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 davidcdiehl

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I LOVED THE SONG..............GEORGE GIRL

By Earl

When I was in the Marine Band, that song was General Houghton`s favorite and we had to play it a lot.
RIP Lynn, I remember you well!!!

By alan pavon

Too bad it wasn't Vanessa. Her politics are DISGUSTING!

Thursday 06 May

By Inger Ponton

Ms. Redgrave has always been a favorite of mine. May she rest in peace. The stars are brighter in Heaven because Ms. Redgrave is among them. My condolences to the family!! Inger Ponton

By mikeym

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i really enjoyed lynn redgrave - she was an amazing woman as well as an amazing actress

By icdou007

God Bless you, and you'll live on in your movies.

By David

She's acting for a divine audience now.Oh-don't forget "Teachers Only."

By Ron

What a loss! I am in total shock hearing this news today, especially as Ms. Redgrave was exactly one decade to the day older than I am. I've enjoyed her work ever since "Georgy Girl" in 1966 and even managed to see her live in a play called "Sweet Sue" with Mary Tyler Moore in 1988. She was just as talented as her sister and father and should have won both Academy Awards for which she was nominated.

By Eileen

Rest In Peace and God Bless , Just "Wonderful" Lynn

Tuesday 04 May

By beatledonny

so very sorry for the redgrave family I"ll always remember ""Goregy Girl" may she RIP

By Nick

I saw her in "Shakespeare for My Father." She was great-

I got to meet her after the show. A very nice lady.

Rest in Peace.

By michael crowley

If Earth us is so bad, please leave. You might be happier.

By Renae

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Regrave family. I lost my mom 5 years ago to Breast Cancer. The world has lost a great lady. Rest in God's hands beautiful soul.

By Jim

I'm surprised her work on the TV series "House Calls" wasn't mentioned. As good as her film work was, She probably gained greater fame through that series, that's what I remember her from.

By carolecaru

Lynn brought an unadulterated freshness to her acting roles. I say kudos to Lynn and rest in peace!

By gnjohn

r.i.p. lynn,sad,very nice person,alot of talent,rough way to suffer,she will be missed,condolences to her entire family.

By bill

So sorry to see the news this afternoon...a wonderful actress and our condolences go out to her family.

By steven narvaez

My heart goes out to the Redgrave family.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love to all.

By larrendell

RIP Ms. Redgrave. You were a diamond among the rhinestones!

By Debbie

With deepest sympathies to the family..