Tippi Hedren's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Tippi Hedren.Photo: Genevieve Naylor/Corbis via Getty Images; Jeff Vespa/Getty Images

Tippi Hedren, born Nathalie Kay Hedren, is one of Old Hollywood’s most iconic leading ladies who has starred in everything fromAlfred Hitchcockthrillers to indie gems, as well as popped up on soap operas, procedurals and beloved sitcoms.

Hedren has been one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars for more than half a century, with her acting, animal activism and famous offspring (she’s the mother of Melanie Griffithandgrandmother of Dakota Johnson).

Look back at her life and career in the photos below.

01of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Start

Universal Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

02of 22Tippi Hedren’s MarriagesGetty ImagesThe actress has been married three times. She first wed actor and advertising executive Peter Griffith in 1952, before splitting from him nine years later. Together, they welcomed her only child, daughter and future Hollywood starMelanie Griffith, in 1957.She then married her agent, Noel Marshall (pictured on their wedding day, along with a young Melanie), in 1964. The pair were together for 18 years before going their separate ways in 1982.Three years later, Hedren tied the knot with Luis Barrenechea, whom she stayed with for a decade until their 1995 divorce. In 2002, she got engaged to veterinarian Martin Dinnes, but the pair ended things after six years together.

02of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Marriages

Getty Images

The actress has been married three times. She first wed actor and advertising executive Peter Griffith in 1952, before splitting from him nine years later. Together, they welcomed her only child, daughter and future Hollywood starMelanie Griffith, in 1957.

She then married her agent, Noel Marshall (pictured on their wedding day, along with a young Melanie), in 1964. The pair were together for 18 years before going their separate ways in 1982.

Three years later, Hedren tied the knot with Luis Barrenechea, whom she stayed with for a decade until their 1995 divorce. In 2002, she got engaged to veterinarian Martin Dinnes, but the pair ended things after six years together.

03of 22Tippi Hedren’s Modeling DaysGenevieve Naylor/Corbis via Getty ImagesHere, a young Hedren strikes a pose during a photo shoot.

03of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Modeling Days

Genevieve Naylor/Corbis via Getty Images

Here, a young Hedren strikes a pose during a photo shoot.

04of 22Tippi Hedren at the Cannes Film FestivalWilli Schneider/ShutterstockHedren stole the spotlight at the1963 Cannes Film Festival, looking every bit the quintessential Hollywood starlet alongside Hitchcock. But under the surface, things weren’t as glamorous as they seemed. She’s since spoken out abouther tumultuous relationshipwith the famed director, revealing that he threatened to “ruin” her career if she refused his sexual advances.“It became such a problem for me that I demanded to get out of the contract. And he said, ‘Well, you can’t, you have your daughter to support and your parents are getting older.’ And I said, ‘They wouldn’t want me in a situation in which I’m not happy,’ " the actress recalled toNPR in 2016. “And he said, ‘Well, I’ll ruin your career.’ And he did.““He just kept me under contract, paying me my salary,” she explained. “A lot of directors and producers wanted me for their film, but to get to me, they had to go through him.”

04of 22

Tippi Hedren at the Cannes Film Festival

Willi Schneider/Shutterstock

Hedren stole the spotlight at the1963 Cannes Film Festival, looking every bit the quintessential Hollywood starlet alongside Hitchcock. But under the surface, things weren’t as glamorous as they seemed. She’s since spoken out abouther tumultuous relationshipwith the famed director, revealing that he threatened to “ruin” her career if she refused his sexual advances.

“It became such a problem for me that I demanded to get out of the contract. And he said, ‘Well, you can’t, you have your daughter to support and your parents are getting older.’ And I said, ‘They wouldn’t want me in a situation in which I’m not happy,’ " the actress recalled toNPR in 2016. “And he said, ‘Well, I’ll ruin your career.’ And he did.”

“He just kept me under contract, paying me my salary,” she explained. “A lot of directors and producers wanted me for their film, but to get to me, they had to go through him.”

05of 22Tippi Hedren Wins a Golden GlobeEarl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesFor her turn inThe Birds, Hedren earned the 1964 Golden Globe for most promising newcomer.

05of 22

Tippi Hedren Wins a Golden Globe

Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

For her turn inThe Birds, Hedren earned the 1964 Golden Globe for most promising newcomer.

06of 22Tippi Hedren’s Starring Role in ‘Marnie’FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty ImagesHedren’s last film with Hitchcock was her titular role in 1964’sMarnie, his self-described “sex mystery,” in which she starred as a compulsive thief with a fear of the color red, oppositeSean Connery.

06of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Starring Role in ‘Marnie’

FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

Hedren’s last film with Hitchcock was her titular role in 1964’sMarnie, his self-described “sex mystery,” in which she starred as a compulsive thief with a fear of the color red, oppositeSean Connery.

07of 22

The Making of ‘Roar’

Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty Images

The movie star and her second husband, Noel Marshall (pictured together at the Directors Guild of America Awards in 1981) worked together on 1981’sRoar, a film Marshall wrote, co-produced and starred in alongside Tippi, Melanie and a menagerie of animals the pair collected. The movie filmed on what eventually became Tippi’s home, the 80-acre Shambala Preserve.

08of 22Tippi Hedren’s Home for Big CatsHulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesTippi’s love affair with animals was first sparked in 1969, while working on the filmSatan’s Harvestin Africa. She and Marshall went on to found The Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve near Acton, California. The preserve initially served as the backdrop for their film, and now is a non-profit center for care and research on big cats, according to Shambala’swebsite. Here, she poses with daughter Melanie on the preserve in 1982.

08of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Home for Big Cats

Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Tippi’s love affair with animals was first sparked in 1969, while working on the filmSatan’s Harvestin Africa. She and Marshall went on to found The Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve near Acton, California. The preserve initially served as the backdrop for their film, and now is a non-profit center for care and research on big cats, according to Shambala’swebsite. Here, she poses with daughter Melanie on the preserve in 1982.

09of 22Tippi Hedren at Home in the DesertPaul Harris/Getty ImagesHere, Hedren is seen standing atop an elephant in 1983. According to Shambala’s website, “many of Shambala’s residents are cast-offs from private owners, zoos and circuses. “Hedren has been the recipient of several awards for her animal activism, including The Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Annual Humane Award” (1995), the Founder’s Award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1996) and the Lion and Lamb Award from Wildhaven (1997).

09of 22

Tippi Hedren at Home in the Desert

Paul Harris/Getty Images

Here, Hedren is seen standing atop an elephant in 1983. According to Shambala’s website, “many of Shambala’s residents are cast-offs from private owners, zoos and circuses. "

Hedren has been the recipient of several awards for her animal activism, including The Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Annual Humane Award” (1995), the Founder’s Award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1996) and the Lion and Lamb Award from Wildhaven (1997).

10of 22Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith at the Golden GlobesRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesThe mother-daughter duo hit the 1987 Golden Globes in full ’80s regalia, decked out in colorful sequin dresses. Melanie was nominated for best actress for her role inSomething Wild;while she didn’t win, she went on to take home the award two years later for her turn inWorking Girl.

10of 22

Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith at the Golden Globes

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The mother-daughter duo hit the 1987 Golden Globes in full ’80s regalia, decked out in colorful sequin dresses. Melanie was nominated for best actress for her role inSomething Wild;while she didn’t win, she went on to take home the award two years later for her turn inWorking Girl.

11of 22Tippi Hedren at the OscarsBarry King/WireImageThe screen queen made a memorable entrance on the 1989 Academy Awards red carpet in this fiery red-and-orange number.

11of 22

Tippi Hedren at the Oscars

Barry King/WireImage

The screen queen made a memorable entrance on the 1989 Academy Awards red carpet in this fiery red-and-orange number.

12of 22Tippi Hedren’s StyleRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesThe animal lover has long had a penchant for jungle-themed prints: here, she wears a leopard-print gown and a belt featuring a gold lion head at the 1990 American Cinema Awards in Beverly Hills.

12of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Style

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The animal lover has long had a penchant for jungle-themed prints: here, she wears a leopard-print gown and a belt featuring a gold lion head at the 1990 American Cinema Awards in Beverly Hills.

13of 22Tippi Hedren’s Third HusbandRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHere, Hedren looks radiant in her trademark animal print in 1992 alongside her third husband, Luis Barrenechea, at a Benefit for the Scott Newman Center honoring George Schlatter in Beverly Hills.

13of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Third Husband

Here, Hedren looks radiant in her trademark animal print in 1992 alongside her third husband, Luis Barrenechea, at a Benefit for the Scott Newman Center honoring George Schlatter in Beverly Hills.

14of 22What Happened to Tippi Hedren’s Big Cats?Eddie sanderson/Getty ImagesAt one point, Hedren’s menagerie included more than 60 lions, tigers, leopards and more. In recent years, granddaughter Johnson has said thecollection is down to about a dozen: “There used to be like 60 cats, and now there’s just a couple.“Here, Hedren is seen at her home on the preserve in one of her most iconic photographs alongside a tiger named Zoe in 1994.

14of 22

What Happened to Tippi Hedren’s Big Cats?

Eddie sanderson/Getty Images

At one point, Hedren’s menagerie included more than 60 lions, tigers, leopards and more. In recent years, granddaughter Johnson has said thecollection is down to about a dozen: “There used to be like 60 cats, and now there’s just a couple.”

Here, Hedren is seen at her home on the preserve in one of her most iconic photographs alongside a tiger named Zoe in 1994.

15of 22Tippi Hedren Walks in Fashion WeekEric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty ImagesHedren harkened back to her modeling days — and her role inThe Birds— when she walked the runway for Mugler’s star-studded Autumn/Winter ‘95 20th anniversary show in a feathered gown and velvet cape.

15of 22

Tippi Hedren Walks in Fashion Week

Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

Hedren harkened back to her modeling days — and her role inThe Birds— when she walked the runway for Mugler’s star-studded Autumn/Winter ‘95 20th anniversary show in a feathered gown and velvet cape.

16of 22Tippi Hedren Gets a Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameMaury Phillips/WireImageHedren was honored for her work in film with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. There to support her on the special day was daughter Griffith, as well as her granddaughters Johnson and Stella Banderas.

16of 22

Tippi Hedren Gets a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Maury Phillips/WireImage

Hedren was honored for her work in film with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. There to support her on the special day was daughter Griffith, as well as her granddaughters Johnson and Stella Banderas.

17of 22

Tippi Hedren Toasts to 75

Bill Dow/WireImage

18of 22Tippi Hedren Keeps It ClassicBeck Starr/FilmMagicHedren looked glamorous as ever in this 2011 shot taken on the Shambala Preserve.

18of 22

Tippi Hedren Keeps It Classic

Beck Starr/FilmMagic

Hedren looked glamorous as ever in this 2011 shot taken on the Shambala Preserve.

19of 22Tippi Hedren’s Three Generations of ActressesJeff Vespa/Getty ImagesLike mother, like daughter, like granddaughters! Tippi had a matching moment with daughter Griffith and granddaughters Johnson and Stella Banderas at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards in 2015.“She’s such a glamorous movie star, still,” Johnsonpreviously saidof her grandmother.

19of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Three Generations of Actresses

Jeff Vespa/Getty Images

Like mother, like daughter, like granddaughters! Tippi had a matching moment with daughter Griffith and granddaughters Johnson and Stella Banderas at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards in 2015.

“She’s such a glamorous movie star, still,” Johnsonpreviously saidof her grandmother.

20of 22Tippi Hedren’s 2016 MemoirTara Ziemba/Getty ImagesThe screen siren published an eponymous memoir,Tippi, in 2016, which recounts her rise to stardom and animal activism as well as some of the darker truths about director Alfred Hitchcock,whom she claims sexually assaulted her.

20of 22

Tippi Hedren’s 2016 Memoir

Tara Ziemba/Getty Images

The screen siren published an eponymous memoir,Tippi, in 2016, which recounts her rise to stardom and animal activism as well as some of the darker truths about director Alfred Hitchcock,whom she claims sexually assaulted her.

21of 22Tippi Hedren’s Most Recent Red CarpetSteve Granitz/WireImageHedren has largely stayed out of the spotlight in the last few years. Her most recent public appearance came on Oct. 24, 2018, whenshe accompanied Johnsonto the premiere of her movieSuspiriain Hollywood. The50 Shades of Greystar gave fans a brief glimpse at the actress in an Instagrambirthday tributeto her in 2021, which included throwback photos as well as a few more recent shots of her “Mor Mor” holding a bouquet of flowers and trying out Instagram filters.

21of 22

Tippi Hedren’s Most Recent Red Carpet

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Hedren has largely stayed out of the spotlight in the last few years. Her most recent public appearance came on Oct. 24, 2018, whenshe accompanied Johnsonto the premiere of her movieSuspiriain Hollywood. The50 Shades of Greystar gave fans a brief glimpse at the actress in an Instagrambirthday tributeto her in 2021, which included throwback photos as well as a few more recent shots of her “Mor Mor” holding a bouquet of flowers and trying out Instagram filters.

22of 22Tippi Hedren’s 95th BirthdayMelanie Griffith/InstagramGriffith shared a rare glimpse of her mom as she blew out the candles on her 95th birthday cake.“My beautiful Mama turned 95 yesterday! 🥰♥️🥰♥️🥰 She’s happy, healthy and feisty!!“she wrote on Instagram.

22of 22

Tippi Hedren’s 95th Birthday

Melanie Griffith/Instagram

Griffith shared a rare glimpse of her mom as she blew out the candles on her 95th birthday cake.

“My beautiful Mama turned 95 yesterday! 🥰♥️🥰♥️🥰 She’s happy, healthy and feisty!!“she wrote on Instagram.

source: people.com