The Only Main Actors Still Alive From Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds

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As a devoted fan of classic cinema, I can’t help but marvel at the remarkable journey of Tippi Hedren and Veronica Cartwright, two of the few surviving stars from Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film “The Birds.

Among the most iconic and fashionable chills from the 1960s, “The Birds” significantly solidified Alfred Hitchcock’s enduring reputation in filmmaking. If this were his sole contribution, it would still have cemented his legacy. The movie revolves around Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren), a young woman from high society, who unexpectedly finds herself in peril due to her spontaneous fascination with lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor).

In an attempt to gift a loving pair of birds for Cathy’s birthday, Melanie encounters a predicament in the tranquil town of Bodega Bay, Mitch’s hometown. However, peace is short-lived as the town is besieged by aggressive birds causing chaos and destruction among the residents. As if dealing with these menacing birds wasn’t enough, Melanie must navigate through Mitch’s overbearing mother Lydia’s misogyny, and the complicated relationship between Mitch, his sister Cathy, and Annie, Cathy’s teacher. It seems like a battle between man and beast, and it remains uncertain who will ultimately emerge victorious.

In the film “The Birds,” although it was made many years ago and most of its leading actors have since passed away, there are two stars from the original cast who are still alive today. Learn more to discover who from the main cast of “The Birds” is still living.

Tippi Hedren

In her autobiography, “Tippi: A Memoir,” and a 2012 documentary called “The Girl,” Tippi Hedren disclosed that her stardom in the film “The Birds” under Alfred Hitchcock’s direction solidified him as his preferred blonde. However, her fame came at a cost – Hitchcock’s controlling behavior and unwanted attention. Despite this, she portrayed the main character in “Marnie.” Yet, according to her account, Hitchcock’s sexual harassment forced her to struggle for freedom from both his influence and contractual obligations.

After experiencing a career slump, Hedren found solace in another interest – big cats and wildlife preservation. This passion eventually led her to star in the film “Roar,” known as “the most hazardous movie ever produced.” Despite its dangerous nature, this project became a significant part of her life. She continued acting until 2017.

During the 1960s, she gained widespread recognition as a humanitarian and played a significant role in assisting many Vietnamese Americans transition into the nail technician profession, earning her the nickname “The Matriarch of the Vietnamese Nail Industry.” She is also the founder and overseer of the Roar Foundation, which manages the Shambala Preserve. This sanctuary specializes in providing care for big cats and other rescued wildlife previously housed in circuses and similar settings. Additionally, she is the matriarch of a well-known acting family; her daughter is Melanie Griffith, and her granddaughter is Dakota Johnson.

Though Tippi Hedren hasn’t publicly declared her retirement from acting, it appears she is battling dementia. Consequently, her career path moving forward is unclear, but on a positive note, she seems to be enjoying a content and peaceful life surrounded by her loved ones.

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Veronica Cartwright

By the time Veronica Cartwright donned Cathy’s penny loafers, she had already demonstrated her versatility in Hollywood. Her breakout role was as the antithesis of sweet Cathy, Rosalie Wells, in “The Children’s Hour,” where her lies about the teachers led to their downfall. Following her performance in “The Birds,” Cartwright made appearances in “Spencer’s Mountain” and “One Man’s Way.” After a hiatus of ten years, she reemerged to take on adult roles.

She made quite a name for herself in the horror world; she’s Nancy in the 1979 remake of “Invasion of the Bodysnatchers” and followed that up by essaying the part of Lambert in “Alien,” a character who is much more important than you realize. She also appeared in the astronaut drama “The Right Stuff,” as mom Helen in “Flight of the Navigator,” and the puritan scold Felicia Alden in “The Witches of Eastwick,” which is set to be remade.

On TV, she frequently reappeared in two distinct roles on “Leave it to Beaver”, played Assistant District Attorney Margaret Flanagan on “L.A. Law”, portrayed Cassandra Spender on “The X-Files” and Peg Kimmel on “Six Feet Under”. She’s still an active figure in the industry, leaving a substantial impact behind her.

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2024-09-20 04:00