Felicity Kendal Biography: Felicity Ann Kendal CBE, born on September 25, 1946, is a renowned English actress known primarily for her work in television and theatre. With a career spanning over 70 years, she gained fame for her role as Barbara Good in the beloved TV series The Good Life, which aired from 1975 to 1977. Although Kendal was born in Olton, England, her family moved to India when she was seven years old. Her father, an English actor-manager, led his own repertory company in India, where Kendal performed in various roles both before and after returning to England. She appeared in the film Shakespeare Wallah (1965), which drew inspiration from her family’s experiences. Kendal began her television career with Love Story in 1966 and made her London stage debut in Minor Murder (1967) at the Savoy Theatre. She was invited to join The Good Life while performing.
Felicity Kendal Biography 2025
Felicity Ann Kendal CBE is an English actress, working principally in television and theatre. She has appeared in numerous stage and screen roles over a more than 70-year career, including as Barbara Good in the television series The Good Life from 1975 to 1977.
Born: 25 September 1946 (age 78 years), Olton, United Kingdom
Spouse: Michael Rudman (m. 1983–1990), Drewe Henley (m. 1968–1979)
Partner: Michael Rudman (1998–)
Children: Charley Henley, Jacob Rudman
Height: 1.5 m
Parents: Geoffrey Kendal, Laura Liddell
Felicity Kendal Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
25 September 1946 (age 78)
Olton, Warwickshire, England
|
| Occupation |
Actress |
| Years active |
1947–present |
| Spouses |
-
Drewe Henley
(m. 1968; div. 1979)
-
Michael Rudman
(m. 1983; div. 1990)
|
| Partner(s) |
Tom Stoppard (1991–1998)
Michael Rudman (1998; died. 2023) |
| Children |
2, including Charley Henley |
| Parents |
- Geoffrey Kendal (father)
- Laura Liddell (mother)
|
| Relatives |
Jennifer Kendal (sister) |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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Early Life
Felicity Ann Kendal was born in Olton, Warwickshire, England, in 1946. She is the younger daughter of Laura Liddell and actor-manager Geoffrey Kendal, with her older sister, Jennifer, also pursuing a career in acting. After spending her early years in Birmingham, Kendal’s family relocated to India when she was seven, where her father led a touring repertory company performing a variety of plays, including works by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Throughout their travels, Kendal attended six different Loreto College convent schools in India until the age of 13. At 17, she contracted typhoid fever in Calcutta. Kendal made her stage debut with her family’s company at just nine months old, carried on stage as a changeling boy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Her family’s experiences inspired the Merchant Ivory film Shakespeare Wallah (1965), which tells the story of British actors performing Shakespeare in post-colonial India. Kendal played Lizzie Buckingham, the daughter of the company’s actor-managers, who finds herself torn between her family’s theatrical ambitions and her personal aspirations. The film received positive reviews, with critics praising Kendal’s performance, particularly for her portrayal of Ophelia in an excerpt from Hamlet.
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About
Veteran English actress who became known for her ’70s role as Barbara Good on The Good Life.
Before Fame
She acted in her first London stage production, Minor Murder, in 1967.
Trivia
She has also had recurring roles in Rosemary & Thyme and Honey for Tea.
Family Life
Her second marriage to Michael Rudman ended in 1990 after an unsuccessful first marriage to Drewe Henley.
Associated With
She co-starred with Chris Rea in the UK comedy Parting Shots.
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Felicity Kendal Net Worth and Salary 2025
| Felicity Kendal |
Amount |
| Estimated Net Worth |
$5 million |
| Annual Salary |
$300,000 – $500,000 |
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Felicity Kendal Salary Breakdown
| Source |
Average Earnings |
| Television Roles |
$150,000 per series |
| Theatre Productions |
$30,000 – $100,000 |
| Public Speaking |
$10,000 – $20,000 |
