Possessing an almost hypnotic beauty that perfectly compliments her effectively understated acting style, Jenny Agutter has made a lasting impression on cinema lovers worldwide with appearances in such films as The Railway Children (1970), Walkabout (1971), and Logan's Run (1976). Although she continues to appear numerous films the actress has also made a notable name for herself as both a high-profile philanthropist and photographer.

 

Born in Taunton, England in 1952, her father was a military officer. Jenny had seen most of the world by the age of 11 (due to her fathers profession) when she was enrolled in the Elmhurst Ballet School in Cambury, Surrey. She made her film debut in East of Sudan (1964) when she was only 12 with Anthony Quayle. Then she made her biggest impression to date in the feature version of The Railway Children (1970). (She had previously appeared in a television series based on the story.) Entering drama school at the age of 17 while living in London, the demands of her studies frequently conflicted with an increasingly busy film schedule. Around the time of her appearance in Nicolas Roeg's surreal outback drama Walkabout, Agutter decided to move to Hollywood. There, she quickly gained a reputation as a formidable talent, and her 1971 performance in a made-for-TV production of The Snow Goose (opposite Richard Harris) earned the actress her first Emmy award.

 

Frequently alternating between television and film during the following few years, Agutter once again turned heads as the heroine of Logan's Run (1976). A fugitive of a system that terminates all citizens over the age of 30, the futuristic movie proved to be a hit and the actress became well known to stateside science fiction aficionados. 

 

Agutter was appearing on-stage frequently during this period as this in many ways was her first love. She also starred alongside Richard Chamberlain in a well-received TV version of the famous Dumas tale 'The Man in the Iron Mask' (1977) and turned in a solid performance in the leading female role in 'The Eagle Has Landed' (1976) with Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland. The following year, she starred in Peter Shaffer's disturbing play Equus (1977) alongside Richard Burton. This is the play in which Daniel (Harry Potter) Radcliffe was the lead (2007).

She became something of a cult star after her role as a nurse who falls for a werewolf in John Landis' highly success black comedy 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981). Agutter then kept things low-key through the remainder of the '80s, although eagle-eyed fans could catch a quick glimpse of her in such features as Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) and King of the Wind (1988).