Redgrave

Redgrave, family of English actors.

Sir Michael Redgrave, 1908–85, b. Bristol, Eng., was an actor, director, and writer. After his first professional performance in Counsellor-at-Law (1934), he appeared in an enormous number of stage plays, films, and television plays. He was especially adept at emotionally tense, cerebral roles. His major stage appearances include As You Like It, Hamlet, Macbeth, The Family Reunion, Uncle Vanya, and Mourning Becomes Electra. Among his films are The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Browning Version (1951), and The Hill (1965). His most famous film role was as a ventriloquist tormented by his dummy in Dead of Night (1945). Redgrave was married to the actress Rachel Kempson (1910–2003).

Bibliography

See Redgrave's Mask and Face (1953) and The Actor's Ways and Means (1954); Michael Redgrave—My Father (1995) by C. Redgrave; biography by K. B. F. Bain (1956).

His elder daughter,

Vanessa Redgrave, 1937–, b. London, is noted for her versatility and her elegant, somewhat austere presence. She has frequently appeared on the London stage and is also a powerful movie actress. Her films include Morgan! (1966), Isadora (1968), The Trojan Women (1972), Julia (1977), The Bostonians (1984), Steaming (1986), and The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991). She has been the subject of controversy for her support of various left-wing causes. Her sister

Lynn Redgrave, 1943–, b. London, has appeared on stage and in several films, notably Georgy Girl (1966) and Gods and Monsters (1998). Living in the United States for many years, she found a niche as a popular television comedienne, but has also acted in more serious roles, e.g., Shakespeare for My Father (1994). Their brother,

Corin Redgrave, 1939–, is also a noted stage and film actor. In 1994 he and his sister Vanessa founded the Moving Theater company, mounting productions in which both of the theatrical siblings act and direct. The daughters of Vanessa and film director Tony Richardson,

Natasha Richardson, 1963–, and

Joely Richardson, 1965–, are actresses, as is Corin's daughter,

Jemma Redgrave, 1965–; they have brought acclaim to a third generation of the Redgrave family.

Bibliography

See R. Kempson, Life among the Redgraves (1986).

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Redgrave

1. Lynn. born 1944, British stage and film actress. Her films include Georgy Girl (1966), The Happy Hooker (1975), and Gods and Monsters (1999)

2. her father, Sir Michael. 1908--85, British stage and film actor. Among his films are The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Dam Busters (1955), The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1963), and The Go-Between (1971)

3. his elder daughter, Vanessa. born 1937, British stage and film actress, whose roles include performances in the films Isadora (1968), Julia (1977), Howards End (1992), Mrs Dalloway (1998), and A Rumour of Angels (2000): noted also for her active commitment to left-wing politics

4. Sir Steve. born 1962, British oarsman; won five gold medals in rowing events at consecutive Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)