Tragic actress in long cancer battle

Redgrave starred in the 1960s hit film Georgy Girl and had many other successes on stage and screen.

Her publicist, Rick Miramontez, speaking on behalf of her children, said she died on Sunday night at her home in the US state of Connecticut.

In 2003, she was treated for breast cancer.

Her death comes a year after her niece Natasha Richardson died from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident and only a month after the death of her older brother, Corin Redgrave.

Mr Miramontez said Redgrave died peacefully at her home.

Children Ben, Pema and Annabel were with her.

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."

A member of the famous acting dynasty, Redgrave was sister to Vanessa and Corin and the daughter of actor and director Michael Redgrave. She was aunt to film and TV star Joely Richardson and to Natasha Richardson, who died last year following a ski accident.

Her brother Corin, an actor and political activist, died on April 6. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000.

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

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.

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

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

Redgrave was born in London on March 8, 1943, into a family of actors, the youngest child of Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson.

She 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 her father 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 have included The Jane Austen Book Club and the Merchant/Ivory production The White Countess, acting alongside sister Vanessa and her niece, the late Natasha Richardson.

Recent TV credits have included Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty.