Lynn Redgrave of Acting Dynasty Dies at 67

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted May 3rd 2010 12:12PM

Lynn Redgrave, a low key but immensely talented member of her family's acting dynasty who rose to fame in the 1960s as the title character of 'Georgy Girl' and later scored an Oscar nomination for 'Gods and Monsters,' died Sunday night after a lengthy battle with breast cancer, her family announced. She was 67.

"Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven-year journey with breast cancer," her children Ben, Pema and Annabel said on Monday. Her publicist Rick Miramontez said Redgrave died peacefully Sunday night at her home in Connecticut.

The news comes a year after niece Natasha Richardson died from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident and just a month after the loss of her older brother, Corin Redgrave.

The Redgrave Siblings in 2007

'Georgy Girl' Trailer

"She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before," her kid's statement read. "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."

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The Redgrave Family

Vanessa, left, and Lynn Redgrave went head-to-head for the Best Actress Oscar in 1967, but both lost out to Elizabeth Taylor. Check Out More Classic Pics of the Acting Family >>

The Redgrave Family

In this November 12, 2007 file photograph, actress Lynn Redgrave poses at the 2006-2007 Rolex Mentor-Protege Arts Initiative Dinner in New York City. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl," has died, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (Donna Ward/Abaca Press/MCT)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this April 10, 1967 file photo, sisters Vanessa, left, and Lynn Redgrave attend the post-Oscar party at the annual Academy Awards, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Both actresses were nominated for a best actress Oscar, Vanessa for her role in "Morgan," her younger sister Lynn for "Georgy Girl." Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 1965 file photo, British actress Lynn Redgrave, 22, is shown in the title role in a movie scene from "Georgy" at Shepperton Studios, Middlesex, England. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 1976 file photo, actress Lynn Redgrave is shown at Sardi's restaurant in New York. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this June 8, 2003 file photo, sisters Vanessa Redgrave, left, and Lynn Redgrave arrive to the 57th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this June 11, 2007 file photo, sisters and actresses Lynn Redgrave, left, and Vanessa Redgrave arrive at the premiere of "Evening" in New York. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this June 1, 1992 file photo. actress Lynn Redgrave arrives at the Gershwin Theater in New York for the 46th annual Tony Awards. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, file)

The Redgrave Family

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 1990 file photo, Vanessa Redgrave, bottom right, and Lynn Redgrave, left, pose with their niece Jemma Redgrave during previews of their play "Three Sisters" in London's West End Queens Theater. Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, died Sunday, May 2, 2010. She was 67. (AP Photo/Gill Allen, file)

The Redgrave Family

NEW YORK - MAY 18: (FILE PHOTO) Actress Lynn Redgrave attends the 2009 Manhattan Theatre Club's Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 18, 2009 in New York City. According to reports May 3, 2010, Lynn Redgrave has died during the night May 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lynn Redgrave

The Redgrave Family

The youngest child of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, Lynn Redgrave never quite managed the acclaim -- or notoriety -- of elder sibling Vanessa Redgrave, but received Oscar nominations for 'Georgy Girl' and 'Gods and Monsters,' and Tony nominations for 'Mrs. Warren's Profession,' 'Shakespeare for My Father' and 'The Constant Wife.'

"Vanessa was the one expected to be the great actress," Lynn Redgrave told The Associated Press in 1999. "It was always, 'Corin's the brain, Vanessa the shining star, oh, and then there's Lynn.'"

In the theater, Redgrave, with her striking dark red hair, often displayed a sunny, sweet and open personality, much like her ebullient offstage personality. It worked well in such shows as 'Black Comedy,' her Broadway debut in 1972, and again two years later in 'My Fat Friend,' a comedy about an overweight young woman who sheds pounds to find romance.

Tall and blue-eyed like her sister, she was as open about her personal life as Vanessa has been about politics. In plays and in interviews, Lynn Redgrave confided about her family, her marriage and her health.

She acknowledged that she suffered from bulimia and served as a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers. With daughter Annabel Clark, she released a 2004 book about her fight with cancer, 'Journal: A Mother and Daughter's Recovery From Breast Cancer.'

In recent years, Redgrave made her presence known in the United States with cameos on popular TV shows like 'Ugly Betty,' 'Law & Order: CI' and 'Desperate Housewives.'

Lynn Redgrave is survived by six grandchildren, her sister Vanessa and four nephews and nieces, including 'Nip/Tuck actress Joley Richardson. A private funeral will be held later this week.

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Tags: Lynn Redgrave

Comments

(146)

Monday 03 May

By OhLori

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Rest in peace sweet lady. And you weren't "just Lynn" to me.

By GingerRoot

Poor Vanessa. Her daughter, then her brother, now her sister. All in one year.

RIP to them all.

By trina

im so sorry for your lose may god be the family

By themeeker

This is a great loss. She had the dignity and grace that is so lacking in today's crop of "stars". For this she will be sorely missed.

By katydid579

Absolutely one of the best! Thank you for enriching our lives.

By Keith

I had the fortunate opportunity to act with Lynn in 1986. A true, giving, and talented lady. Rare.

By Sara

Rest in peace Sweet Lynn. I so appreciate your laughter. You were such a fabulous role model as you were a strong, capable woman. Peace to you, and peace to your family.

Rest in Peace sweet lady. You weren't "just Lynn" to me.

By TONY

too young to remember any of her movies,but i dont like to hear any deaths about nice actors,my mother said she was one of the best ,so r.i.p. lynn.

By DDL

when I was in my early 20's in the mid 70's, when Hollywood started to doing mini-series I saw Lynn Redgrave in Michners "Centennial", she was wonderful. How sad of her to think of herself as less of an actor and daughter than her sister & brother. I enjoyed her work and will remember her fondly which is more than I can say about her mouthy way too political sister who is a huge turnoff to me. Rest in Piece Lynn.

By p

Always admired Lynne.... The best of the Redgrave bunch, (so to speak.)

By lynne4

God Bless you Lynn and you family! You were a wonderful peraon and a Top notch Actrees. May you rest in Peace.

By JP

RIP you will NEVER be just "Lynn" to me, as I will never forget the personal encouragement she herself gave to me on a singing audition decades back. Thank you, Lynn Redgrave, for continuing to encourage so many with your perseverance to the end.

By GERRY

THIS IS A SHOCK. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL TALENT, THIS IS GREAT A LOSS. MY CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY.

By Barbara

I remember seeing and loving Lynn Redgrave and John Lithgow in My Fat Friend on Broadway. Rest in peace, dear lady.

By Dad

RIP
You made a Mark & a Difference.
Thank You

By Phyllis Wilbanks

This was a shock to me, what a treasure she was to all who knew her. Never any scandal, always the lady on and off screen. You will be missed fair lady, and mourned by many. My condolences to her family and friends.

By Ethan Schlamm

A great actress and a really wonderful lady. Miss you lots, Lynne

By Bec

She will be missed. I had the chance to meet MS. Redgrave before one of her shows in NYC. She was so down to earth and easy to talk w/. We both just happened to be carrying the same bag and it caught her attention. My heart goes out to her family.

By BB

Rest In Peace,Lynn Redgrave.I always enjoyed everything I'd ever seen her in.I remember she was on a television series years ago,can't remember the name,but she played a receptionist to a doctor.Anyone else recall the name of the show?

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