Alexandra Bastedo

Infobox actor
name = Alexandra Bastedo


birthplace = Hove, East Sussex, England
birthdate = birth date and age|df=yes|1946|3|9|

Alexandra Bastedo (born 9 March 1946) is a British actress.

Best known for her role as super-powered secret agent Sharron Macready in the 1968 British espionage/science fiction adventure series "The Champions", Bastedo was regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses of the 1960s.

She was born in Hove, East Sussex, England. According to her official website, her mother is of French, German, and Italian descent. Her Canadian-born father is of Spanish, Dutch, Scottish and native Indian extraction. Her husband isthe director Patrick Garland, noted for his direction of the Chichester festival.

Bastedo gained fame in the continent earning her the nickname "La Bastedo". Although most familiar to viewers of 1960s TV, she was also famed for her multilingual skills, speaking Italian, Spanish, French and German. This skill brought her to the door of 10 Downing Street to assist with translations and landed her the role of co-presenter of Miss World competitions with Peter Marshall in the 1980s. In the early 1990s she appeared in an episode of "Absolutely Fabulous" playing a 1960s model associate of Edina and Patsy.

During a recent interview on the BBC television series "Where Are They Now?" Bastedo provided a glimpse into her private life. She is the president of her local RSPCA Branch, and her home is practically an animal sanctuary of its own. She spoke of the 1960s with fondness but mentioned a near nervous breakdown owing to the pressures of international stardom.

Bastedo has also written her autobiography, "Beware Dobermanns, Donkeys and Ducks" and several books on caring for cats & dogs. She has a blog on her website which is updated with the latest in her acting work and animal sanctualry.

In 2006 Bastedo was reunited for the first time with her co-stars from "The Champions" to provide commentaries and an interview for a DVD release of the show.

She is still an active actress, recently appearing in "Batman Begins", and touring theatres in 2006 with a production of "Beyond Reasonable Doubt" alongside Leslie Grantham and Simon Ward. In 2008 she joined the cast of "EastEnders" playing a character called Cynthia. [http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=60s-sexbomb-in-square%26method=full%26objectid=20607232%26siteid=93463-name_page.html] [http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/08/28/exclusive-60s-star-alexandra-bastedo-is-new-eastender-115875-20714748/]

Bibliography

* Alexandra Bastedo, "Beware dobermanns, donkeys and ducks" (Parkwest: Robson Books, 1998).
* Alexandra Bastedo and Jeannie Kemnitzer, "Canine Care and Cuisine: The Healthy Dog Book" (Parkwest: Robson Books, 2000).
* Alexandra Bastedo and Jeannie Kemnitzer, "The Healthy Cat Book: Feline Care and Cuisine" (Parkwest: Robson Books, 2000).
* Alexandra Bastedo and Jeannie Kemnitzer, "The Healthy Dog Book" (Parkwest: Robson, 2002).

Filmography

* "13 Frightened Girls" (1963)
* "The Liquidator" (1966)
* "That Riviera Touch" (1966)
* "The Haunted Man" (1966)
* "The Head Waiter" (1966) (TV)
* "Casino Royale" (1967)
* "The Champions" (1968) (TV series)
* "A Promise of Bed" (1969)
* "I Can't... I Can't" (1969)
* "Tibetana" (1970)
* "Codename" (1970) (TV series)
* "My Lover My Son" (1970)
* "La Novia Ensangrentada" (1972)
* "Odio mi cuerpo" (1974)
* "Tu dios y mi infierno" (1975)
* "The Ghoul" (1975)
* "El Clan de los Nazarenos" (1975)
* "The Man Inside" (1976)
* "Find the Lady" (1976)
* "El Mirón" (1977)
* "Cabo de vara" (1978)
* "The Aphrodite Inheritance" (1979) (mini series)
* "A Choice of Two" (1981)
* "Estigma" (1982)
* "Legend of the Champions" (1983) (TV)
* "Draw!" (1984) (TV)
* "La Veritat oculta" (1987)
* "Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Not!" (1998)
* "Batman Begins" (2005)
*"EastEnders"(2008-2009)

Trivia

The Smiths used a photograph of Bastedo on the cover of their live album "Rank".

References

* [http://www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk Official Alexandra Bastedo Champions Animal Sanctuary site]
* [http://www.alexandra-bastedo.com/index.html The Official Alexandra Bastedo Website]
* [http://www.tv.com/alexandra-bastedo/person/16648/biography.html Biography at TV.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0060406/ IMDB Entry]
* [http://www.thechampionsfan.homestead.com/ Champions Fan website]