Lynn Fontanne was a renowned British actress of French and Irish descent, who spent most of her illustrious acting career in the United States, earning her a reputation as one of the greatest leading ladies of American theatre. She formed an acting duo with her husband Alfred Lunt, with whom she shared a long and successful partnership.
Born in 1887 in Woodford, Essex, which was then a suburb of London, Fontanne's parents were Jules Fontanne of French descent and Frances Ellen Thornley of Irish descent. She gained fame in 1921, at the age of 34, with her portrayal of the protagonist character Dulcy in the farce play "Dulcy" by George Simon Kaufman and Marc Connelly, and won acclaim as a comedy actress.
Fontanne became known for her witty roles, with roles specifically written for her by notable playwrights such as Samuel Nathaniel Behrman, Robert Emmet Sherwood, and Noël Coward. Her success continued with a leading dramatic role in "Strange Interlude" (1928) by Eugene O'Neill, in which she portrayed protagonist Nina Leeds, a woman who lost her original fiancé in World War I.
Fontanne made her film debut in the romantic comedy "Second Youth" and had her greatest success in the medium with the comedy "The Guardsman" (1931),for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her most notable theatrical success in the 1930s was the risqué play "Design for Living" (1933),involving bisexuality and a ménage à trois.
Fontanne continued performing as a stage actress until her official retirement in 1958, during which time she and Lunt introduced their new theatrical house, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. She continued appearing regularly in television until the mid-1960s, receiving an Emmy Award for her role in "The Magnificent Yankee" (1965) and being nominated for a second one for her role as Maria Feodorovna in "Anastasia" (1967).
Fontanne received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and continued living in retirement until 1983, residing in her summer home "Ten Chimneys" in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin. She was 95 years old at the time of her death, one of the oldest living actresses. Following her death, Ten Chimneys was converted into a house museum and social center for American theatre.
