The son of an actor, Redgrave worked as a journalist and school teacher before debuting onstage in 1934; two years later he debuted onscreen, going on to specialize in cerebral roles. Thereafter he divided his time between stage and screen. Multi-talented, he has directed and written plays, and written novels, autobiographies, and a textbook. In 1959 he was knighted. He was married to actor Rachel Kempson and is the father of actors Vanessa, Lynn, and Corin Redgrave.