Who is Jenny Agutter? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In December

Also Known As: Jennifer Ann Agutter

Age: 71 Years, 71 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Johan Tham (m. 1990)

father: Derek Brodie Agutter

mother: Catherine (née Lynam)

children: Jonathan Tham

Born Country: England

Actresses British Women

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Females

Notable Alumni: Elmhurst School For Dance

More Facts

education: Elmhurst School For Dance

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Sagittarius Actresses

Actresses Who Are In Their 70s

Women Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Jenny Agutter was born on December 20, 1952, in Taunton, Somerset, England, to Derek Brodie Agutter and Catherine Lynam Agutter. Her father was an ex-British Army officer.

During her childhood years, she lived in Singapore, Cyprus, and Kuala Lumpur because of her father’s jobs. From the age of eight to sixteen, she attended the boarding school, ‘Elmhurst Ballet School’, in the UK.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

British Film & Theater Personalities

British Female Film & Theater Personalities

Sagittarius Women

Career

Jenny Agutter’s career in the entertainment industry began at the early age of 12 when she was cast as Asua in the drama movie ‘East of Sudan’. After being discovered while studying at the ‘Elmhurst Ballet School’, she went on to star as Ingrid Jensen in the TV series ‘The Magical World of Disney’ (1966).

Agutter then started portraying the character of Kristy Kerr in ‘The Newcomers’ (1967 – 1968). She soon followed that up with stellar performances as Roberta in the BBC mini-series ‘The Railway Children’ (1968) and the 1970 movie version.

In the 1970s, Jenny continued starring in several TV shows and movies, like ‘The Snow Goose’ (1971) and ‘The ITV Play’ (1975). She also starred in the movie ‘Walkabout’ (1971), playing her first adult role.

In the meantime, she made her journey from TV and movies to the world of theatre to gain more experience and versatility as an actress. Jenny Agutter joined the ‘National Theatre’ at the age of 21 to portray Miranda in a production of ‘The Tempest’.

Right after her stint with the ‘National Theatre’, she moved to Los Angeles, Hollywood. In 1976, she delivered two massive hits with ‘Logan’s Run’ and ‘The Eagle Has Landed’. She also starred in her ‘BAFTA’ wining role of Jill Mason in the controversial drama movie ‘Equus’ (1977).

For the next few years, she starred in movies and TV shows all across the world. In 1980, Jenny Agutter starred in the lead role in a theatre adaptation of the play ‘Hedda Gabler’. She also joined the ‘Royal Shakespeare Company’ in 1982 and starred in ‘King Lear’ and ‘Arden of Faversham’.

In 1981, she starred in the massive hit ‘An American Werewolf in London’. For the next decade, she starred in series like ‘The Twilight Zone’ (1986 – 1987) and ‘TCEX’ (1990). Agutter also had recurring roles in series like ‘The Buccaneers’ (1995) and ‘And the Beat Goes On’ (1996).

While she continued doing movies like ‘Glorious 39’ (2009), her best-known appearances were in the series, ‘Spooks’ (2002 – 2003), ‘The Invisibles’ (2008), and ‘Monday Monday’ (2009).

In 2012, she made her return to Hollywood with the Marvel blockbuster ‘The Avengers’. She portrayed a member of the World Security Council and reprised the role in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014).

In more recent times, Jenny’s portrayal of Sister Julienne in the BBC period drama ‘Call the Midwife’ (2012 – 2019) has won her several accolades.

Major Works

One of Jenny Agutter most famous roles was a Fritha in the TV movie ‘The Snow Goose’ (1971). The role earned her a ‘Primetime Emmy’ award for best-supporting actress in 1972.

She delivered one of her biggest blockbusters in ‘Logan’s Run’ (1976). The movie made a box office haul, of US $25 million and won a ‘Special Academy Award’.

In 1981, Agutter played Nurse Alex in ‘An American Werewolf in London’. Made on a budget of US $5.8 million, the movie made more than US $62 million. It also earned her a ‘Saturn Award’ (1982) nomination for best actress.

Philanthropic Works

The actress is actively associated with several charities. As a celebrity ambassador, she is involved with ‘Action for Children’, helping at-risk youth. Jenny is a patron of the disabled-led theatre company ‘GRAEae’ and ‘St Giles Trust’, etc.

Jenny Agutter is also a trustee of the ‘Cystic Fibrosis Trust’. The disease was responsible for taking the life of two of her siblings and she herself carries the genetic mutation.

Awards & Achievements

For all her contributions, she was awarded the title of ‘OBE’ or ‘Order of the British Empire’, in 2012.

Family & Personal Life

Jenny Agutter fell in love with Swedish hotelier, Johan Tham, and married him on August 4, 1990. They are still married and have a son named Jonathan Agutter (born December 25, 1990).

Jenny Agutter Biography