Vanessa Redgrave

Dame Vanessa Redgrave is an English actress with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her extensive contributions to the film and theatre industries, Redgrave has won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and an Olivier Award, making her one of the rare performers to attain the Triple Crown of Acting. She has also meant a tireless political activist throughout her life. Redgrave made her acting debut on stage in 1958 and rose to prominence playing in Shakespearean comedy with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She won numerous awards for various productions and made her film debut in the medical drama Behind the Mask in 1958. Redgrave is also part of a renowned family of actors, being the daughter of Sir Michael Redgrave and Lady Redgrave (Rachel Kempson), and mother of actresses Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson. She continues to be active in both film and theatre.

Besides acting, Redgrave dedicated much of her life to political activism. She is known for her membership in the Workers Revolutionary Party in the 1970s and for her candid criticism of the 'war on terrorism'. In 2017, she made her directorial debut with the acclaimed feature documentary Sea Sorrow about the European migrant crisis. This myriad of achievements in both the performing arts and social justice truly underscores the profound influence Redgrave has had throughout her illustrious career.