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Rula Lenska

Rula Lenska

Actor · Born September 30, 1947 (79) · St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 30, 1947 (79)
From
St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 26% in 30 days

What are Rula Lenska's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Survival
22%
Power
15%
Bonds
12%
Society
6%
Self
6%
Ideas
3%
Justice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 4 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 3
Threshold guardian
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Dread
4
Melancholic
4
Absurd
2
Contemplative
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Unsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rula Lenska's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rula Lenska's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Kingdom by the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Linda

  • Alice in Terrorland(2023)

    as Beth

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Picture of Dorian Gray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Winter Witch(2022)

    as Omi

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Scream of the Wolf(2022)

    as Maleva

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Huntress of Auschwitz(2022)

    as Amelia Kaminska

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Aura(2018)

    as Ada

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Devil of Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Bait(2014)

    as Linda

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Brilliant Gardens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator

  • Jack Says (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Garvey

  • Agent Crush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Olga Thyburn (voice)

  • M.I.High(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Vanessa Zeitgeist

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Gypo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Irina

  • Ideal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as The Red King

  • One Foot in the Grave: Starbound (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Fortune Teller

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Duchess

  • The Mixer(1992)

    Show as Lady Pamela Osgood

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • An Actor's Life for Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Marjorie

  • Cluedo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mrs. Peacock

  • Mr. H Is Late (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Circus Owner

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Function Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Robin of Sherwood(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Morgwyn of Ravenscar

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Styles

  • Aubrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Mabel Beardsley

  • Take a Letter, Mr Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 6 episodes · as Joan Warner

  • Private Schulz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Gertrude Steiner

  • Seven Dials Mystery(1981)

    as Countess Radzsky

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • An Audience with Dame Edna Everage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Kate · as Natasha · as Sandra Last

  • The Jesus Film(1979)

    as Herodias (scenes deleted)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Design for Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Gilda

  • The New Media Bible: The Gospel According to St. Luke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Herodias

  • Return of the Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Diana Lang

  • Queen Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Luce Habit

  • It Could Happen to You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Rita

  • The Deadly Females (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Luisa

  • One-Upmanship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rock Follies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 12 episodes · as Nancy 'Q' Cunard de Longchamps

  • Amazing Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Ms Fandom

  • Red Letter Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Ms. Fandom

  • Royal Flash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Helga

  • Space: 1999(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan Conway

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Alfie Darling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Louise

  • Confessions of a Pop Performer(1975)

    as Receptionist

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Racer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Goddess

  • Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Mabel Beardsley

  • Undercovers Hero(1974)

    as Louise

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Gilda

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · as Styles

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • World in Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Oh, Little Spark! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Janina/Babcia

Career shape

Star power in the 86th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 52 titles, 51 of them dated from 1963 to 2024; peak year 2023.

Biggest box office

Alice in Terrorland (2023)

$1M worldwide

Highest rated

The Jesus Film (1979)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

The Mixer (1992)

Film career

19632024

Peak 2023 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting52 of 52: 52 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score22nd

By decade

1960s3 · acting1970s19 · acting1980s10 · acting1990s4 · acting2000s5 · acting2010s4 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Rula Lenska's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 16th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 9th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

9thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 16 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

The Winter Witch (2022)

97th percentile spread · 67% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Jesus Film (1979)

Midcredits 86th · 71% liked

Reviewers score the acting 43/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 23. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Rula Lenska work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rula Lenska's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Richard John Taylor shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers