Eva Le Gallienne

British-American actress, teacher, counselor and director. As a child she saw a stage performance and set her goal for theater. Performing from the age of 16, she was called brilliant by the critics even though she received little success with the public as a performer.

Primarily teaching and counseling, she became the director of the New York Civic Repertory from 1926-1932. In 1946 she founded the American Repertory Theater.

Le Gallienne was nominated for an Academy Award as best supporting actress for her performance in Resurrection in 1980. She received a special Tony Award in 1964, the Norwegian Grand Cross of the Royal Order of St. Olav and in 1968 she received the National Medal of Arts from President Reagan.

She is also the author of two volumes of memoirs, a children’s book and a study of Eleonora Duse.

A lesbian, she lived with her companion on a Connecticut farm when not on tour. Known as the "Grande Dame of American Theater," she died of heart failure on 3 June 1991 at age 92 in Weston, Connecticut.