Tippi Hedren: Age, Lion Attack, Nickname, and Life Today

There aren’t many actresses who go from starring in a Hitchcock thriller to running a big cat sanctuary. Tippi Hedren did exactly that. At 94, she still lives among lions and tigers at Shambala Preserve in California, a far cry from the Hollywood sets where she made her name. This article takes a close look at her age during The Birds, the lion attack that changed her life, the story behind her nickname, and what she does today.

Born: January 19, 1930 ·
Age (2025): 94 ·
Known for: The Birds (1963), Marnie (1964) ·
Daughter: Melanie Griffith ·
Occupation: Actress, animal activist ·
Foundation: Roar Foundation / Shambala Preserve

The key facts about her life and career are summarized in the table below.

How old was Tippi Hedren when she did The Birds?

Her birth date and age at release of The Birds

• Tippi Hedren was born on January 19, 1930, in New Ulm, Minnesota (Britannica (encyclopedia entry)).
• The Birds premiered on March 28, 1963. At that time Hedren had just turned 33 years old.
• Filming wrapped in late 1962, when she was 32. So she was 32–33 during the production.

Hedren was a relatively late starter in film acting. She was 31 when Hitchcock cast her, having spent the previous decade as a fashion model. Her age gave her a mature presence that contrasted with the younger starlets Hitchcock had groomed.

Casting process and age range

Hedren was discovered by Alfred Hitchcock in a television commercial for a diet drink in 1961 (VOA News (US international news service)). Hitchcock signed her to a personal contract and put her through an intense grooming period. She was 31 when she signed, older than typical new discoveries. Her age and maturity likely contributed to the complex, independent characters she played.

The implication: Her age at entry gave her a maturity that set her apart from the typical Hitchcock starlet.

What happened with Tippi Hedren and the lion?

The lion attack during filming of Roar

In 1981, Hedren was filming Roar, a feature she co-produced with then-husband Noel Marshall to raise awareness about lion conservation. On set, a lion named Neil attacked her. According to Britannica (encyclopedia entry), the lion bit her on the head and its teeth scraped her skull. She also suffered a fractured leg and required skin grafts after an elephant mishap during the same production. The film later earned the nickname “the most dangerous movie ever made” (WMNF (community public radio)).

Aftermath and activism for big cats

The lion attack deepened Hedren’s commitment to big cats rather than scaring her away. She began rescuing big cats in 1972, moved to what would become Shambala Preserve in 1976 (Britannica), and founded the Roar Foundation in 1983 (VOA News). Today Shambala Preserve is a 72-acre sanctuary in Acton, California (WMNF), home to lions, tigers, and other exotic animals.

What this means: The attack that could have ended her relationship with big cats instead deepened her commitment to protecting them.

Why was she called Tippi?

Origin of the nickname

Her father nicknamed her “Tippi” when she was a child (Britannica (encyclopedia entry)). Her birth name is Nathalie Kay Hedren. The nickname stuck and became her professional name.

How it shaped her public persona

The name “Tippi” contributed to her image as a light, approachable star — a stark contrast to the serious, brooding characters she played. It also made her instantly recognizable in headlines. She has used the name consistently in all her work, from film credits to her animal advocacy.

What is Tippi Hedren’s most famous role?

Her role in The Birds (1963)

Hedren is best known for playing Melanie Daniels in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (Britannica). The role made her an instant star and defined her as a “Hitchcock blonde.” Her performance — vulnerable yet determined — remains a benchmark in horror-thriller cinema.

Her role in Marnie (1964)

The following year she starred as Marnie Edgar in Hitchcock’s Marnie. The film was less commercially successful but has since gained a cult following. Hedren’s portrayal of a traumatized compulsive liar showcased her range and depth. It was her last film with Hitchcock.

Other notable film and TV appearances

• Roar (1981) – co-starred with Noel Marshall and dozens of big cats.
• The Bold and the Beautiful (1989-1991) – played a supporting role.
• Various TV guest spots throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

The pattern: Hedren’s most iconic roles were early in her film career, yet her later work in activism created an equally lasting legacy.

Is Tippi Hedren still alive?

Current status and age

Yes, Tippi Hedren is alive as of 2025. She is 94 years old, born January 19, 1930 (Britannica (encyclopedia entry)).

Her life today at Shambala Preserve

Hedren resides in a cottage on the grounds of Shambala Preserve in Acton, California (Shambala Preserve (official sanctuary site)). She continues as president of the Roar Foundation, overseeing the care of the sanctuary’s big cats. Her granddaughter, actress Dakota Johnson, has publicly supported her activism.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

What this means: While the major facts of Hedren’s life are well-documented, the more intimate aspects of her finances and private relationships remain under wraps. The public knows her best through her work on screen and her sanctuary.

Tippi Hedren’s story is not just about surviving The Birds or a lion’s jaws. It’s about choosing purpose over comfort. At 94, she has built a legacy that extends far beyond Hollywood. For fans of classic cinema and animal welfare alike, her life offers a powerful example: resilience is not just about enduring — it’s about redirecting that endurance into creating something lasting.

For a more detailed account, you can read Tippi Hedrens lion attack story which includes additional context about her life at Shambala Preserve.

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