Tippi Hedren, 96, Makes Rare Public Appearance to Celebrate Birthday

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Tippi Hedren, famous for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, recently turned 96 and celebrated with a visit to her daughter Melanie Griffith’s home in Los Angeles. She was photographed arriving, with her grandson Alexander Bauer helping to support her.

Tippi Hedren began the evening in a sophisticated black embroidered jacket, but later changed into a cozy patterned sweater as she left, appearing cheerful and relaxed.

Tippi Hedren celebrated her 96th birthday with a loving family dinner, and honestly, her sweater is amazing!

— 𝔻𝕖𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕙 🥃🖊️ (@DADiClementi) January 21, 2026

This news follows reports from earlier in 2024 that actress Tippi Hedren is living with dementia. The Daily Mail reported that, according to her representatives, Hedren has lost all memory of her acting career, which is why she’s stopped doing interviews and public appearances.

Even with everything she’s going through, her family continues to share positive updates about her strength and good spirits. For example, on her birthday, Griffith shared a video of her mother blowing out candles, describing her as healthy and full of life. She also wrote that her mother is happy, healthy, and spirited!

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Tippi Hedren became a major Hollywood star after being discovered by Alfred Hitchcock in a TV commercial. She famously played the lead role in his 1963 horror film, The Birds, and won a Golden Globe award. Her performance in the 1964 thriller Marnie further established her as a memorable figure in film.

Tippi Hedren’s career includes her courageous decision to speak out about abuse. In her 2016 memoir, she revealed that Alfred Hitchcock harassed and assaulted her after she turned down his romantic advances. She described instances of him having her watched and even physically attacking her in a car.

Dakota Johnson, the actress and granddaughter of the woman in question, has publicly discussed this difficult past, faulting the film industry for protecting Alfred Hitchcock from the consequences of his actions. Johnson stated that Hitchcock effectively ended her grandmother’s career because she refused his advances and that he subjected her to harassment. Despite this, she emphasized that her grandmother always maintained her integrity and courageously defended her own principles, even though she faced no repercussions for his behavior.

Tippi Hedren is well known for her work as an actress, but she’s also spent a significant part of her life advocating for animal rights. She established the Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve, an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in California that provides a home for big cats. While she’s largely retired from acting – her last role was in 2018 – she continues to make an impact through her activism and the accomplishments of her family. Her daughter, Melanie Griffith, and granddaughter, Dakota Johnson, both continue her tradition of bravery, self-reliance, and speaking out for what’s right.

Seeing Tippi Hedren turn 96 really got me thinking about what an incredible life she’s led. Beyond giving us those unforgettable performances in films like The Birds and Marnie, she’s dedicated so much energy to animal conservation. It’s a story of real strength and perseverance, and her impact on Hollywood – and the world, honestly – is still felt today.

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2026-01-26 11:44