Felicity Kendal, a renowned British actress, initially gained recognition for her "cute" roles, but has since established herself as a versatile and formidable performer in a wide range of parts.
Born in England, Felicity was raised in India, where her parents, Geoffrey Kendal and Laura Liddell, toured the nation for decades with their traveling classical theatre troupe, Shakespeareana. As a young child, Felicity first appeared on stage and grew up doing backstage chores and filling in on stage as boys or various supernumeraries.
She attended whatever convent school was immediately convenient and, by her teenage years, was already appearing in important Shakespearean roles. Family friends, James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, featured Felicity in their fictional film, Shakespeare-Wallah (1965),which was based on the Kendal troupe and gave her the leading role.
After returning to England following the film, Felicity struggled for several years to secure consistent work. However, she eventually appeared on television alongside John Gielgud and was subsequently given the role that made her famous, Barbara Good, in the TV series, The Good Life (1975),which revolved around a couple who decides to live off the land in their decidedly suburban home.
Felicity went on to create roles in numerous plays by Tom Stoppard, with whom she had a highly publicized affair, and continued to work tirelessly in Shakespearean productions, including a memorable performance as Viola in a BBC production of Twelfth Night (1980). She continues to perform regularly in London's West End.
Throughout her illustrious career, Felicity has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the world of theatre. In 1995, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and, in 1999, published her memoirs, "White Cargo."
