Lynn Fontanne

Lynn Fontanne (6 December 1887 – 30 July 1983) was a celebrated British-born actress who made a profound impact on American theater for over four decades. Known for her dynamic partnership with her husband, Alfred Lunt, the couple became synonymous with theatrical excellence. Together, they were honored with a special Tony Award in 1970 and both received Emmy Awards in 1965, making history as the first married couple to win for portraying a married couple in "The Magnificent Yankee." In recognition of their contributions to the arts, Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre was named in their honor.

Born Lillie Louise Fontanne in Woodford, London, to a French father and an Irish mother, Lynn showcased her talent early on, earning critical acclaim for her role in George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly's farce, "Dulcy," in 1921. She became renowned for her performances in high comedy, particularly in works by playwrights like Noël Coward and S.N. Behrman. One of her notable successes was in Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude."

Fontanne and Lunt collaborated on 27 productions, including significant works such as "Design for Living," "The Taming of the Shrew," and "Idiot's Delight." Although she appeared in only three films, her performance in "The Guardsman" earned her an Academy Award nomination in 1931. Fontanne passed away at the age of 95 from pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greats of American theater, interred alongside her husband at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.