History of Tippi Hedren in Timeline

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".

1968: Tiger by the Tail and Five Against Kansas

Following A Countess from Hong Kong, in 1968, Hedren starred in Tiger by the Tail and signed onto the ultimately unrealized project Five Against Kansas.

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: Mister Kingstreet's War and The Harrad Experiment

In 1973, Hedren appeared in Mister Kingstreet's War, filmed back-to-back with Satan's Harvest in Africa, and starred in The Harrad Experiment.

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.

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.

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.

2012: Release of "The Girl"

"The Girl," an HBO/BBC film about the relationship between Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock, was released in 2012. The film, based on Spoto's "Spellbound by Beauty," sparked controversy due to its portrayal of Hitchcock.

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.