Matinee Classics - Lynn Redgrave Biography & Filmography

Lynn Redgrave ACTOR

PHOTOS

LYNN REDGRAVE BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Lynn Redgrave was born on March 8th, 1943 in Marylebone, London in the United Kingdom with the birth name Lynn Rachel Redgrave, born to Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. Both of her parents were actors and initially she had no thoughts of following in their footsteps and was more focused on growing up to pursue a career as a chef or equestrienne. However, around the age of fifteen she began showing an interest in acting and would participate in a number of stage performances with her father.

In 1962 while studying at London's Central School of Music and Drama she made her first real stage debut in, "Mid Summer Nights Dream". Within about a year she began to work in the film industry with appearances on such features as, "Tom Jones" (1963), "Girl with Green Eyes" (1964), "Sunday Out of Season" (1965) and "Georgy Girl" (1966) which was her first film to really gain the attention of film critics. For her role in this film she won a Golden Globe as well as a New York Film Critics Award and a nomination for Best Actress.

Although she had finally begun to make a name for herself in the industry and continued to appear in a number of films, none were really helping her reach any major level of success. Redgrave was seen on the big screen in such films as, "Smashing Time" (1967), and "The Virgin Soldiers" (1969).

Lynn now decided to relocate to the United States and resides in California, although she traveled frequently to New York to appear in stage productions on Broadway such as, "Black Comedy/White Lies" (1967), "My Fat Friend" (1974), "Mrs. Warren's Profession" (1976), "Knock Knock" (1976), "Saint Joan" (1977-1978), "Aren't We All" (1985), "Sweet Sue" (1987) and "Three Sister's" (1991). Later she actually wrote her own show titled, "Shakespeare for My Father" (1993-1994), for which she performed on Broadway.

Along with working as a stage actress she did continue to work on films, but nothing of major significance. However, Redgrave did appear on a number of television shows such as, "Not for Women Only" (1968), "Kojak" (1976), "Centennial" (1978-1979), "House Calls" (1979-1981), "Fantasy Island" (1982-1984) and "Hotel" (1983-1986).

Redgrave also became the national spokesperson for, 'Weight Watchers' appearing in a number of their commercials. She was also a published author with the release of the book, This is Living: How I Found Health and Happiness". She also added to her resume, narrating around twenty audio books such as, "Prince Caspian: The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Inkheart".

In the late 90's, Redgrave returned to the film industry appearing on, "Shine" (1996) and "Gods and Monsters" (1998), a role for which she received a Golden Globe as well as an Oscar nomination.

Some of her more recent roles were on the television series, "Me, Eloise" (2006-2007), "Desperate Housewives" (2007), 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2009) and "Ugly Betty" (2009).

Lynn Redgrave married only once to John Clark in 1967 and they had three children together and remained married until 2000. Sadly in 2003, Redgrave was diagnosed with breast cancer. This realization of how valuable each day of life is brought her to write her second book, "A Mother and Daughter's Recovery from Breast Cancer". Sadly, she battled breast cancer for seven years and was not able to overcome the illness. At the age of sixty seven she passed away on May 2nd, 2010 in Kent, Connecticut. Her remains are interred in St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery in the hamlet of Lithgow, in New York.