When I started researching Hollywood family histories, I had no idea how much one humble Minnesota man would capture me. Bernard Carl Hedren avoided red carpets and paparazzi. However, his quiet power, choices, and everyday labors planted a cinematic empire. His narrative feels like the solid roots of a great oak, inconspicuous to most pedestrians but vital to every leaf and branch above. I keep returning to his biography because it reminds me that fame frequently comes from humble origins.
Bernard Carl Hedren was born in New Sweden Township, outside Lafayette, Nicollet County, Minnesota, on June 13, 1893. In those years, Swedish immigrants energized the area. Parents Mathias J. Hedren and Wilhelmina Maria Flygare brought Scandinavian culture to America. They reared a large family on farming and smalltown values. Alfred William, Harry Edwin, Mabel Helen, Alice, Ellen, Edna, and Florence were Bernard’s siblings. By his teens, the family was settled in Lafayette. The 1910 census found him aged 16, already working in rural life.
In nearby Lyon County, he enrolled for the 1917 draft. After that, he was an Army Corporal. The years of service were memorable. The modest words CPL US ARMY appeared on his headstone decades later. Experience taught him duty and discipline. His return home and future building were guided by those same qualities.
Dorothea Henrietta Eckhardt, a Minnesota German-Norwegian born in 1899, married Bernard around 1925. Their marriage merged cultures into a warm, secure home. A striking picture of their early years together in Lafayette is in the 1930 census. Ben C. Hedren, 36, operated the residence. Dorothea was 30. Their first daughter, Patricia (Patty), was four years old when she arrived in 1926. On January 19, 1930, in nearby New Ulm, their second daughter, Nathalie Kay, was born. Bernard called the infant Tippi, a Swedish euphemism for young girl, for life. That one loving act would go far beyond the Midwest.
Bernard’s general store dominated Lafayette. The small shop sold groceries, hardware, and other basics to a few hundred residents. The store kept families fed and shoes on their feet throughout the Great Depression. Bernard opened early and closed late. He knew each consumer by name. He gave credit during hard times. Although his firm was modest, it provided the consistent income his daughters needed to attend school and pursue their interests.
Around 1934, when Tippi was four, the family moved to Morningside Village in Edina, Minnesota. At the 1940 census, Bernard was 46, Dorothea 40, Patty 13, and Nathalie nine, living in a nice middle-class home. Tippi lovingly remembered those years. Morningside and West High Schools in Minneapolis were her schools. She even modeled for Dayton’s in her teens. Bernard and Dorothea boosted her confidence. They nourished Tippi’s passion of animals, which would shape her public career.
Simple Swedish and Norwegian cuisine from both sides certainly graced the home table. Shoppers discussed school, community events, and weekend chores. Bernard emphasized hard effort, kindness, and resilience. Rarely sought recognition. He let his actions speak. His approach resembles the quiet fortitude many immigrant families brought to the American heartland, creating futures one thoughtful decision at a time.
Bernard and Dorothea had two daughters, and I’ve contemplated their paths.
Older Patricia Patty Hedren Davis was born about 1926. She and her younger sister grew up in Lafayette and Edina. Patty preferred a quieter life away from entertainment. Marriage made her Patricia Hedren Davis. Family members say she was a constant, kind presence. She remained close to her sister for decades. Tippi has praised Patty for her constant support during Hollywood’s ups and downs.
Nathalie Kay Tippi Hedren, born January 19, 1930, rose to fame beyond her father’s expectations. Her modeling career took her to New York after high school. In 1963, Alfred Hitchcock cast her in The Birds. It launched Marnie’s 1964 career and decades of animal advocacy. She started the Roar Foundation to save big cats. She acknowledged her Minnesota upbringing with providing her resilience to overcome obstacles.
Melanie Griffith, their daughter, was born August 9, 1957. Melanie established her career with Working Girl and Something Wild. She has three children who continued Bernard’s line. Dakota Johnson, born in 1989, became famous in Fifty Shades and continues to play different roles. Stella Banderas and Alexander Bauer complete the great-grandchildren roster, each contributing to creativity and public life.
To make the connections clearer, here is a simple family overview table I compiled while organizing my notes:
| Relationship | Name | Birth Year | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self | Bernard Carl Hedren | 1893 | Store owner, U.S. Army Corporal, died 1979 |
| Spouse | Dorothea Henrietta Eckhardt | 1899 | Married around 1925, passed 1994 |
| Daughter | Patricia Patty Hedren Davis | 1926 | Elder sister, private life |
| Daughter | Nathalie Kay Tippi Hedren | 1930 | Actress, activist, founder of Roar Foundation |
| Granddaughter | Melanie Griffith | 1957 | Acclaimed actress |
| Great-grandchild | Dakota Johnson | 1989 | Actress known for major film roles |
| Great-grandchild | Stella Banderas | 1996 | Actress and model |
| Great-grandchild | Alexander Bauer | 1985 | Private but part of the extended family |
Numbers like these help me picture the span of time. Bernard lived 85 full years. Tippi was only nine when the family settled in Morningside. Melanie entered the world when Bernard was 64. By the time Dakota was born in 1989, Bernard had been gone for a decade. Yet the values he planted continued to grow.
In his later years Bernard and Dorothea relocated to Southern California. The warmer climate suited them after decades of Minnesota winters. They settled near Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County. Bernard passed away on April 1 1979 at age 85. Some records note San Bernardino County as the place of death, but the family chose burial at Riverside National Cemetery. His plot rests in Section 8, Site 3443. The military marker stands as a final tribute to his service. Dorothea survived him by 15 years, passing in 1994.
I often pause to consider how one man’s daily choices rippled outward. Bernard never chased fame. He simply showed up, ran his store, loved his wife, and raised his girls with care. That consistency became the launchpad for Tippi’s courage on screen and her compassion off it. It fueled Melanie’s bold performances and now echoes in Dakota’s thoughtful career selections. The family tree that began in a small Minnesota township now spans acting credits, animal sanctuaries, and cultural conversations that reach millions.
FAQ
What was Bernard Carl Hedren’s main occupation?
He owned and operated a small general store in Lafayette, Minnesota. The business sold groceries and household goods. It supported his family through the 1930s and 1940s while serving the local farming community.
How many children did Bernard Carl Hedren and Dorothea have?
They had two daughters. Patricia Patty arrived around 1926 and Nathalie Kay Tippi followed in 1930. No other children are recorded.
Where and when was Bernard Carl Hedren born and when did he die?
He was born on June 13 1893 in New Sweden Township near Lafayette, Nicollet County, Minnesota. He died on April 1 1979 at age 85 in the Desert Hot Springs area of California.
Did Bernard Carl Hedren serve in the military?
Yes. He registered for the World War I draft in 1917 and served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. His headstone at Riverside National Cemetery carries that proud designation.
How is Bernard Carl Hedren connected to modern celebrities?
He is the grandfather of actress Melanie Griffith and the great-grandfather of Dakota Johnson, Stella Banderas, and Alexander Bauer. His daughter Tippi Hedren built the bridge from his quiet Minnesota life to Hollywood prominence.
