Barbara Leigh Hunt is a film, television and stage actress who appeared in numerous movie roles throughout the middle of the twentieth century and, as of early 2007, continues to work on guest parts on television.
Barbara Leigh Hunt was born in Bath, England in 1935. She became interested in acting at a young age, making her first appearances on stage during high school. Primarily a Shakespearean and stage actor from her early days, Barbara Leigh Hunt worked extensively throughout Europe and the United States in Shakespearean productions, which ultimately led to her being offered work in films. One of her most famous film roles was in 1972 as the victim of a graphic murder in the Alfred Hitchcock film "Frenzy". This is possibly the most grisly murder scene in any Alfred Hitchcock film. Her film appearances have been somewhat sporadic (noteworthy films she has appeared in besides "Frenzy" include 1990's "Paper Mask" and 2000's "Billy Elliott"), but she has been a frequent television actress and stage actress for her entire career since. Television shows that Barbara Leigh Hunt has appeared on include "Love's Labours Lost", "The Search for the Nile", "The Brontes of Haworth", "Wagner", "Echo", "As Time Goes By", "A Perfect Hero", "Tumbledown", and "Ruth Rendell Mysteries". She has appeared in stage inspired television shows such as "Thirty-Minute Theatre" and "Play of the Month". Most of her numerous television appearances have been guest parts for single episodes, but she is also well known for her appearance as Lady Catherine in the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice".
Since 1967, Barbara Leigh Hunt has been married to actor Richard Pasco. In 1993 she received the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She is also the godmother of the internationally famous actress Dame Judi Dench. As of early 2007, Barbara Leigh Hunt continues to act in television and film.