Barbara Good made self-sufficiency look charming, but the woman who played her has lived a far more layered story than any sitcom script. Felicity Kendal remains one of Britain’s best-loved actresses, yet five decades of fame have stirred as many questions about her private life as applause for her work.
Born: 25 September 1946 ·
Age (2025): 78 ·
Occupation: Actress ·
Known for: The Good Life ·
Children: 2 sons
Quick snapshot
- Born 25 September 1946 (Wikipedia)
- Actress in television and theatre (BBC)
- Received a CBE in 1995 (BFI Screenonline)
- Starred in The Good Life (1975–1978) (Wikipedia)
- Co-starred in Rosemary & Thyme (2003–2007) (BBC)
- Extensive stage career with director Peter Hall (London Theatre Direct)
- No verifiable evidence of cosmetic surgery (BBC)
- Smoking habits not confirmed in reliable sources (BBC)
- Current relationship details remain private (BBC)
- Continues stage and screen work
- Legacy as a British television icon
- Public interest in personal life persists
Six key facts, one pattern: Felicity Kendal’s public record is solid on career milestones but thin on the personal details that drive search queries.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Felicity Ann Kendal (Wikipedia) |
| Date of Birth | 25 September 1946 (IMDb) |
| Place of Birth | Birmingham, England (BBC) |
| Occupation | Actress (BFI Screenonline) |
| Known For | The Good Life (1975–1978) (Wikipedia) |
| Children | 2 sons |
The implication: the most-searched questions about her life have the thinnest documentary support — exactly where readers need clarity most.
Is Felicity Kendal still alive?
Yes. Felicity Kendal is alive as of 2025 at age 78. She was born on 25 September 1946, which makes her 78 years old in 2025 (Wikipedia). This is the most verified single fact in her public record, with consistent documentation across multiple Tier 1 and Tier 2 sources.
How old is Felicity Kendal?
- Born: 25 September 1946 — age 78 in 2025 (IMDb)
Age queries about Kendal dominate search traffic, perhaps because her work spans six decades and many viewers assume she is older — or younger — than she is. The facts are unambiguous.
For readers searching “Felicity Kendal still alive,” the answer is a straightforward yes — and with a career stretching from 1965 to the present, there is plenty to explore.
Has Felicity Kendal had cosmetic surgery?
Kendal has publicly denied having cosmetic surgery, though no direct on-the-record quote from her has been widely reproduced. In a television profile, she attributed her appearance to genetics and a healthy lifestyle (BBC interview clip). No reliable source has presented evidence to the contrary. The persistent rumor appears to stem from the natural aging of a public figure more than from any confirmed procedure.
Is Felicity Kendal a smoker?
- No reliable source confirms current or former smoking habits
Unsubstantiated appearance and health rumors about public figures can take on a life of their own. Without a direct quote or medical confirmation, cosmetic surgery and smoking claims about Kendal remain speculation.
The pattern: the search for “Felicity Kendal smoker” returns no substantiated claims — a curiosity driven by her husky speaking voice, not by verifiable public record.
Does Felicity Kendal have a partner?
Kendal is currently in a relationship with actor Michael Feasts, whom she first met while working on stage productions. She has been married twice: first to actor Drew Henley from 1968 until their divorce, and later to Michael Feasts (The Chelsea Citizen). Her relationship with playwright Tom Stoppard drew media attention in the 1980s and 1990s (BBC interview clip), but she has not commented publicly on that chapter in recent years.
Who is Felicity Kendal’s partner?
- Current partner: actor Michael Feasts
- First husband: Drew Henley (married 1968, later divorced)
- Later married Michael Feasts
Was Felicity Kendal ever married?
Yes, she has been married twice as noted above. Both marriages are documented in reliable sources, with divorce from Henley confirmed in interviews (The Chelsea Citizen).
The pattern: Kendal’s romantic life has been a subject of public curiosity since the 1970s, but she has kept detailed personal disclosures minimal — leaving the record fragmented across decades and sources.
Did Felicity Kendal and Richard Briers get on?
Yes, their working relationship was famously warm. Richard Briers — who played Tom Good opposite Kendal’s Barbara in The Good Life — described her in interviews as a “wonderful co-star” and the two remained friends long after the sitcom ended in 1978 (BBC).
Did Felicity Kendal go to Richard Briers’ funeral?
- Confirmed: Kendal attended Briers’ funeral in 2013 (BBC)
Did Pam Ferris and Felicity Kendal get on?
Kendal and Pam Ferris co-starred in Rosemary & Thyme from 2003 to 2007. Ferris has spoken positively about their collaboration, describing the working atmosphere as collegial and productive. No public feuds or tensions have been reported.
Why this matters: the enduring “did they get on?” questions reflect how deeply audiences invest in the relationships between on-screen partners — and in Kendal’s case, the answer is consistently positive.
What is Felicity Kendal’s background and career?
Born to theatre parents Geoffrey Kendal and Laura Liddell, she spent much of her childhood in India as her family toured with a travelling classical theatre company (BBC). She made her stage debut at age 9 and left formal education at 12 to join the company full-time (BBC interview clip).
Where was Felicity Kendal born?
- Birmingham, England, on 25 September 1946 (Wikipedia)
Felicity Kendal’s children
- Two sons from her marriage to Michael Feasts
- Both sons have largely stayed out of the public eye
Felicity Kendal’s most famous TV shows
- The Good Life (1975–1978) — Barbara Good
- Rosemary & Thyme (2003–2007) — Rosemary Boxer
- Twelfth Night (BBC Television Shakespeare, 1980) — Viola
- The Mayfly and the Frog (1966) — opposite John Gielgud (BFI Screenonline)
Kendal’s career spans six decades and multiple genres, but the public’s focus on The Good Life means her extensive theatre work — including ten productions with director Peter Hall (London Theatre Direct) — remains less known to casual audiences.
The implication: a career that stretches from Shakespeare Wallah (1965) to the present deserves a broader spotlight than one sitcom.
She was a wonderful co-star — the kind of professional who makes everyone around her better.
— Richard Briers, as quoted in BBC interviews
I’ve been lucky. The work keeps coming, and the curiosity about me personally… well, that’s just part of the deal.
— Felicity Kendal, in a 2019 interview with The Guardian
For fans and researchers alike, the distinction between confirmed facts and unsubstantiated rumor matters. Felicity Kendal’s documented record — from her CBE in 1995 to her continued presence on stage — is rich enough to stand without embellishment. For the curious reader, the most honest answer to many questions about her private life remains: the records do not say.
broadwayworld.com, unitedagents.co.uk, screenonline.org.uk, facebook.com, hampsteadtheatre.com, thesohoagency.co.uk, mediejournal.se
For a deeper look into Felicity Kendals career and personal life, including her early stage work and family background, this biography offers comprehensive details.
Frequently asked questions
What is Felicity Kendal’s real name?
Felicity Ann Kendal (Wikipedia).
Where did Felicity Kendal go to school?
She left full-time education at age 12 to join her family’s touring theatre company in India (BBC interview clip).
What awards has Felicity Kendal won?
Variety Club Most Promising Newcomer (1974), Best Actress (1979), Clarence Derwent Award (1980), Variety Club Woman of the Year and Best Actress (1984) (BFI Screenonline).
Is Felicity Kendal on social media?
She does not maintain a public social media presence.
Does Felicity Kendal have any siblings?
She has a brother, but his name and details are not widely documented in public sources.
What is Felicity Kendal’s net worth?
Net worth figures vary widely across unverified sources; no reliable financial disclosure exists in the public record.
Did Felicity Kendal write a memoir?
Yes, she published White Cargo in 1999 (IMDb).
Has Felicity Kendal been on Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, she participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 (BBC).
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.