Virginia McKenna
Biography
Dame Virginia Anne McKenna, DBE, is a British stage and screen actress, author, activist, and wildlife campaigner. Born on June 7, 1931, in London, England, she has accumulated 71 known credits in acting on the platform. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Cruel Sea, A Town Like Alice, Carve Her Name with Pride, Born Free, and Ring of Bright Water. In addition to her acting career, she is known for her work with The Born Free Foundation, as well as her efforts as an animal rights activist and conservation campaigner.
Career overview
Dame Virginia Anne McKenna was born in London, England, UK, on June 7, 1931. She is a British actress, author, activist, and wildlife campaigner. Her career encompasses work in both stage and screen productions.
As a screen actress, she is best known for her performances in several notable feature films. Her well-known film credits include The Cruel Sea from 1953, A Town Like Alice from 1956, and Carve Her Name with Pride from 1958. She is also widely recognized for her roles in the films Born Free, released in 1966, and Ring of Bright Water, released in 1969. In addition to these cinematic works, her acting credits extend to appearances in Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, Slečna Marplová, and Volání divočiny.
Alongside her acting career, she has been involved in wildlife conservation and animal rights activism, notably working with The Born Free Foundation. Her professional background includes 71 known credits in the entertainment industry.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Virginia McKenna.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
79 titles- Wings (2020) as Dora
- Widow's Walk (2019) as Myrtle
- Ethel & Ernest (2016) as Lady of the House (voice)
- Golden Years (2016) as Martha
- Leona Calderon (2013)
- Hello: A Portrait Of Leslie Phillips (2013) as Self
- Love/Loss (2010) as Mary
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Belle Goedler
- After They Were Famous (2002) as Self
- Richard & Judy (2001) as Self
- The Whistle-Blower (2001) as Theresa Elliot
- Sliding Doors (1998) as James' Mother
- The Scold's Bridle (1998) as Violet Orloff
- Noel's Telly Years (1996)
- September (1996) as Violet
- Rosamunde Pilcher: September (1996) as Violet
- Kavanagh Q.C. (1995) as Alice Aldermarten
- Staggered (1994) as Flora
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- The Camomile Lawn (1992) as Polly (older)
- Duel of Hearts (1992) as Lady Brecon
- The Lady in Waiting (1992) as Miss Peach
- Have a Nice Night (1990) as Jennifer Warrenton
- The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987) as Milborough Lang
- The Cook Report (1987)
- Lovejoy (1986) as Harriet Fisher
- Sharing Time (1984) as Phoebe
- The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984) as Annabel Flack
- Puccini (1984) as Elvira
- Natural World (1983) as Participant
- Waters of the Moon (1983) as Mrs. Whyte
- The Case of the Frightened Lady (1983) as Lady Lebanon Amersham
- Blood Link (1982) as Woman in Ballroom
- Julius Caesar (1979) as Portia
- Holocaust 2000 (1977) as Eva Caine
- The Disappearance (1977) as Catherine
- Peter Pan (1976) as Mrs. Darling
- Beauty and the Beast (1976) as Lucy
- Shades of Greene (1975) as Mary
- The Gathering Storm (1974) as Clemmie Churchill
- Swallows and Amazons (1974) as Mrs. Walker
- The Dragon's Opponent (1973) as Margaret - Countess of Suffolk
- The Edwardians (1972) as Frances Evelyn 'Daisy' Greville
- The Lion at World's End (1971)
- Waterloo (1970) as Duchess of Richmond
- Ring of Bright Water (1969) as Mary MacKenzie
- An Elephant Called Slowly (1969) as Ginny
- The Lions Are Free (1969)
- The Admirable Crichton (1968) as Lady Mary
- Half Hour Story (1967) as Ann
- Mystery and Imagination (1966) as Alice Oke
- Born Free (1966) as Joy Adamson
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Adela Quested
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Fraulein von Bernburg
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Mary Stuart
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Hester
- A Passage to India (1965) as Adela Quested
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Two Living, One Dead (1961) as Helen Berger
- The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) as Janet Taggart
- Carve Her Name with Pride (1958) as Violette Szabo
- Storm Over Jamaica (1958) as Judy Waring
- The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) as Jean Spenser
- The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957) as Henrietta Barrett
- A Town Like Alice (1956) as Jean Paget
- The Ship That Died of Shame (1955) as Helen Randall
- Simba (1955) as Mary Crawford
- Romeo and Juliet (1955) as Juliet Capulet
- The Cruel Sea (1953) as Julie Hallam
- The Oracle (1953) as Shelagh
- Father's Doing Fine (1952) as Catherine
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lady Mary
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lucy
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mrs. Darling
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Clementine Churchill
- Sunday Night Theatre (1950) as Juliet
- Sunday Night Theatre (1950) as Captain Janine Mayhew
- Echoes of Camusfearna as Narrator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Virginia McKenna best known for?
Virginia McKenna is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Agatha Christie's Marple (2004), Richard & Judy (2001), Sliding Doors (1998), Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988).
When and where was Virginia McKenna born?
Virginia McKenna was born on June 7, 1931 in London, England, UK.
How many credits does Virginia McKenna have?
Virginia McKenna has accumulated over 79 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2020.
What is Virginia McKenna's background in cinema and television?
Dame Virginia Anne McKenna, DBE, is a British stage and screen actress, author, activist, and wildlife campaigner. Born on June 7, 1931, in London, England, she has accumulated 71 known credits in acting on the platform. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Cruel Sea, A Town Like Alice, Carve Her Name w...
Virginia McKenna by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lady Mary — aged about 20
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lucy — aged about 20
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Mrs. Darling — aged about 20
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Clementine Churchill — aged about 20
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Belle Goedler — aged about 73
- Lovejoy (1986) as Harriet Fisher — aged about 55
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Virginia McKenna.