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Entertainment • Actor

Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren is an American actress, former fashion model, and animal-rights activist best known for starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s films The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tippi Hedren is an American actress, former fashion model, and animal-rights activist best known for starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s films The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964). She later founded the Shambala Preserve in California to care for rescued big cats and became known for her conservation work.

Early life and modelling

Born Nathalie Kay Hedren in New Ulm, Minnesota, she began her career as a fashion model before moving into screen work. Her modelling helped establish her public profile before her film breakthrough.

Film career

Hedren became internationally known for her leading roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Marnie. Her later work included A Countess from Hong Kong, Citizen Ruth, and I Heart Huckabees.

Animal welfare work

Hedren created Shambala Preserve in Southern California to care for rescued big cats and later expanded her advocacy through the Roar Foundation. Her animal-protection work became a major part of her public identity.

Personal life

Hedren is the mother of actress Melanie Griffith. Sources also note that she has been married three times.

Key facts

  • Hedren first gained public attention as a fashion model before entering film.
  • Alfred Hitchcock cast her after seeing her in a television commercial.
  • Her breakout film role was in The Birds (1963), followed by Marnie (1964).
  • She founded Shambala Preserve, a sanctuary for rescued exotic cats and big cats.
  • She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
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Canadian context

Hedren’s work is mainly associated with Hollywood and U.S. animal advocacy, but her films have been widely seen in Canada and remain part of classic cinema programming.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tippi Hedren?
Tippi Hedren is an American actress, former fashion model, and animal-welfare advocate known especially for The Birds and Marnie.
What is Tippi Hedren’s birth name?
Her birth name is Nathalie Kay Hedren.
What films is Tippi Hedren best known for?
She is best known for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964).
Did Tippi Hedren win any major awards?
She won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year for The Birds and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2003.
What is Shambala Preserve?
Shambala Preserve is an animal sanctuary in Southern California founded by Hedren to care for rescued exotic cats and big cats.
Is Tippi Hedren related to Melanie Griffith?
Yes. Melanie Griffith is Tippi Hedren’s daughter.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tippi-Hedren
    Supports: Birth date/place, profession, and best-known films.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/tippi-hedren
    Supports: Modeling background, Hitchcock casting, animal sanctuary work, family details, and Walk of Fame star.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001335/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date/place, and career overview.
  4. Hollywood Walk of Fame — https://walkoffame.com/tippi-hedren/
    Supports: Walk of Fame star, career summary, and Shambala Preserve.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tippi_Hedren
    Supports: Filmography breadth and notable later film roles.