Jenny was born 11th November 1944 in Coulsdon, Surrey. due to her Dutch father's work taking him to various places in Europe she was educated in 15 schools in England, Holland and Vienna. On leaving school she joined the Guilford School of Acting for two years then joined the York Repertory Company for a year. She then became an assistant stage manager at Chichester Theatre then deputy stage manager with their production of 'Vivat!, Vivat! Regina' when it went to London's Piccadilly Theatre. She made her film debut in 1972 as Anne of Cleeves in 'Henry VIII and His Six Wives'.