
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
September 30, 1947 (age 78)
Place of Birth
St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Also Known As
Róża Maria Leopoldyna Łubieńska
Roza Maria Leopoldyna Lubienska
Róża Łubieńska
Roza Lubienska
Рула Ленска
Rula Lenska
Biography
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.
Known For

TV
Doctor Who
Styles
1963

TV
Casualty
Circus Owner
1986

TV
Minder
Natasha
1979

TV
Minder
Kate
1979

TV
Minder
Sandra Last
1979

TV
GMTV
Self
1993

TV
Playhouse
Mabel Beardsley
1974

TV
BBC Play of the Month
Gilda
1965

TV
Celebrity Big Brother
Self
2001

TV
M.I. High
Vanessa Zeitgeist
2007

TV
Space: 1999
Joan Conway
1975

TV
Ideal
The Red King
2005

TV
The Detectives
Duchess
1993

TV
Return of the Saint
Diana Lang
1978

TV
Robin of Sherwood
Morgwyn of Ravenscar
1984

Film
The Huntress of Auschwitz
Amelia Kaminska
2022

TV
Cluedo
Mrs. Peacock
1990

Film
Jesus
Herodias (scenes deleted)
1979

TV
Private Schulz
Gertrude Steiner
1981

Film
Alice in Terrorland
Beth
2023
Filmography
2025FilmMorecambe & Wise: The Unseen Tapesas Self2024FilmThe Kingdom by the Seaas Linda2024FilmTo the Manor Born: Britain's Best Loved Comedyas Self-Mlle Dutoit2023FilmAlice in Terrorlandas Beth2023FilmThe Picture of Dorian Grayas Narrator (voice)2022FilmThe Winter Witchas Omi2022FilmWolf Manoras Maleva2022FilmThe Huntress of Auschwitzas Amelia Kaminska2020FilmJeepers Creepersas Self - Fantasy Lover (voice)2019Film7 Up & Meas Self2018FilmAuraas Ada2016FilmThe Devil of Christmas2015FilmBaitas Linda2008FilmJack Saysas Garvey2008FilmAgent Crushas Olga Thyburn (voice)2007TVM.I. Highas Vanessa Zeitgeist2005FilmGypoas Irina2005TVIdealas The Red King2001TVCelebrity Big Brotheras Self1996FilmOne Foot in the Grave: Starboundas Fortune Teller1993TVThe Detectivesas Duchess1993TVGMTVas Self1990TVCluedoas Mrs. Peacock1988FilmMr. H Is Late1986TVCasualtyas Circus Owner1984TVRobin of Sherwoodas Morgwyn of Ravenscar1984FilmDoctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleksas Styles1982FilmAubreyas Mabel Beardsley1981TVTake a Letter, Mr Jonesas Joan Warner1981TVPrivate Schulzas Gertrude Steiner1981FilmAgatha Christie's Seven Dials Mysteryas Countess Radzsky1980FilmAn Audience with Dame Edna Everage1979TVMinderas Natasha1979FilmJesusas Herodias (scenes deleted)1979FilmDesign for Livingas Gilda1979FilmThe New Media Bible: The Gospel According to St. Lukeas Herodias1978TVReturn of the Saintas Diana Lang1976FilmQueen Kongas Luce Habit1976FilmIt Could Happen to Youas Rita1976FilmThe Deadly Femalesas Luisa1976TVOne-Upmanship1976TVRock Follies1976FilmAmazing Storiesas Ms Fandom1975FilmRoyal Flashas Helga1975TVSpace: 1999as Joan Conway1975FilmAlfie Darlingas Louise1975FilmConfessions of a Pop Performeras Receptionist1975FilmThe Raceras Goddess1974TVPlayhouseas Mabel Beardsley1974FilmSoft Beds, Hard Battlesas Louise1965TVBBC Play of the Monthas Gilda1963TVDoctor Whoas Styles—FilmOh, Little Spark!as Janina/Babcia