Dame Nia Griffith MP has launched a call for Llanelli to celebrate the life and work of locally born, former Hollywood actress, Rachel Roberts.
With a little over a year to go until the centenary of the actress’ birth, the Member of Parliament for Llanelli said that it was important that her legacy was not forgotten.
Born on 20th September 1927, the daughter of a Baptist minister, Rachel Roberts starred in landmark films including Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) and This Sporting Life (1963) picking up two BAFTA Best Actress Awards and an Academy Award nomination along the way.
Other notable film appearances included Murder on the Orient Express, Picnic Rock and Yanks as well as performances in several well-known TV series in the US and UK and a stage career which included a Tony nomination for her part in Chemin De Fere (1974).
Starting life in Llanelli, Rachel went on to study at Aberystwyth University and RADA. As her rise to prominence accelerated, she married and then divorced fellow actor Rex Harrison, before relocating to Los Angeles. She lived there until her tragic death by suicide aged 53 in 1980.
Now, with the anniversary of her birth looming over the horizon, Llanelli’s MP Dame Nia believes this would be a perfect opportunity for the town to remember, celebrate and take pride in Rachel’s achievements.
Dame Nia said:
“Rachel Roberts was known the world over for her powerful presence on stage and screen and her ability to add depth, colour and meaning to every role she played. In the 1960s and 1970s she was a famous name that guaranteed full theatres and cinemas and someone who lit up the entertainment world wherever she went.”
“From her beginnings here in Llanelli, she utilised her background, her life experiences and her strength of character to rise to fame in the UK, US and beyond. With the centenary of her birth fast approaching, we have an ideal chance to mark her life and celebrate one of our own who left such an indelible impression on Hollywood and elsewhere.”
Dame Nia added:
“I would encourage anyone who had any interesting information on Rachel, connections to her and her family or with any memorabilia from her varied career to get in touch with my office. We can then begin to look at how we can work together to develop the best way to remember her and build upon her legacy in a way that will hopefully inspire local people to follow in her footsteps.”
The office of Dame Nia Griffith MP can be contacted via email on nia.griffith.mp@parliament.uk or by phone on 01554 756374.