Actress Lynn Redgrave dies

The Redgrave acting family is today coming to terms with the loss of another key member after the death of Lynn Redgrave at the age of 67.

The star of 1960s hit film Georgy Girl, who had many other successes on stage and screen, died at her home in the US state of Connecticut. She fought a seven-year battle against breast cancer.

Redgrave was sister to Vanessa and Corin and the daughter of actor and director Sir Michael.

She was aunt to film and TV star Joely Richardson and to Natasha Richardson, who died last year following a ski accident.

Corin died on April 6. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000.

Redgrave's children Ben, Pema and Annabel were with her when she died, said publicist Rick Miramontez.

They said in a statement: "Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven-year journey with breast cancer.

"She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives.

"Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time."

Director Michael Winner, who cast Redgrave in one of her first movies, said she had been "a joy".

He said: "This is terrible news, I've known her for more than 50 years.

"She was a phenomenal actress, she could do comedy, tragedy - anything really - with absolute ease.

"I cast her in her first film as an extra in Shoot To Kill in 1960.

"Even then you could see she had a bubbly quality.

"I couldn't at the time have predicted she would go on to have the huge success she did though.

"She was a wonderful person and a brave woman involved in many causes.

"She wasn't facile - she didn't only care about fame."

Asked about her death coming so soon after that of her brother, Winner said: "Unfortunately these things often happen in batches."

Retired chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson expressed his sadness at the news.

He said: "She was maybe the jolliest and most likeable of all the family.

"She was a lovely, funny, open character, she was very easy to get on with.

"She was a good actress, but being a Redgrave I suppose she couldn't help it - it's in their blood, in their marrow.

"She had a great comedic talent."

Redgrave, the youngest child of Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, enjoyed a career spanning four decades, and was nominated for two Oscars, three Tony awards, two Emmys and a Grammy.

Her Oscar nominations were for Georgy Girl and Gods And Monsters.

She was a founding member of the Royal National Theatre and wrote four plays, including Shakespeare For My Father, which examined her relationship with Sir Michael Redgrave.

She also wrote Journal: A Mother And Daughter's Recovery From Breast Cancer, in 2005, featuring photographs by her daughter, Annabel Clark.

Recent film credits included The Jane Austen Book Club and the Merchant/Ivory production The White Countess, acting alongside sister Vanessa and niece Natasha Richardson.

Recent television credits included Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty.

In 2001 Redgrave was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.