 80 films and television appearances, Hedren's work includes roles in Charlie Chaplin's final film, A Countess from Hong Kong (1967), Citizen Ruth (1996), and I Heart Huckabees (2004). She has received numerous accolades, including the Jules Verne Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
January 19, 1930: Birth of Tippi Hedren
Tippi Hedren was born on January 19, 1930, in New Ulm, Minnesota.
1935: Misreported Birth Year
For much of her career, Tippi Hedren's birth year was misreported as 1935.
October 24, 1951: Marriage License with Peter Griffith
On October 24, 1951, Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith obtained a marriage license in New York, a day after Griffith's 18th birthday.
August 9, 1957: Birth of Melanie Griffith
On August 9, 1957, Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith's daughter, Melanie Griffith, was born.
1958: Release of Hitchcock's "Vertigo"
Alfred Hitchcock's film "Vertigo," starring Kim Novak, was released in 1958. Novak later commented on Hitchcock's portrayal in "The Girl," stating she had not witnessed similar behavior from him.
1960: Divorce from Peter Griffith
In 1960, Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith divorced.
October 13, 1961: Contacted by Alfred Hitchcock's Agent
On October 13, 1961, Tippi Hedren received a call from Alfred Hitchcock's agent, leading to a meeting and a seven-year contract.
1961: Divorce and Return to California
In 1961, Tippi Hedren divorced Peter Griffith and returned to California with her daughter, Melanie.
1961: Discovered by Alfred Hitchcock
In 1961, Tippi Hedren was discovered by Alfred Hitchcock after appearing in a television commercial.
1963: The Birds Filming and Hitchcock's Mentorship
During the filming of "The Birds" in 1963, Alfred Hitchcock mentored Tippi Hedren in filmmaking.
1963: The Birds Premiere and Critical Acclaim
In 1963, "The Birds" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received positive reviews, praising Hedren's performance.
1963: The Birds Release and Golden Globe Win
In 1963, Tippi Hedren made her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year.
September 27, 1964: Marriage to Noel Marshall
On September 27, 1964, Tippi Hedren married her agent, Noel Marshall.
1964: Marnie Filming and Hitchcock's Praise
During the filming of "Marnie" in 1964, Alfred Hitchcock praised Tippi Hedren's acting abilities.
1964: Marnie Release
Tippi Hedren starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "Marnie" in 1964.
1965: Hedren Appears in Television Shows
In 1965, Tippi Hedren appeared in two television shows, "Kraft Suspense Theatre" and "Run for Your Life," while still under contract with Alfred Hitchcock.
1966: Hitchcock Sells Hedren's Contract
In 1966, after attempting to control Hedren's career for two years, Alfred Hitchcock sold her contract to Universal Studios. Hedren was later released from that contract as well.
1967: A Countess from Hong Kong
In 1967, Tippi Hedren appeared in Charlie Chaplin's final film, "A Countess from Hong Kong".
1967: A Countess from Hong Kong
In 1967, Tippi Hedren appeared in the film A Countess from Hong Kong, directed by Charlie Chaplin. Initially promised a major supporting role, she later discovered it was a cameo.
1969: Inspiration for Roar
In 1969, while filming Satan's Harvest in Africa, Hedren and her husband Noel Marshall were inspired by lions living in a house to create the film Roar.
1969: Begins Animal Rescue Efforts
Tippi Hedren's commitment to animal rescue began in 1969 while filming in Africa.
1970: Satan's Harvest and The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Tippi Hedren began filming Satan's Harvest in 1970 and also guest-starred on The Courtship of Eddie's Father.
1971: The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Hedren continued guest-starring on The Courtship of Eddie's Father into 1971.
1971: Life with Lions and Roar Pre-Production
In 1971, Hedren and Marshall began raising lion cubs in their home and documented their experiences. This marked the beginning of their journey towards filming Roar.
1973: End of Professional Relationship with Hitchcock
In 1973, Tippi Hedren publicly acknowledged the end of her professional relationship with Alfred Hitchcock, citing his possessiveness and demanding nature as reasons for the split.
1973: The Harrad Experiment
In 1973, Tippi Hedren starred in The Harrad Experiment, a film exploring themes of possession, jealousy, and marriage.
1974: Roar Filming Begins
Filming for Roar commenced in 1974.
1975: Helping Vietnamese Refugees
In 1975, Tippi Hedren began helping Vietnamese refugees at Hope Village, teaching them nail care skills and helping them find jobs.
1975: Assistance to Kieu Chinh
In 1975, after the Fall of Saigon, Tippi Hedren assisted Kieu Chinh in entering the US, providing her with a visa, air ticket, and accommodation.
1978: Roar Setback
In 1978, a flood damaged the Roar set and killed three lions, delaying the production.
1979: Roar Production Challenges
In 1979, a bushfire during Roar's production led to the evacuation of the animals and a severe injury to Noel Marshall.
1979: Hedren Attends Hitchcock's AFI Award Ceremony
Tippi Hedren attended the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony honoring Alfred Hitchcock in 1979, demonstrating a complex relationship with the director despite the challenges they faced.
1981: Roar Release
In 1981, Tippi Hedren released the film "Roar", aiming to raise awareness for wildlife.
1981: Roar Release
Roar was released internationally in 1981, but not in the United States due to distribution disputes.
1982: Foxfire Light
In 1982, Hedren co-starred with Leslie Nielsen in Foxfire Light.
1982: Divorce from Noel Marshall
Tippi Hedren and Noel Marshall divorced in 1982. A restraining order was issued against Marshall.
1983: Hart to Hart
Hedren appeared in the television series Hart to Hart in 1983.
1983: The Roar Foundation
Hedren established The Roar Foundation in 1983 to care for the big cats used in the film.
1983: Donald Spoto's "The Dark Side of Genius"
In 1983, author Donald Spoto published "The Dark Side of Genius," a biography of Alfred Hitchcock, in which Hedren detailed her difficult relationship with the director for the first time. The book sparked controversy, with some of Hitchcock's friends disputing its portrayal of him.
1983: Roar Foundation Founded
Tippi Hedren founded the Roar Foundation in 1983 to support the Shambala Preserve.
1984: Tales from the Darkside
Hedren appeared in the horror series Tales from the Darkside in 1984.
February 15, 1985: Marriage to Luis Barrenechea
On February 15, 1985, Tippi Hedren married Luis Barrenechea.
1985: The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
In 1985, Hedren made a cameo appearance alongside her daughter, Melanie Griffith, in The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
1990: Pacific Heights and The Bold and the Beautiful
In 1990, Hedren appeared in the film Pacific Heights with her daughter and took a role in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
1992: Divorce from Luis Barrenechea
In 1992, Tippi Hedren and Luis Barrenechea divorced.
1994: The Birds II: Land's End
Hedren appeared in The Birds II: Land's End in 1994, a sequel to her iconic film The Birds. While disappointed with the size of the role, she acknowledged it helped support her animal preserve.
1996: Citizen Ruth Release
Tippi Hedren starred in the political satire "Citizen Ruth" in 1996.
2002: Engagement to Martin Dinnes
Tippi Hedren became engaged to Martin Dinnes in 2002.
2004: Confirms Birth Year
In 2004, Tippi Hedren confirmed her actual birth year of 1930 in an A&E Biography.
2004: I Heart Huckabees Release
Tippi Hedren appeared in the existential comedy "I Heart Huckabees" in 2004.
2006: Injury on Set and Role in "Fashion House"
In 2006, Tippi Hedren accepted a role in "Fashion House" after recovering from headaches, but experienced a relapse after an on-set accident involving water falling on her head.
2007: Reflection on The Birds II
In 2007, Hedren expressed her negative opinion of The Birds II: Land's End.
September 2008: End of Engagement and Seeking New Relationship
In September 2008, Tippi Hedren's engagement with Martin Dinnes ended, and she expressed her desire to find a new partner.
2008: Spoto's "Spellbound by Beauty" Reveals Hitchcock's Demands
Donald Spoto's 2008 book, "Spellbound by Beauty," revealed Alfred Hitchcock's inappropriate sexual demands towards Tippi Hedren, leading to a significant conflict between them and ultimately the end of their professional relationship.
2013: Malpractice Lawsuit Settlement
In 2013, Tippi Hedren was awarded a $1.5 million settlement in a malpractice lawsuit against her former lawyer, but faced difficulties collecting the money and the report about it caused issues for her foundation.
January 1, 2014: BCL CND Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund
Starting January 1, 2014, the BCL CND Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund was launched to support professional nail education.
2015: Roar Re-release
Roar was re-released in 2015, but Hedren declined to participate in promotion due to perceived inaccuracies.
2016: Marnie's Re-evaluation and Critical Acclaim
In 2016, "Marnie" was re-evaluated and received critical acclaim, with Hedren's performance being praised as one of the greatest in cinema history.
2017: End of Scholarship Fund
In 2017, the BCL CND Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund concluded its operations.
2024: Premiere of "Double Feature"
John Logan's play "Double Feature," about Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock's relationship, premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in London in 2024.