Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren (born January 19, 1931 in New Ulm, Minnesota) is an American actress. She was discovered by Alfred Hitchcock who saw her while she was doing a diet drink commercial. He was looking for an actress who looked like Grace Kelly. Hedren appeared in The Birds and Marnie for Hitchcock.

Hedren and Hitchcock

Hitchcock's plan to mold her image went so far as insisting that her name should be printed only in single quotes -- 'Tippi' -- yet for the most part, journalists ignored the press releases with this curious dictum by the director. Strained by Hitchcock's controlling manner, Hedren declined further work with him after Marnie in 1964. "It grew to be impossible. He was a very controlling type of person, and I guess I'm not about to be controlled." Ending their professional relationship on a sour note, she remarked "He said, 'Well, I'll ruin your career.' And he did." Producers who wished to hire Hedren for acting roles had to go through Hitchcock, who would inform them that "she isn't available." 3

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