Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna – Actress (F)
Biography / Gallery
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Date of Birth: 7 June 1931, London, England, UK
Spouse:
Bill Travers (1957 – 29 March 1994; his death)
Denholm Elliott (March 1954 – November 1954; divorced)
Career, Conservation & Legacy
Forget for a moment what most of us associate with Virginia McKenna and her late husband Bill Travers — the movie Born Free (1966) and the Born Free Foundation charity. Look behind these and you will find a body of film work from the 1950s and 1960s that stands the test of time. For example, Ring of Bright Water (1969) is every bit as heart-rending as the more celebrated Born Free, with Mij the Otter giving everyone a run for their money in the acting stakes! And The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) is as charming as any Ealing classic of that era, with a sweet innocence in its humour that reflects a bygone time preserved for posterity in this glittering gem.
What stands out about McKenna is her generosity as an actress, a rare quality in a world often dominated by self-indulgence. In Ring of Bright Water, she allows an otter to take centre stage; in The Smallest Show on Earth, she lets Peter Sellers, Bernard Miles, and Margaret Rutherford deliver a banquet of over-acting in perfect taste. She seems to have always put the story above personal glory, making her films enduringly special.
Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, McKenna began her career on stage in London’s West End before making her film debut in 1952. She continued to work on both stage and screen, joining the Old Vic theatre company in 1954/55. She was briefly married to actor Denholm Elliott before marrying actor Bill Travers in 1957, remaining with him until his death in 1994.
McKenna won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in 1956 for A Town Like Alice and was nominated again in 1958 for Carve Her Name With Pride. She is best remembered for Born Free, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination and launched a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation. In 1984, she co-founded what would become the Born Free Foundation, campaigning tirelessly for the protection of wild animals and their habitats.
On stage, she won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 1979 for her performance opposite Yul Brynner in The King and I. She continued to appear in films, television, and theatre, including a standout TV role as Portia in the BBC's Julius Caesar in 1979. In 2004, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to wildlife and the arts.
Recent Decades (2005–2025)
Over the past 20 years, Virginia McKenna has remained a prominent advocate for wildlife conservation. As a Trustee of the Born Free Foundation, she has supported campaigns that led to significant legal protections for animals, including bans on wild animals in travelling circuses (England, 2019) and restrictions on the ivory and wildlife trade.
In 2023, in recognition of her decades of service to wildlife and the arts, she was awarded a Damehood (DBE), honouring both her historic acting career and her ongoing impact on global conservation efforts.
Even into her 90s, McKenna continues to champion biodiversity, speak out against trophy hunting, and mentor younger generations in compassionate conservation. Her voice remains as influential as ever, proving that activism and artistry can combine to create lasting change.
Why Her Story Matters
Virginia McKenna’s life stands at the crossroads of art, activism, and empathy. From iconic film roles to tangible global conservation efforts, she has leveraged her talent and fame to make a real difference. Her story reminds us that courage, compassion, and integrity can leave a legacy that extends far beyond the screen.
Links
Photo c. belongs to the various photographers
Virginia McKenna memorabilia @ eBay UK (direct link)