Sir Ian Mckellen has voiced his devastation following the death of Lynn Redgrave – calling her a "dear girl", "a good friend" and a "marvellous" actress.
The Oscar-nominated Georgy Girl star passed away on Sunday night (02May10) at her home in New York – just a month after the death of her brother Corin.
McKellen last saw Lynn at Corin’s funeral last month (Apr10), and admits he was stunned to see his longtime pal looking sick and frail in a wheelchair.
He says, “It was a shock to see her in a wheelchair. She was the first to speak and as she got up, helped by friends, she stumbled and knocked over a candle and in a wonderful theatrical gesture, she included that bit of clumsiness and said, ‘Things happen’. And I thought she was also drawing her friends’ attention to what was happening to her… that she was dying. But her voice was strong and she was getting her laughs.”
And the Lord of the Rings star has praised Redgrave for her strength of character, her acting ability and her friendship over the years.
He adds, “She battled against so many things privately, a difficult marriage, her cancer, her weight. She stood up for all sorts of things.
“It’s not easy to be the youngest child in a great acting dynasty. Her parents were both wonderful actors and so was her elder sister (Vanessa) who became the star. Lynn was the plodding worker.
“She was always so open and a dear girl. I’ve missed her, I’ve always tried to see her when we were in the same country… She was a lovely girl and a good friend. But for people who didn’t know her she was an actor who did some marvellous performances.”
