Rula Lenska

Rula Lenska

Born: September 30, 1947
in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rula Lenska (born Róża Maria Leopoldyna Łubieńska, 30 September 1947) is an English-Polish actress. She mainly appears in British stage and television productions, but is known in the United States for a series of commercials for Alberto VO5 hairspray in the late-1970s and early-1980s.

Lenska was born at St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, England. Her family are members of the Polish nobility, and bearers of the Pomian coat of arms. They once owned a castle and estate in Kazimierza Wielka, Poland. Her father, Major Count Ludwik Łubieński, was personal secretary to Józef Beck, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Poland before the Nazi occupation of the country. Later, he became adjutant to General Władysław Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish Government in Exile and chief of the Polish military mission in Gibraltar during World War II. Łubieński later became head of the CIA-funded Polish Section of Radio Free Europe in Germany during the Cold War. Her mother was Countess Elżbieta Tyszkiewicz who escaped from Poland during the Nazi occupation, to Italy, but was captured with her own mother and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp where they survived for two years. Lenska was educated at the Ursuline Convent School in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent.

Her big break was as Little Ladies' band member, "Q", in the British TV series Rock Follies (1976) and its sequel, Rock Follies of '77, the following year. By this time, she had renounced her title as a Polish countess.

Lenska appeared in advertisements for the hair product Alberto VO5, which were shown on US television. Though Lenska was a popular actress in the UK, she was virtually unknown in the United States. In a Tonight Show monologue broadcast after the commercials started running, Johnny Carson asked "Who the hell is Rula Lenska?" and began using Lenska's name as a running joke on his show. Around the same time, Jane Curtin played Lenska in a sketch on Saturday Night Live.

Movies for Rula Lenska...

The Winter Witch
Title: The Winter Witch
Character: Omi
Released: July 5, 2024
Type: Movie
At the behest of her boss, journalist Ingrid returns to her ancestral home when several children are found slaughtered in nearby woodland. With the village suspecting the infamous Winter Witch, together with daughter Eleanor and estranged grandmother Omi, Ingrid must uncover the truth and stop the curse of Frau Perchta once and for all.
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To the Manor Born: Britain's Best Loved Comedy
Title: To the Manor Born: Britain's Best Loved Comedy
Character: Herself/Mlle Dutoit
Released: January 27, 2024
Type: Movie
A feature-length special retrospective of one of Britain's most beloved sitcoms, with new and archival interviews and footage examining the production and enduring cultural impact of the BBC's 'To the Manor Born'.
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Alice in Terrorland
Title: Alice in Terrorland
Character: Beth
Released: December 26, 2023
Type: Movie
A recently bereaved teenage girl goes to live with her aunt in a secluded woodland house, unaware that sinister forces lurk within.
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: September 18, 2023
Type: Movie
A modern day retelling of Oscar Wilde’s cautionary tale, it follows actress Dorian as she travels to Matera to be tutored by reclusive screen icon Lady Amelia Wotton for her upcoming Broadway debut as Lady Macbeth. When Wotton asks her granddaughter Evie to photograph Dorian, the girls grow close but is their relationship as innocent as it appears to be, or is there a more sinister curse at work?
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Wolf Manor
Title: Wolf Manor
Character: Maleva
Released: August 28, 2022
Type: Movie
Shooting a vampire flick in an old, abandoned manor house should have worked like a dream, but the film crew is out of their depth, over schedule and desperate to get the shoot finished and go home. However, as the moon turns full, the nightmare begins. Blood flows and the body count rises as cast and crew meet the manor’s resident werewolf…
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The Huntress of Auschwitz
Title: The Huntress of Auschwitz
Character: Amelia Kaminska
Released: May 23, 2022
Type: Movie
A young American girl travels to Europe to track down the Nazi guard responsible for the murder of her great-grandparents.
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Jeepers Creepers
Title: Jeepers Creepers
Character: Self - Fantasy Lover (voice)
Released: October 12, 2020
Type: Movie
After twenty years as a struggling variety turn and then a prolific scriptwriter and television star, comic genius Marty Feldman found screen stardom with his very first Hollywood role in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. With his wife Lauretta as the power behind the throne, his rise and fall and decline is related through bittersweet memories of the past and intoxicated infidelities in the present.
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7 Up & Me
Title: 7 Up & Me
Character: Self
Released: June 3, 2019
Type: Movie
In celebration of the release of 63 Up, the 2019 installment of Michael Apted's groundbreaking documentary series that began in 1964, a number of British and American celebrity fans now discuss its impact on popular culture and its lasting legacy. The film also candidly explores pivotal moments of celebrities’ own lives—from school days and first loves to family and fulfilled ambitions—while tapping into changes in social history around topics such as class, education, and parenting.
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Aura
Title: Aura
Character: Ada
Released: August 7, 2018
Type: Movie
A couple discovers a Kirlian Photography apparatus in their new house. Intrigued by the concept of photographing peoples' Auras they unwittingly release an ancient evil. Only the local psychic can help and she knows far more than she reveals.
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Bait
Title: Bait
Character: Linda
Released: August 29, 2015
Type: Movie
Two women who dream of opening their own café in a work-depressed northern town go to the wrong person for a loan. Unable to meet the payment demands, the hardened duo take bloody retribution.
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Title: Inside No. 9
Character: Celia
Released: February 5, 2014
Type: TV
An anthology of darkly comic twisted tales, each one taking place behind a door marked 'number 9'.
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Jack Says
Title: Jack Says
Character: Garvey
Released: September 22, 2008
Type: Movie
Jack struggles with memory loss while he seeks revenge.
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Gypo
Title: Gypo
Character: Irina
Released: August 24, 2005
Type: Movie
Gypo is the story of a working class family in Margate, Kent, a town where immigrants have become the focus of most of the public's discontent. The film tells the story of the a couple of weeks in this family's life, beginning when a young Czech girl, Tash, comes to visit. The film is made in the Dogme95 tradition, so no costumes, no lighting, no props or sets, which gives the film a gritty texture appropriate to the story.
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Title: Ideal
Character: The Red King
Released: January 11, 2005
Type: TV
Sitcom about a small-time dope dealer and his strange collection of acquaintances.
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Title: Celebrity Big Brother
Released: March 9, 2001
Type: TV
Celebrity Big Brother is a British reality television game show in which a number of celebrity contestants live in an isolated house trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large cash prize being donated to the winner's nominated charity at the end of the run.
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Title: The Detectives
Character: Duchess
Released: January 27, 1993
Type: TV
The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.
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Title: GMTV
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1993
Type: TV
GMTV is the name of the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor/licensee, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end. The final edition of GMTV was broadcast on 3 September 2010.
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Title: Cluedo
Character: Mrs. Peacock
Released: July 25, 1990
Type: TV
Cluedo was a UK television game show based on the board game of the same name. Each week, a reenactment of the murder at the stately home Arlington Grange of a visiting guest was played and, through a combination of interrogating the suspects and deduction, celebrity guests had to discover who committed the murder, which of six weapons and in which room it was committed, whilst viewers were invited to play along at home.
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Mr. H Is Late
Title: Mr. H Is Late
Released: February 15, 1988
Type: Movie
A team of inept undertakers attempt to get a coffin to a funeral on time. An undertaker is in charge of moving a coffin from a home to the church. The home is on the 26th floor of a skyscraper; the stairs are narrow; the lift is small and prone to stop working. Chaos ensues.
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Title: Casualty
Character: Circus Owner
Released: September 6, 1986
Type: TV
Drama series about the staff and patients at Holby City Hospital's emergency department, charting the ups and downs in their personal and professional lives.
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Title: Robin of Sherwood
Character: Morgwyn of Ravenscar
Released: April 28, 1984
Type: TV
Robin of Sherwood was a British television series, based on the legend of Robin Hood. Created by Richard Carpenter, it was produced by HTV in association with Goldcrest, and ran from 1984 to 1986 on the ITV network. In America it was retitled Robin Hood and shown on the premium cable TV channel Showtime and on PBS. The show starred Michael Praed and Jason Connery as two different incarnations of the title character. Unlike previous adaptations of the Robin Hood legend, Robin of Sherwood combined a gritty, authentic production design with elements of real-life history, 20th century fiction, and pagan myth. The series is also notable for its haunting title music by Clannad, which won a BAFTA award.
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Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
Title: Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks
Character: Styles
Released: February 15, 1984
Type: Movie
Captured in a time corridor, the Doctor and his companions are forced to land on 20th century Earth, diverted by the Doctor's oldest enemy - the Daleks. It is here the true purpose of the time corridor becomes apparent: after ninety years of imprisonment, Davros, the ruthless creator of the Daleks, is to be liberated to assist in the resurrection of his army. Not even the Daleks foresee the poisonous threat of their creator. Indeed, who would suspect Davros of wanting to destroy his own Daleks - and why? Only the Doctor knows the truth. Will he descend to Davros' level of evil to stop him?
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Aubrey
Title: Aubrey
Character: Mabel Beardsley
Released: January 22, 1982
Type: Movie
A biographical portrait of pen-and-ink artist, Aubrey Beardsley.
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Title: Take a Letter, Mr. Jones
Released: September 5, 1981
Type: TV
Take a Letter, Mr. Jones was a short-lived British sitcom from Southern Television starring John Inman and Rula Lenska which aired in 1981.
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Title: Private Schulz
Character: Gertrude Steiner
Released: May 6, 1981
Type: TV
Private Schulz is a BBC television comedy drama serial set mostly in Germany, during and immediately after World War II. It stars Michael Elphick in the title role and Ian Richardson playing various parts. Other notable actors included Tony Caunter, Billie Whitelaw, Billy Murray and Mark Wingett. Over six one-hour episodes, it tells the story of a German fraudster and petty criminal who is forced against his will to serve in the SS. In a story based on the real, though unrealised, plot by the Germans known as Operation Bernhard, he tricks the Nazis into making counterfeit British five pound notes, millions of which will be used to destroy the British economy. However, Schulz is primarily interested in stealing them. Other elements of the story based on the history of the period include the Venlo incident, when two British intelligence officers were abducted from the Netherlands at the very start of the war, and Salon Kitty. This was a Berlin brothel which was secretly run by the SD, for the purpose of spying on its wealthy clients, who were often prominent German government officials or military officers. Additionally, many of the main characters are real people.
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Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery
Title: Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery
Character: Countess Radzsky
Released: March 8, 1981
Type: Movie
When two mysterious deaths mar an otherwise pleasant weekend in the English countryside, unflappable flapper Lady Eileen Brent teams up with the dashing Jimmy Thesinger to solve the dastardly deeds. Their sleuthing leads them into a world of espionage and international intrigue as they discover a secret society known as "The Seven Dials" and the attempted theft of top-secret government documents.
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An Audience with Dame Edna Everage
Title: An Audience with Dame Edna Everage
Released: December 26, 1980
Type: Movie
Dame Edna Everage takes questions from a celebrity audience about her life and career.
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Title: Minder
Character: Kate
Released: October 29, 1979
Type: TV
This comedy drama series featured Terry McCann, a former boxer with a conviction for G.B.H., and Arthur Daley, a second-hand car dealer with an eye for a nice little earner. Alongside his many business ventures, Arthur would regularly hire Terry out as a minder or bodyguard, later replaced by nephew, Ray Daley.
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Title: Minder
Character: Sandra Last
Released: October 29, 1979
Type: TV
This comedy drama series featured Terry McCann, a former boxer with a conviction for G.B.H., and Arthur Daley, a second-hand car dealer with an eye for a nice little earner. Alongside his many business ventures, Arthur would regularly hire Terry out as a minder or bodyguard, later replaced by nephew, Ray Daley.
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Title: Minder
Character: Natasha
Released: October 29, 1979
Type: TV
This comedy drama series featured Terry McCann, a former boxer with a conviction for G.B.H., and Arthur Daley, a second-hand car dealer with an eye for a nice little earner. Alongside his many business ventures, Arthur would regularly hire Terry out as a minder or bodyguard, later replaced by nephew, Ray Daley.
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Jesus
Title: Jesus
Character: Herodias (scenes deleted)
Released: October 19, 1979
Type: Movie
Three and a half years of Jesus' ministry, as told in the Gospel of Luke.
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Design for Living
Title: Design for Living
Character: Gilda
Released: May 6, 1979
Type: Movie
Design for Living presents a trio of neurotic but intensely artistic characters: Gilda, Otto and Leo. Set in Paris, Otto and Leo both fall in love with Gilda. She cannot make up her mind which man she loves, so the three decide to live together in a platonic friendship. Among Coward's trademark sparkling wit, the play explores deeper themes including infidelity, the pressures of fame on an unstable mind, and morality (or immorality) of a menage a trois.
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The New Media Bible: The Gospel According to St. Luke
Title: The New Media Bible: The Gospel According to St. Luke
Character: Herodias
Released: January 1, 1979
Type: Movie
A dramatic presentation of the Bible from (New Media Bible), and producer John Heyman. spoken word-for-word from the King James Version by the narrator, as the actors speak in original Aramaic / Hebrew, this feature brings the characters of the New Testament and their world to life. The content follows Scripture entirely with no added commentary or embellishment. As you see the people, places, and events of The Bible come to life, you will gain new understanding and appreciation for Scripture.
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Title: Return of the Saint
Character: Diana Lang
Released: September 10, 1978
Type: TV
Follow the swashbuckling exploits of Simon Templar, a modern-day Robin Hood of sorts.
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Queen Kong
Title: Queen Kong
Character: Luce Habit
Released: December 10, 1976
Type: Movie
A female film crew journeys to Africa where a giant ape, Queen Kong, falls in love with the crew's male star.
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It Could Happen to You
Title: It Could Happen to You
Character: Rita
Released: November 11, 1976
Type: Movie
An educational film about the perils associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The drama is interspersed with scenes of a medical adviser directly addressing the camera giving advice and information about STDs.
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The Deadly Females
Title: The Deadly Females
Character: Luisa
Released: November 1, 1976
Type: Movie
Toothsome Tracy Reed (remember her in Dr. Strangelove and A Shot in the Dark?) heads the cast of Deadly Females. The ladies in question are female assassins, specializing in knocking off lascivious males. Like the proverbial black widow spider, the girls lure their victims with promises of sexual favors, then strike when said victims are exhausted. Naturally, this requires plenty of exposed female flesh.
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Title: Rock Follies
Released: February 24, 1976
Type: TV
Rock Follies, and its sequel, Rock Follies of '77, was a musical drama shown on British television in the 1970s. The storyline, over 12 episodes and two series, followed the ups and downs of a fictional female rock band called the "Little Ladies" as they struggled for recognition and success. The series starred Rula Lenska, Charlotte Cornwell and Julie Covington as the Little Ladies, with support from Emlyn Price, Beth Porter, Sue Jones-Davies, Stephen Moore and Little Nell among others. The series was made with a very low budget for Thames Television, with a style inspired by fringe theatre. The series was a success, winning three BAFTA Awards and the soundtrack album reaching No.1 in the UK Charts.
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Amazing Stories
Title: Amazing Stories
Character: Ms Fandom
Released: February 1, 1976
Type: Movie
Weird tale of a sci fi convention and a family who are apparently being taken over by vegetables.
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Royal Flash
Title: Royal Flash
Character: Helga
Released: October 10, 1975
Type: Movie
Cowardly rogue Harry Flashman's (Malcolm McDowell) schemes to gain entry to the royal circles of 19th-century Europe go nowhere until he meets a pair of devious nobles with their own agenda. At their urging, Flashman agrees to re-create himself as a bogus Prussian nobleman to woo a beautiful duchess. But the half-baked plan quickly comes unraveled, and he's soon on the run from several new enemies who are all calling for the rapscallion's head.
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Title: Space: 1999
Character: Joan Conway
Released: September 4, 1975
Type: TV
The crew of Moonbase Alpha must struggle to survive when a massive explosion throws the Moon from orbit into deep space.
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Alfie Darling
Title: Alfie Darling
Character: Louise
Released: July 17, 1975
Type: Movie
Alfie meets his romantic match when the modern-day Casanova falls in love with a career woman. Alfie soon realises that Abby, a magazine editor, is just as romantically ruthless as he is.
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Confessions of a Pop Performer
Title: Confessions of a Pop Performer
Character: Receptionist
Released: January 1, 1975
Type: Movie
Either you've got it or you haven't - some like randy young Timothy Lea (Robin Askwith), manage to get it all the time! Signing up with a pop group, our boisterous hero progresses rapidly from local gigs to scoring a titillating hit with The Climax Sisters, with plenty of ribald adventures along the way!
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Soft Beds, Hard Battles
Title: Soft Beds, Hard Battles
Character: Louise
Released: January 24, 1974
Type: Movie
In this comedy, set during the Nazi occupation of France, Peter Sellers plays most major male parts, so he stars in nearly every scene, always bumbling in inspector Clouseau-style.
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Title: Doctor Who
Character: Styles
Released: November 23, 1963
Type: TV
The adventures of The Doctor, a time-traveling humanoid alien known as a Time Lord. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-traveling spaceship. Its exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. Along with a succession of companions, The Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilizations, help ordinary people, and right many wrongs.
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Oh, Little Spark!
Title: Oh, Little Spark!
Character: Janina/Babcia
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
During a weekend together, a grandson's obsession with his Polish grandmother's wartime memories causes a rift in their relationship as a tragic secret is revealed and they must confront the finality of death and the legacy of those traumas.