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Natasha Richardson: A simple skiing accident... a tragic loss
Friday, 20 March 2009
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“A twinkle and a sparkle have left the world,” lamented Michael Winner. Director Sam Mendes spoke of a “gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman” whose going “defies belief”. These were the tributes — and so many more — that flowed yesterday for the British actress Natasha Richardson who died in New York.
Distraught family and acting world mourn in disbelief Tragic skiing accident victim Natasha Richardson, her husband Liam Neeson yesterday and her aunt Lynn Redgrave outside Natasha’s New York apartment
While actors, directors, producers and television personalities shared their grief and shock, Broadway itself, following tradition, prepared to dim its marquee lights last night on behalf of all the fans anxious for a way to express their sorrow for the loss of Ms Richardson, who was only 45 and a mother of two, and for her grieving family.
After the release of a statement late Wednesday by the family confirming the death of Ms Richardson and evoking the “devastation” felt by her sons, her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and her husband, Liam Neeson, there was no further word yesterday on funeral arrangements for the actress who had lived in New York for many years.
Nor was there any official information as to the exact cause of her death that followed what had at first seemed like an innocuous tumble on Monday afternoon on the bunny slopes of a Quebec ski resort to which Ms Richardson had travelled with her two boys.
Word from the resort, Mont Tremblant, that she had fallen on the snow but not struck anything else left many unsettled: how could that end in such tragedy?
The New York Medical Examiner’s Office said last night that the cause of death was an “epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head,” confirming what had been widely reported: that she died following bleeding in the lining of her brain.
But questions over whether Ms Richardson’s death could have been avoided with swifter intervention were stirred by the head of the emergency medical response team that serves Mont Tremblant who told a Canadian newspaper he had sent an ambulance to Ms Richardson when she first fell but it had been turned away.
On Broadway, Ms Richardson will be remembered for acclaimed performances from her Tony Award winning run as Sally Bowles in the Mendes-directed revival of Cabaret to her roles in A Streetcar Named Desire (2005), Closer (1999) and Eugene O’Neill’s Anna Christie, in which her co-star was Liam Neeson. It was after that production, when they virtually courted on stage before rapt audiences, that the couple came together and married.
And while Ms Richardson, a fourth-generation member of one of Britain’s greatest theatrical dynasties, had a reputation for sometimes eschewing big Hollywood parts that might have assured her wider fame, her film oeuvre was also deep and varied, ranging from Nell to The Comfort of Strangers and Patty Hearst.
“The Broadway community is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our finest young actresses, Natasha Richardson. Her theatrical lineage is legendary, but her own singular talent shined memorably on any stage she appeared,” said Charlotte St Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, the trade organisation for Broadway theatres and producers.
Jane Fonda, currently on Broadway, recalled meeting her on the set of Julia, in which she co-
starred with Ms Redgrave, back in 1977. “She was a little girl but already beautiful and graceful. It didn’t surprise me that she became such a talented actor. It is hard to even imagine what it must be like for her family. My heart is heavy.”
They kept her alive to bring her back to New York, so that the boys could say goodbye
Dame Judi Dench spoke of her “luminous quality” and voiced the certainty that her career would have risen to still greater heights had she been spared.
“I have no doubt about it.” Dame Judi said.
“It’s just so shocking, really shocking, and I hope that everybody leaves the family quietly to somehow pick up the pieces.”
Yves Coderre, director of medics at Mont Tremblant, confirmed that when first dispatched to the slopes, his staff had been turned away and had not even seen Ms Richardson. Assistance was finally sought an hour later after she had been escorted to her hotel room. At that time, he said, she was still conscious but “wasn’t in good shape” as she was rushed to a local hospital. From there she was taken to a larger facility in Montreal before being flown to Lenox Hill hospital in New York on Tuesday.
Joan Rivers, the comedian, told Larry King on CNN that she had been told even then that the actress was brain dead and beyond the point of possible recovery. “And I was told, which is, again, so dear, that they kept her alive purposely to bring her back to New York, so that the boys could say goodbye to her,” she said.
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Comments
39 Comments
Nothing will replace a lost love, a love held so deeply.
Holding tightly, memories that bring comfort may be all that can be done.
Allowing time to caress your pain, and sharing memories,
until a measure of happiness, finds a way to gently support you
I lost some one close to me, & its taken two years for some normality to find me again.
my thoughts are with you, as are those of so many...
Posted by sheila | 06.09.09, 17:36 GMT
Dear Familey and friends,
I am a huge fan of Liam and Natasha's work, i love watching the diversity of your work.
No words can describe what you are going through even now months on from you losing your beloved Natasha, I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I will always remember her and will always be a fan.
xxxxxxx forever in my thoughts
Posted by melanie hill | 12.08.09, 20:04 GMT
Dear Mr. Neeson,
Your performances have touched our hearts.
Now your pain has touched us deeply.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Posted by Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera | 27.05.09, 06:02 GMT
To the family of Natasha Richardson, husband Liam, sons and mother: This Grief, it is heavy, thick and opaque, senseless and impossible. The love, legacy and hope is in the children that are living and share the spirit and genetic being of their mother and father. May your lives be rich in love, laughter and honor the mother and wife that Natasha embodied so well. May your suffering be illuminating as to what is most precious on this earth. Please live fully to honor your mother and wife and become the best people you can become. Your fear, loss, confusion, changes and depth of love are the common denominator in all our lives.
May you find peace through healthy endeavors.
Posted by Antonietta | 08.05.09, 19:26 GMT
i couldnt believe when i heard this , i was in tears :(
such a lovely women , its devistating that this happened.
you have my love and prayers for you and your son to pull thru and stay strong through these difficult times.
god bless you all XXXXX
Posted by mike | 18.04.09, 16:59 GMT
Liam& Family- Our hearts and prayers are with you - To lose a beautiful person as lovely as Natasha. The Lord gave her to you and the wonderful memories . When it was time for her to go home- He wanted you to remember the love she bestowed in your hearts and the qualities she instilled. She will always be in your heart and your son's. Angels are all around us- and so will she. When you see the love and the hurt even tho you didn't know this family personally, you still have heartfelt sympathy and would like to let the family know they are in your prayers and you feel their pain to let them know- God Bless you and your family! Stay close to the Lord in prayers!
Posted by Nancy Armstrong | 28.03.09, 18:37 GMT
When will it ring, I wait each day
the small screen bears no name
keep ringing let me know your fine
The screen is blank , you never came,
Ill wait to hear your voice again,
Just one call to let me know,
that you are safe , will watch over us,
And then Ill let you go.
This modern world can do such things
To keep us close forever,
Dont need a cell phone to remember you.
As your in my heart forever.... hope Liam likes the words xxx
Posted by Donna from Glasgow | 27.03.09, 15:34 GMT
Dear Mr. Neeson,
I am only one of many fans, and the reason it has taken me so long to write is because all of this movie star stuff can get so trite and foolish. But you and your family have been such a good example of how we all should behave. And I have been moved to tell you how touched I am by your bravery. I send you heartfelt condolence. I am so sorry for your loss. Know that a thousand prayers have been sent on your behalf and mine are among them. Thank-you for behaving in such a generous manner . I shall try to remember and follow your example when lifes' twist and turns. Thank-you for giving dear Natasha's organs away. She must be soooo proud. I know she is hugging you from heaven. These pages are for us to "get it out" but I will do my best to remember you and Natasha's charities, and work harder at my own. Your sharing so Publicly your grief and mourning gives me an example to follow and comfort as I face my own lifes' losses. May God Bless You and Keep You.
Posted by Karen Churchill-Hairston | 27.03.09, 15:22 GMT
Mr. Neeson, I am still shocked and deeply sad over the death of your beautiful and talented wife. She was a terrific actress and a very classy, gentle lady. I will miss seeing more of her diverse acting skills. My deep sympathy to you, your children, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Suzanne Moreno | 24.03.09, 03:11 GMT
May she rest in peace.
Posted by Ann Murphy | 22.03.09, 21:39 GMT
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. Your life will never be the same again but it will be henceforth enriched by the sole fact that Natahsa was in your life. Let family and friends comfort you. Let God console you and heal you.
Posted by Sarah | 22.03.09, 11:22 GMT
She was a remarkable woman and a remarkable actress who didnt get nearly enough good roles and whos best film roles were yet ahead of her. Her cinema presence will be missed, she was a class act and Liam was a truly a blessed man for the time that she was in his life. slumdog millionaire box office
My thoughts and prayers go out to Liam and his children and to Mrs. Redgrave, Natashas mother, no mother should ever have to bury her child.
Posted by stephen voss | 22.03.09, 00:21 GMT
My deepest sympathies to the family. God will help you through this.
Posted by Judy | 21.03.09, 23:46 GMT
I want to let the family of Natasha know that my prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. God has her in Heaven and I bet she will alwasys be your Guardian Angel forever.
Jeri
Posted by rosiesophia77@gmail.com | 21.03.09, 20:09 GMT
We send our very deepest sympathy to the family of Natasha Richardson. She wwill always be lovingly remembered as a great treasure to the world of the theatre and a truly wonderful daughter, wife and mother of two very special boys. Her legacy and great talent, as a member of two extraordinary acting families, will live on forever.
Posted by Joan and Carl Lawrence | 21.03.09, 05:16 GMT
we were so saddened and sorry to hear of the tragic death of Natasha. our thoughts are with Liam and the boys and this Sunday wont be a happy mothers day for them. hope they all find strength and comfort in the prayers that are for them.
Posted by alexandra ball | 20.03.09, 17:53 GMT
To Liam and family,
If you should read this please know that millions who do not 'know' you certainly feel your pain and wish to carry you with love through this nightmare. We could see the love you felt for each other and feel terrible. Nothing seems adequate to console you over the loss of your beloved Natasha. The world has less light and beauty. Hugs to all of you in pain.
Posted by Rebecca Janelli | 20.03.09, 05:13 GMT
I am so sorry for you loss, no words can I say can heal your pain. Please know that you and your family are in prays.
Posted by Gina | 20.03.09, 04:08 GMT
I've ever done this before, but i feel sad because of your loss. And i have felt the need of telling you, even you would never read it. I send you all my support, my most deeply condolence and hope you'll be able to gather all strenght you need, and your family need, to go through this and raise again to honor her the way she have deserved.
Posted by JOSE LUIS JOLO | 20.03.09, 02:30 GMT
Another shining star none of us have ever met is soaring with the angels. Yes it is desperately sad but tragedies like this and Goody happen every minute of every day. Do you people just walk the streets wringing your hands and wailing all day? Or is it just celebrities you care about?
Steve: "Writeing this is tough, seeing through the tears", tell me thats sarcasm...
Posted by kwilson | 19.03.09, 22:01 GMT
39 Comments