Barbara Shelley
Biography
Barbara Shelley was an English film and television actress who worked in more than a hundred productions and was best known for horror. Born in Marylebone, London, she took up modeling in 1951 after her acting teacher suggested it would build her confidence, and the work led to a minor part in the Hammer film Mantrap in 1953, credited as Barbara Kowin. She then spent four years in Rome making nine Italian films, and returned to Britain in 1957 for Cat Girl (1957). Her horror credits included The Camp on Blood Island (1958), Blood of the Vampire (1958), Village of the Damned (1960), Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966) and Quatermass and the Pit (1967). Hammer made her its top female performer and she was called the Queen of Hammer. On television she appeared in Danger Man, The Avengers, Doctor Who and EastEnders, and she acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company between 1975 and 1977.
88years old at death
- Born Marylebone
- Died London
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Also credited as Barbra Kowin, Barbra T. Kowin, Barbara Kowin and Barbara T. Kowin
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 11 years1956 to 1967
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First role
Shelley started modeling in 1951, and this led to a small part in the 1953 Hammer Film Productions movie Mantrap, playing a fashion show commentator. For that film she used her birth name, Barbara Kowin.
About the name
While on holiday in Rome, Shelley met the Italian comic actor Walter Chiari, who saw her talent and told her to take the name of his favorite poet, Shelley.
Languages
Shelley planned a month's holiday but ended up living in Rome for four years. There she appeared in nine Italian films and spoke Italian.
Barbara Shelley movies on Netflix
Five Million Years to Earthas Barbara Judd
Dracula: Prince of Darknessas Helen Kent
Rasputin: The Mad Monkas Sonia
The Shadow of the Catas Beth Venable
Village of the Damnedas Anthea Zellaby
Blood of the Vampireas Madeleine
The Camp on Blood Islandas Kate Keiller
Cat Girlas Leonora Johnson / Leonora Brandt
Totò, Peppino e i fuorileggeas Baronessa
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Twelve actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.







Films together
Christopher Lee2 films together, 1966
Christopher Lee's page Dracula: Prince of Darkness1966IMDb rating 6.6Shelley as Helen KentLee as Count Dracula
Rasputin: The Mad Monk1966IMDb rating 6.2Shelley as SoniaLee as Grigori Rasputin
Michael Ripper2 films together, 1958 to 1966
Michael Ripper's page Rasputin: The Mad Monk1966IMDb rating 6.2Shelley as SoniaRipper as Waggonervoice
The Camp on Blood Island1958IMDb rating 6.6Shelley as Kate KeillerRipper as Japanese driver
André Morell2 films together, 1958 to 1961
André Morell's page The Shadow of the Cat1961IMDb rating 6.3Shelley as Beth VenableMorell as Walter Venable
The Camp on Blood Island1958IMDb rating 6.6Shelley as Kate KeillerMorell as Col. Lambert
Andrew Keir2 films together, 1966 to 1967
Andrew Keir's page Five Million Years to Earth1967IMDb rating 7.0Shelley as Barbara JuddKeir as Prof. Bernard Quatermass
Dracula: Prince of Darkness1966IMDb rating 6.6Shelley as Helen KentKeir as Father Sandor
Bryan Marshall2 films together, 1966 to 1967
Bryan Marshall's page Five Million Years to Earth1967IMDb rating 7.0Shelley as Barbara JuddMarshall as Captain Potter
Rasputin: The Mad Monk1966IMDb rating 6.2Shelley as SoniaMarshall as Vasily
Thomas Heathcote2 films together, 1960 to 1967
Thomas Heathcote's page Five Million Years to Earth1967IMDb rating 7.0Shelley as Barbara JuddHeathcote as Vicar
Village of the Damned1960IMDb rating 7.3Shelley as Anthea ZellabyHeathcote as James Pawle
Also two films together6 more actors
- Francis MatthewsDracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) and Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)
- John StuartVillage of the Damned (1960) and Blood of the Vampire (1958)
- Michael GwynnVillage of the Damned (1960) and The Camp on Blood Island (1958)
- Suzan FarmerDracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) and Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)
- Edwin RichfieldFive Million Years to Earth (1967) and The Camp on Blood Island (1958)
- Richard WarnerThe Shadow of the Cat (1961) and Village of the Damned (1960)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


