Jane Mallory Birkin (born 14 December 1946) is a British actress and singer. Birkin was born in London, United Kingdom to David Birkin, a Royal Navy commander and World War II espionage hero, and Judy Campbell, an actress in Noel Coward musicals. Her great aunt was Freda Dudley Ward, a mistress of Edward VIII while he was Prince of Wales Birkin emerged in the swinging '60s in London, starring as one of the models in the controversial film Blowup in 1966. In 1968, Birkin went to France to audition for the lead female role in Slogan. Though she did not speak French, she got the role.