Tippi Hedren

Nathalie Kay "Tippi" Hedren was an American retired actress born on January 19, 1930, in New Ulm, Minnesota. Initially a fashion model, she graced the front covers of numerous magazines including Life and Glamour. It was her appearance on a TV commercial in 1961 that caught the attention of director Alfred Hitchcock, leading her to an illustrious career in acting. Her performances in films such as the suspense-thriller 'The Birds' and the psychological drama 'Marnie' garnered her great acclaim, and she even won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Despite her acting prowess, Hedren was also deeply committed to animal rescue. This became apparent in 1969 when she was introduced to the plight of African lions. This led her to spend over a decade producing 'Roar', a film aimed at raising wildlife awareness. She later founded her own nonprofit organization, the Roar Foundation, and the Shambala Preserve, an 80-acre wildlife habitat.

In addition to her film career, Hedren was instrumental in the development of Vietnamese-American nail salons. This came about after she employed her nail technician to teach Vietnamese refugee women the trade. She also set up relief programs worldwide following earthquakes, hurricanes, famine, and wars. Hedren continues to leave her mark on the world of cinema, being recognized with the Jules Verne Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.