Biography
Felicity Kendal OBE became a household name almost overnight after she landed the lead role of Barbara Good in the hugely successful 1970s Ö÷²¥´óÐã sitcom The Good Life.
She is still remembered for the role today but has had a number of other hits under her belt such as Solo, The Mistress, Rosemary & Thyme and most recently in the hugely popular revival of family favourite Doctor Who.
Career
At first, Felicity struggled for a number of years trying to pursue her acting career. However she finally got her mainstream break in 1975 when she was cast in The Good Life.
The show was a huge hit, attracting over 17 million viewers at its peak. Felicity became an overnight sex symbol with her tomboy character, dungarees and wellies.
"When I look at The Good Life sometimes... the thing that I find weird is this slightly 1940s accent I’ve got. It doesn’t belong anywhere."
Despite her TV success, Felicity focused mainly on theatre. She appeared in Ayckburn's The Norman Conquests which won her the Variety Club Best Newcomer Award. She would later go on to win the Variety Club Best Actress of the Year Award in 1979 for her role in Clouds.
Other theatre productions include Fallen Angels at the Apollo Theatre, Humble Boy in which she co-starred with Simon Russell-Beale and a role in Amya's View, directed by Sir Peter Hall at The Garrick.
In 2008, Felicity starred opposite David Tennant in Doctor Who as a character named Lady Eddison, whose country house Agatha Christie was visiting.
Background
Felicity was born in Warwickshire, England but raised in India where her parents ran a classical travelling theatre company.
She made her stage debut at 9 months old as a changeling in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
She has two grown up sons; Charley from her first marriage to Drewe Henley, and Jacob from her second marriage with theatre director Michael Rudman.
As an infant she grew up doing backstage chores and appearing as Shakespearean boys.
Felicity married Rudman in 1983 and converted to Judaism. Several years later she divorced him and in 1991 started a very public relationship with Tom Stoppard. However after 7 years, their relationship came to an end and Felicity returned to Rudman in 1998. They are still together.
Trivia
Her autobiography, White Cargo, was published in 1998 and written for her father.
She was appointed a CBE in 1995 for services to drama.
She won the title 'Rear of the Year' in 1981.
Kendal posed naked for Esquire magazine at 50 and is immensely proud of the pictures; for her surgery is a no-no.
Despite her youthful complexion she fiercely denies that she has ever had surgery — "I really wouldn't. You can't have a frozen face; you've got to have expression for stage acting."
Height 5'2"
When she turned 63 she decided she would get her first ever tattoo — on her foot as it is a part of the body that doesn't get "too wrinkly."
Are you a fan of Felicity and Vincent?
Why not join in the discussion at Felicity & Vincent's Blog page - the home of ""!
Dancing partner
Felicity Kendal will be dancing with Vincent Simone.
