Joely Richardson — Biography

Joely Richardson, hailing from the heart of Marylebone, London, seems to possess a theatrical lineage as an inherent part of her being. Her father, director Tony Richardson, and mother, Vanessa Redgrave, both artists of acclaim, set a precedent. She counts Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson among her grandparents, Lynn Redgrave as her aunt, and Natasha Richardson, also an actress, as her sister. Her former husband, Tim Bevan, is a producer. Yet, the call of the stage wasn't immediate. As a child, while her elder sister Natasha was drawn to acting, Joely envisioned a future on the tennis court. Her father, however, intervened, decisively ending her aspirations in that sport. Though British by birth, she feels a strong connection to America, having completed her boarding school education at Thacher in Ojai, California. Her professional journey truly began in the 1980s, transitioning from minor roles in films like Wetherby (1985) to appearances in BBC productions such as Lady Chatterley (1993), and eventually to a prominent role in the Disney studio's venture, 101 Dalmatians (1996).