Rula Lenska

Rula Lenska, born Róża Maria Leopoldyna Łubieńska on September 30, 1947, is a renowned English-Polish actress celebrated primarily for her work in British theater and television. She gained considerable fame in the United States through a memorable series of commercials for Alberto VO5 hairspray during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Lenska's early life began in St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, England, within a family of Polish nobility, holders of the Pomian coat of arms, who once owned a castle in Kazimierza Wielka, Poland. Her father, Major Count Ludwik Łubieński, served as personal secretary to Polish Foreign Minister Józef Beck before World War II and later worked with General Władysław Sikorski in the Polish Government in Exile. Her mother, Countess Elżbieta Tyszkiewicz, endured captivity in Ravensbrück concentration camp during the Nazi occupation, showcasing a legacy of resilience.

Lenska's breakthrough role came with her portrayal of "Q," a member of the fictional band Little Ladies in the British TV series Rock Follies (1976) and its sequel, Rock Follies of '77. By this time, she had chosen to step away from her noble title. Her appearances in the VO5 commercials made her a recognizable figure in the U.S., leading to humorous references by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show and a comedic portrayal by Jane Curtin on Saturday Night Live, solidifying her status as a pop culture icon.