Kempson, Rachel (1910–2003)
Kempson, Rachel (1910–2003)
British actress. Name variations: Lady Redgrave. Born in Dartmouth, Devon, England, May 28, 1910; died May 24, 2003, at her home in Millbrook, NY; dau. of Eric William Edward (headmaster) and Beatrice Hamilton (Ashwell) Kempson; studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; m. (Sir) Michael Redgrave (actor), 1935 (died 1985); children: Vanessa Redgrave (b. 1937); Corin Redgrave (b. 1939); Lynn Redgrave (b. 1942).
Matriarch of the family Redgrave, made stage debut as Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (Stratford, 1933); subsequently played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Ophelia in Hamlet; made London debut as Bianca in The Lady from Albuquerque (1933); with husband, joined Old Vic in London, where they appeared together in Love's Labour's Lost (1936); joined Shakespeare Memorial Theater Co. (1953), and appeared as Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Octavia in Antony and Cleopatra, and Regan in King Lear; portrayed Thea Elvsted in Hedda Gabler (1954); played numerous supporting roles in major London productions and on tour, but came into her own on tv (1960s), with roles in "Conflict," "Man and Superman," "Howards End," and "Uncle Vanya," among others; films include The Captive Heart (1946), A Woman's Vengeance (1948), Georgy Girl (1966), Out of Africa (1985) and Déjà Vu (1998).
See also autobiography Life Among the Redgraves (Dutton, 1986); and Women in World History.