Rachel Kempson

A prolific stage actor in her native England, Kempson worked very occasionally in films over nearly half a century and, especially in her later years, did much TV work as well. She is perhaps best known, though, as Lady Redgrave, matriarch of the prominent acting dynasty. Married to the gifted stage and screen star Michael Redgrave from 1935 until his death in 1985, Kempson mothered the similarly talented Vanessa, Lynn and Corin Redgrave and is also the grandmother of actors Natasha and Joely Richardson and Jemma Redgrave. Lynn and particularly Vanessa look strongly like her but, to give credit where it is due, Kempson has been more than a figurehead. Particularly in her rich stage credits, she has enjoyed a very distinguished career.