Lynn Redgrave Quotes

Powerful Lynn Redgrave for Daily Growth

About Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Rachel Redgrave (March 8, 1943 – March 2, 2010) was an accomplished English-American actress, playwright, and author, renowned for her versatile performances on stage, screen, and television. Born in Marylebone, London, to actor Michael Redgrave and actress Rachel Kempson, she was the older sister of actress Vanessa Redgrave. Redgrave's acting career began at an early age, making her professional debut at 17 in the film 'Ballet Shoes.' However, it was her role as Lola in the Broadway production of 'Call Me Madam' that marked her breakthrough in 1959. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, she continued to act in various stage productions, including 'The Knack... and How to Get It,' for which she received a Tony Award nomination in 1965. In 1973, Redgrave moved to the United States, settling in Connecticut, where she raised her children. Her American film career began in earnest with roles in 'The Great Gatsby' (1974) and 'Orders' (1986). However, it was her portrayal of Emily Watson in 'James Whale' (1982), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Redgrave's literary career flourished with the publication of her memoir 'Musings of a Confused Feminist' in 1974, followed by 'Shooting the Past' (1985) and 'In My Family: Two Sides of a Coins' (2006), a collection of essays exploring her family's rich history in theater. As a playwright, Redgrave wrote 'Nightingale Wards' (1983), 'Collected Stories' (1987), and 'The Misfits' (1996). The latter was based on her experiences with breast cancer and received critical acclaim. Redgrave passed away in 2010 from bone cancer, leaving behind a legacy as a gifted actress, insightful writer, and dedicated advocate for women's rights. Her quotes reflect her unique perspective on life, love, and the power of art: "The arts are not a frill or luxury; they are a necessity of the human spirit," and "I think the great thing about being an actor is that it forces you to look at yourself every day."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe that all of us came from stardust."

This quote by Lynn Redgrave underscores our cosmic interconnectedness and humility in the grand scheme of the universe. By stating "I believe that all of us came from stardust," Redgrave reminds us that every element within our bodies - including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and even iron - was once part of a star that exploded billions of years ago. This perspective encourages an appreciation for the interconnectedness of life on Earth with the universe, instilling a sense of wonder about our origins and fostering humility as we reflect on our place in the cosmos.


"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters."

This quote by Lynn Redgrave emphasizes the importance of personal happiness and enjoying life as a primary goal. It suggests that finding joy in our experiences, relationships, and pursuits is what truly matters in life. This perspective encourages individuals to prioritize their happiness and well-being, reminding us all to make time for the things that bring us pleasure and fulfillment.


"The past is a great teacher, but it's also a burden if you let it weigh you down."

This quote implies that while learning from our past experiences is valuable, dwelling on them excessively can hinder personal growth and prevent us from moving forward in life. Instead, we should use the lessons from our past to guide us as we continue our journey, rather than letting old memories hold us back. Essentially, it encourages balance between reflection and progress.


"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then forming a bridge."

This quote emphasizes that acting is not about transforming into a completely different person, but rather identifying the shared characteristics or common ground between oneself and the character being portrayed, and using those connections to create a believable representation. In other words, it's about finding the bridge that connects the actor to their character, which allows for a more authentic and relatable performance.


"Everything changes. People change, and friends drift apart, but you always have yourself and your humor."

This quote emphasizes the inevitability of change in human relationships, as people evolve, move apart, or grow distant over time. However, it also underscores the importance of maintaining one's sense of self and a good sense of humor during these changes. The enduring aspects of personal identity and humor can serve as constants in an ever-changing world, offering comfort and resilience.


I'm also doing constant book readings, movies. You name it, I'm doing it.

- Lynn Redgrave

Movies, Doing, Constant, Readings

So I - the thought that I would physically be different was - it's not a thrill, I have to tell you. It's kind of - it brings you up short. But I was able to look at it right away.

- Lynn Redgrave

Thought, Kind, Away, Right Away

I find love from time to time.

- Lynn Redgrave

Love, Time, Find, From Time To Time

He had Parkinson's disease for about, I'd say diagnosed for about 11 of the last years of his life. And treatment was not as good as it is now, of course. We're still going along and he died in '85 and he was 77.

- Lynn Redgrave

Disease, Still, Treatment, Diagnosed

God always has another custard pie up his sleeve.

- Lynn Redgrave

Always, Another, His, Sleeve

As an actor, particularly because I'm - I would call myself a character actor. I change my look, my physical appearance and my body, my hair color, my whatever all the time for a role.

- Lynn Redgrave

Color, Role, Particularly, Hair Color

And I also am very nervous about implants. You know, I'm just nervous about all that. So I could still do it. I could think about it. But I needed to adapt to myself.

- Lynn Redgrave

Think, Very, Still, Implants

And I would urge all women to have that regular mammogram.

- Lynn Redgrave

Would, All Women, Urge, Regular

But I don't want anybody to say have the right to say well if you bloody Brits don't like it go home. And they have the right to say that if you haven't become a citizen.

- Lynn Redgrave

Citizen, Go Home, Brits, Bloody

They have - they do still hit me occasionally, and it's an overwhelming grief for what - even though my life is so good now, even including going through treatment for cancer, my life is incredible.

- Lynn Redgrave

My Life, Through, Treatment, Overwhelming

I did become American citizen in order to vote. I lived in this country for a very long time and I finally reached the point where I thought, I'm often sticking my neck out on various issues as all human beings have a right to do.

- Lynn Redgrave

Thought, Country, Very, Vote

And so I was very grateful that I didn't do the British stiff upper lip, but I went straight to a therapist. And she was wonderful and helpful, and I went for about two years.

- Lynn Redgrave

Grateful, Very, Stiff, Helpful

And maybe that's being the third child, although my entire family are very resilient - very, very resilient.

- Lynn Redgrave

Very, Third, Although, Resilient

I don't want to have to say, Honey, you know, could you turn off the sports channel because I'm not a big sports fan, and I don't love the television being on just for the sake of turning on. I'd like turning on for some thing specific.

- Lynn Redgrave

Love, Big, Some, Sake

Well, right now, technically, I have no breast cancer.

- Lynn Redgrave

Now, Well, Breast Cancer, Cancer

It eats you up. It eats you up. And you have to - I had a lot of help. I had a lot of therapy. And I was able to - because it was hard, you know, to - you can't just lay it on friends and children.

- Lynn Redgrave

Therapy, Had, Lay, Eats

And yet, I suppose you mourn the loss or the death of what you thought your life was, even if you find your life is better after. You mourn the future that you thought you'd planned.

- Lynn Redgrave

Death, Thought, Your, Suppose

And I really also wanted to have the full-body scans to learn if it was anywhere else - and it wasn't - before I told them. So I didn't tell them, until for a week, and then I told them.

- Lynn Redgrave

Learn, Week, Before, Anywhere Else

I don't know how I dealt with it. I went to a shrink.

- Lynn Redgrave

Know, How, Shrink, Dealt

There were times after my marriage ended where, you know, I really felt like I was at the bottom of a mountain, there was a great big, fog up there, and I'm never going to cross to the other side.

- Lynn Redgrave

Big, Other, Times, Ended

I think - I think I've always been kind of - I used to think of myself as a piece of rubber when I was a kid because I was kind of very shy and very - very emotional about things, but I kind of would bounce back.

- Lynn Redgrave

Think, Always, Very, Rubber

I don't want to marry again. I did that.

- Lynn Redgrave

Want, Again, Did, Marry

I don't put off any time with my grandchildren. I don't put off a thing.

- Lynn Redgrave

Time, Any, Thing, Grandchildren

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.