Hédi Temessy (Budapest, May 6, 1925 – Budapest, May 29, 2001) was a Hungarian actress and a leading figure in 20th-century Hungarian theatre and cinema. After graduating from the Academy of Drama and Film in Budapest in 1948, she began a long and celebrated stage career. She was a member of major companies such as the National Theatre (Nemzeti Színház), the Madách Theatre, and the Thália Theatre, distinguishing herself through her portrayal of strong, intellectual female characters, often endowed with subtle irony. In parallel, her film career includes over one hundred films. Among her most memorable performances are those in "Merry-Go-Round" (Körhinta, 1956) and "The Fifth Seal" (Az ötödik pecsét, 1976), both directed by Zoltán Fábri, and in "Electra, My Love" (Szerelmem, Elektra, 1974) by Miklós Jancsó. Her talent was widely recognized with numerous awards: she received the Jászai Mari Prize twice (1956, 1963) and was awarded the prestigious Kossuth Prize in 1982, Hungary's highest state honor for the arts.