The death of British film, stage and television actress Lynn Redgrave is yet one more blow to the royal line of one of the world’s most prestigious acting families. According to the Boston Herald, Lynn Redgrave’s greatest performances in such productions as “Georgy Girl,” “Shakespeare for My Father” and “Nightingale” paled in comparison to her final courageous battle against breast cancer, a battle that she has now lost. The actress was 67. Lynn Redgrave passed peacefully with kids Ben, Pema and Annabel at her side at her home in Connecticut.
Lynn Redgrave played women with both heart and enthusiasm
In roles like the spunky, unflappable “Georgy Girl,” Lynn Redgrave’s art imitated her life. And Redgrave fought against cancer until the very end, said her publicist Rick Miramontez. She was loved by all and never stopped working on her dramatic craft, even when illness wracked her body with pain. “The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives,” wrote Miramontez.
Lynn Redgrave: Preceded in death by her niece and brother
Lynn Redgrave’s death has occurred nearly a year after her niece Natasha Richardson died from head injuries sustained during a skiing accident and just a month after the death of Lynn’s older brother Corin Redgrave. Vanessa Redgrave, 73, lives on. Movie roles in “Gods and Monsters” and major stage parts in “The Constant Wife” and “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” were among other notable Lynn Redgrave performances.
In some ways, Lynn was the polar opposite of sister Vanessa
Vanessa Redgrave is openly politically and guarded privately, which is quite the opposite of her sister. She was quite candid about the struggles in her personal life, from a bout with bulimia that led her to become a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers to her ongoing cancer battle. In her book “Journal: A Mother and Daughter’s Recovery from Breast Cancer” (written with daughter Annabel Clark in 2004), Lynn Redgrave laid bare her daily struggle with that which would ultimately take her life.
Her courage in the face of monumental physical adversity is beyond noteworthy. Those who knew Lynn Redgrave for her roles and for her person mount her untimely demise.
Resources
Boston Herald
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/view.bg?articleid=1252041
