Actress Lynn Redgrave died on 2 May at the age of 67, with her family around her. Her death follows a seven year battle with breast cancer.
The younger sister of Vanessa Redgrave and Corin Redgrave, who died just a month ago, Lynn, like her siblings, followed her parents, Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, into the acting profession
Though she may be best known for her award-winning roles in films Georgy Girl and Gods And Monsters, Redgrave’s career began on the London stage.
A graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama, she joined the Royal Court at the age of 18 and made her professional stage debut playing Helena in the 1962 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Following her West End debut in The Tulip Tree at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, she joined Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre company at the Old Vic in 1963, taking roles in The Recruiting Officer, Andorra, Hay Fever, Mother Courage, Love For Love and Much Ado About Nothing during her three year tenure.
Her Broadway debut followed in 1967, when she starred opposite Michael Crawford in Black Comedy. After marrying John Clark in the same year, she went on to forge a career across the Atlantic, appearing on both screen and stage.
Redgrave’s many London credits include The Two Of Us, Slag and Born Yesterday. In 1991, she took to the West End stage to star opposite sister Vanessa in Three Sisters at the Queen’s theatre, though the engagement led to a falling out between the siblings about their views on America.
Most recently, Redgrave had made guest appearances on hit US television series including Ugly Betty, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Desperate Housewives.
A statement released by Redgrave’s children Ben, Pema and Annabel reads: “The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time.”
MA