Lynn Redgrave (1943-2010)

€œI used to think of myself as a piece of rubber when I was a kid because I was kind of very shy and very - very emotional about things, but I kind of would bounce back.€

LYNN REDGRAVELynn Redgrave was a renowned member of the Redgrave acting dynasty which, for decades, graced the theatrical boards, cinema and television screens. Mother, Rachel Kempson and father, Sir Michael Redgrave would pass on their acting prowess to Lynn and siblings Vanessa and Corin. Lynn was the youngest of the trio but garnered much success throughout her career; twice Oscar-nominated, three times Tony-nominated, Emmy-nominated as well as receiving an OBE in 2001. Moreover, in 2010 she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. By the mid-1960s Lynn Redgrave had appeared on stage and in several films but it was her performance in 'Georgy Girl' (1966) €“ a key film of the "Swinging Sixties" €“ which brought her first Oscar nomination and also won her a New York Film Critics Award. 'Georgy Girl' reflected a British society experiencing a fluctuating change in terms of sexual freedom, woman€™s liberation and the ongoing class struggle. But Lynn wasn€™t first choice for the role of Georgy; it was in fact her sister Vanessa. After Vanessa turned the role down Lynn stepped in, bringing a warmth, wit and earthy charm to the €˜ugly duckling€™ role of Georgy; perfectly encapsulating an €˜innocent€™ on a journey of self-discovery in shifting times. After her success in 'Georgy Girl', Lynn Redgrave appeared regularly over the years on stage and screen both in Britain and the US. She starred in films such as 'The National Health' (1973), Woody Allen€™s 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex' (1972) and 'The Happy Hooker' (1975); and American TV shows such as 'House Calls' (1979). She enjoyed a critical cinematic renaissance in the 1990s when cast as Gillian, wife of pianist, David Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush) in the Oscar winning film 'Shine' (1996) and Hanna, housekeeper to retired filmmaker, James Whale (Ian McKellen), in the Bill Condon directed 'Gods and Monsters' (1998). Both roles found Lynn Redgrave€™s characters acting as surrogate mothers €“ echoing her role in 'Georgy Girl' €“ to two €˜tortured€™ artists. Similarly, both performances are filled with tenderness, honesty and humour. Her on-screen chemistry with Geoffrey Rush and Ian McKellen is extremely memorable €“ with Rush especially €“ where her €˜Earth Mother€™ persona beams like a big bright star. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, Lynn Redgrave continued to act while battling the illness. Unfortunately, on May 2nd 2010, she lost the battle and passed away, leaving behind two daughters and a son.