A Celebration of Women™
is inspired to share the memory of a wonderful woman that devoted her Life to family, taking a much less public viewing than that of her family and creating scenes of emotions in her plays, films and television; born 100 years ago today.
We offer this Tribute as a Memory of a Life Lived to its Fullest.
Born a CENTURY AGO….today
Rachael Kempson
The matriarch of one of theatre and film’s most famous acting dynasties took rather a back seat to the attention placed on several of the others.
Born on May 28, 1910, in Dartmouth, England, Rachel Kempson trained at RADA and made her professional stage debut at Stratford in 1933 playing Hero in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” She went on to grace other famed companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English Stage Company and the Old Vic.
She married actor Michael Redgrave in 1935 and became Lady Redgrave when Sir Michael was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.
Their three children grew to become celebrated acting icons of their own:
Vanessa Redgrave,
Corin Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave.
Over the years, the precedence of being a wife and mother strongly overruled her career ambitions.
1946
On stage, she co-starred with Sir Michael in a number of plays including:
She also appeared on film alongside several different family members, including her husband in:
Lynn Redgrave, Georgy Girl
- Ms Kempson’s TV debut was in Jane Eyre in 1970 and she went on to play Lady Manners in The Jewel in the Crown in 1984.
- In 1986, Lady Kempson wrote her autobiography “Life Among the Redgraves” in which she detailed her loving but difficult marriage with Sir Michael.
Kempson’s 1986 memoir, “Life Among the Redgraves”
was published by Dutton.
Their marriage endured, however, until his death in 1985, four months before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Today, the family’s acting legacy has continued to expand into the next thriving generation. Grandchildren Natasha Richardson, Joely Richardson and Jemma Redgrave are all prominent actors. In addition to her children, Lady Redgrave is survived by 10 grandchildren — including the noted actress Natsha Richardson, Vanessa’s daughter –
Natasha Richardson, Actress
(married Liam Neeson)
– and 11 great-grandchildren.
Her son, Corin, said she would be remembered as
“shiningly beautiful woman in face and in spirit”.
Lady Kempson died suddenly of a stroke at age 92 while staying at granddaughter Natasha’s home in Millbrook, New York.
Family History
She was the daughter of Eric William Edward Kempson and Beatrice Hamilton Ashwell. She married Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave, son of George Ellsworthy Redgrave and Margaret Scudamore, on 18 July 1935. She died on 24 May 2003 at age 92 at Millbrook, New York, U.S.A. Rachel Kempson was educated at St. Agnes Convent, East Grinstead, Sussex, England. She was educated at Colchester County High School, Colchester, Essex, England. She was educated at Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Art, London, England.
She wrote the book A Family and its Fortunes, published 1986, an autobiography.
Was a great friend of actress Vivien Leigh.
A Celebration of Women™
sends our
Love and Prayers…
A Life Worth Celebrating!
Rest in Peace,
Brava Lady Kempson-Redgrave
Rachel Kempson – WOMAN of ACTION™ Tribute
May 27, 2010 by
