Lynn Redgrave Biography

(Best Known for Her Films: ‘Tom Jones’ and ‘Georgy Girl’)

Birthday: March 8, 1943 (Pisces)

Born In: Marylebone, London, England

Lynn edgrave was a British-born American actress who was a member of the esteemed Redgrave family of actors. She began her professional career in a production of Shakespeare’s well-known play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, playing the role of Helena. Her first work on the big screen was seen in the film ‘Tom Jones’. Her popularity grew further after she played the lead role of Georgina Parkin in the British romantic comedy film ‘Georgy Girl’. She won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards and a Golden Globe for her performance, and also earned a nomination for the Oscar, in the ‘Best Actress’ category. She won another nomination for the Oscar in the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ category, for her role in the period drama film ‘Gods and Monsters’. She appeared in many other films throughout her career, some of them including ‘The Happy Hooker’, ‘Shine’ ‘and ‘Long Live your Death’. A few years before her death, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for her contribution to cinema.
7
Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In March

Also Known As: Lynn Rachel Redgrave

Died At Age: 67

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: John Clark (1967–2000)

father: Sir Michael Redgrave

mother: Rachel Kempson

siblings: Corin Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave

children: Annabel Lucy Clark, Benjamin Clark, Kelly Anne Clark, Pema Clark

Born Country: England

Actresses American Women

Died on: May 2, 2010

place of death: Kent, Connecticut, United States

Notable Alumni: Royal Central School Of Speech & Drama

Cause of Death: Breast Cancer

Ancestry: British American

City: Marylebone, England

More Facts

education: Royal Central School Of Speech & Drama

  • 1

    What were some of Lynn Redgrave's notable film roles?

    Lynn Redgrave's notable film roles include Georgy in "Georgy Girl" (1966), Mrs. Kendal in "Gods and Monsters" (1998), and Hannah in "Shine" (1996).
  • 2

    Did Lynn Redgrave ever perform on Broadway?

    Yes, Lynn Redgrave performed on Broadway in various productions, including "Shakespeare for My Father" in 1993 and "The Constant Wife" in 2005.
  • 3

    Was Lynn Redgrave involved in any activism or advocacy work?

    Yes, Lynn Redgrave was involved in activism and advocacy work, particularly in raising awareness about breast cancer and supporting cancer research initiatives.
  • 4

    Did Lynn Redgrave write any books during her career?

    Yes, Lynn Redgrave wrote an autobiography titled "This is Living" in 1991, where she shared personal stories and reflections on her life and career.
  • 5

    What was Lynn Redgrave's approach to acting?

    Lynn Redgrave was known for her versatile acting style and dedication to her craft. She often emphasized the importance of authenticity and emotional depth in her performances.
Childhood & Early Life
Lynn Rachel Redgrave was born on 8th March 1943, in Marylebone, London, in the UK. She belonged to the Redgrave family of actors. Her parents, Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, were actors.
She had two siblings, Vanessa Redgrave and Corin Redgrave. Her grandfather, Roy Redgrave, was also a well-known actor, and the first member of the Redgrave acting dynasty. Lynn studied acting at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.
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Career
Lynn Redgrave began her professional acting career, in 1962, in Royal Court Theatre’s production of the famous Shakespearean play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. She continued to act in various other plays such as ‘Billy Liar’, ‘The Recruiting Officer’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.
Her first work on the big screen was a minor role in ‘Tom Jones’, a British comedy film, which was adapted from a classic novel by Henry Fielding. The film received a lot of appreciation. It was nominated for ten Oscars, and won in four categories, including Best Picture. The film has also been listed by the British Film Institute as the 51st greatest British film of the 20th century. It was directed by Tony Richardson.
In 1963, she appeared in the film ‘Girl with Green Eyes’, which was adapted from the novel ‘The Lonely Girl’ by Edna O’Brien. She played the role of Baba Brennan, one of the main characters. The film was directed by Desmond Davis. In 1965, she also made her television debut with a role in the television film ‘Sunday Out of Season’.
She gained international fame for her lead role of Georgina Parkin, in the 1966 British romantic comedy film ‘Georgy Girl’. The film was directed by Silvio Narizzano, and was based on a novel by Margaret Forster. For her outstanding performance, Redgrave was nominated for an Oscar, in the ‘Best Actress’, category. She also won the Golden Globe award and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards for her performance.
Over the next three decades, she continued to appear in numerous movies, though most of them were not very successful. Some of these films include ‘The Family Way’ (1966), ‘Long Live Your Death’ (1971), ‘The Happy Hooker’, (1975), ‘The Big Bus’ (1976), and ‘Midnight’ (1989).
Over the years, she also appeared in several TV films. Some of them are ‘Sooner or Later’ (1979), ‘Rehearsal for Murder’ (1982), ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ (1983), and ‘The Bad Seed’ (1985). In 1978 and 1979, she also appeared in the miniseries ‘Centennial’. Between 1979 and 1981, she was seen in the TV series ‘House Calls’, in a main role. She played a main role in another series ‘Teachers Only’ in 1982 and 1983.
Her next important work was the 1996 Australian biopic ‘Shine’. It was based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who had suffered a mental breakdown and had to spend years in institutions. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. It was a critical as well as a commercial success, earning over $ 35 million on a budget of $ 6 million.
Lynn Redgrave next appeared in the period drama film ‘Gods and Monsters’. The film was directed by Bill Condon. The film was based on a novel named ‘Father of Frankenstein’, by Christopher Bram. The film won an Oscar in the ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’ category. Redgrave earned an Oscar nomination as well in the ‘Best Supporting Actress’, category. She won the Golden Globe award in the same category.
Over the next ten years, she continued to appear in several other films such as ‘The Annihilation of Fish’, (1999), ‘How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog’ (2000)(4), ‘Hansel and Gretel’ (2002), ‘Peter Pan’ (2003) and ‘The White Countess’ (2005). Between 1998 and 2001, she was also seen in the TV sitcom ‘Rude Awakening’, in the role of Trudy Frank.
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In 2009, she appeared in a minor role in the romantic comedy film ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’, which was directed by P J Hogan. Her life’s last work was the animated film ‘My Dog Tulip’, which released the same year. It was directed by Paul Fierlinger.
Major Works
Lynn Redgrave became popular for her role in the British film ‘Georgy Girl’, which was based on a novel of the same name by Margaret Forster. The film was directed by Silvio Narizzano. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won several awards and nominations, including four Oscar nominations. Redgrave was nominated for the Oscar in the ‘Best Actress’ category, and she also received a Golden Globe Award, in the category of ‘Best Actress in a Motion Picture’.
She played one of the major roles in the biopic ‘Shine’. Directed by Scott Hicks, the film revolved around the life of David Helfgott, a pianist, who had to spend years in psychiatric institutions, after having a mental breakdown. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Geoffrey Rush, who played the lead role of Helfgott, won an Oscar in the ‘Best Actor’ category.
Personal Life
Lynn Redgrave got married to English actor John Clark on 2 April 1967. They had three children. They ended the marriage in 2000, after Clark was found to be having an affair with his personal assistant.
She died of breast cancer on 2 May 2010.
Facts About Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave was not only a talented actress, but she was also an accomplished author, writing several books throughout her career.
Despite coming from a famous acting family, Lynn Redgrave always remained down-to-earth and approachable, earning a reputation for being kind and friendly to everyone she worked with.
In addition to her acting skills, Lynn Redgrave was also known for her sense of humor and quick wit, often bringing laughter to those around her on set.
Lynn Redgrave was a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and spoke openly about her own struggles with depression, helping to reduce stigma and promote understanding.
As a mother of three, Lynn Redgrave prioritized her family above all else and found joy in spending time with her loved ones, creating a warm and nurturing home environment.

Lynn Redgrave Movies

1. The Family Way (1966)

  (Romance, Comedy, Drama)

2. Shine (1996)

  (Romance, Music, Biography, Drama)

3. Girl with Green Eyes (1964)

  (Drama, Romance)

4. Gods and Monsters (1998)

  (Biography, Drama)

5. Georgy Girl (1966)

  (Romance, Drama, Comedy)

6. The Deadly Affair (1966)

  (Thriller, Crime, Romance, Drama, Mystery)

7. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972)

  (Comedy)

8. Tom Jones (1963)

  (Comedy, Adventure, History)

9. Kinsey (2004)

  (Biography, Romance, Drama)

10. How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (2000)

  (Drama, Comedy)

Awards

Golden Globe Awards
1999 Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Gods and Monsters (1998)
1967 Best Actress - Comedy or Musical Georgy Girl (1966)

See the events in life of Lynn Redgrave in Chronological Order

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- Lynn Redgrave Biography
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URL
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