Alexandra Bastedo Biography

Fast Facts

• Served as the president of her local Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals branch until she gave up the position to focus on the animal sanctuary she ran at her home
• Was a patron to such animal welfare organizations as Compassion in World Farming, Wildlife Aid Foundation, National Animal Welfare Trust, Greyhounds in Need and Naturewatch
• Founded the ABC Animal Sanctuary where she rescued and found homes for many at-risk animals
• Married theatre producer and director Patrick Garland in 1980, and the two remained married until his death in 2013
• Columbia Pictures discovered her when she was 16, but after completing a horror film called "The Candy Web" and receiving offer from Hollywood agents and Alfred Hitchcock, he parents insisted she return to school
• Loved animals as a child, and originally wanted to be a veterinarian
• Best known for her role in the 1960s science fiction television series "The Champions," which made her a household name in England, Scotland and Wales
• Wrote a memoir called "Beware Dobermanns, Donkeys and Ducks," which was published in 1998
• Due to her international stardom, she learned to speak Spanish, Italian and French in addition to her native English
• Wrote several books about animal care including "Canine Care and Cuisine: The Healthy Dog Book" and "The Healthy Cat Book: Feline Care and Cuisine․"