Natasha Richardson: RIP

[3113]

OMG and WTF! She took this beginner's skiing lesson. Fell and hit her head, said she was fine, then later that she didn't feel fine. The news reported that the injury had turned out to be serious and she was in the hospital, but I'm sure no one expected this. How tragic!

Natasha Richardson, who upheld her lineage as part of one of the great acting dynasties by establishing an eclectic career in film, TV and theater, earning a Tony in 1998 for her performance in "Cabaret," died Wednesday in New York. She was 45. Her death, following a head injury she suffered Monday while taking a skiing lesson in Canada, was confirmed Wednesday evening in a written statement by Alan Nierob, the Los Angeles-based publicist for her husband Liam Neeson. Details about the cause of death were not released, but reports suggested that Richardson was removed from life support Wednesday.

"Liam Neeson, his sons and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," the statement said. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

At the time of the accident, which occurred at the Mont Tremblant resort north of Montreal, the actress experienced no immediate distress. After developing a headache about an hour later, she was taken first to a local hospital in Ste. Agathe, Quebec, and then was transferred to the Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal. On Tuesday, she was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, where her family, including Neeson and her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, gathered to keep vigil. For many, it was difficult to reconcile the news of such a seemingly random death with Richardson's vibrant presence that combined a polished bearing with a deep, throaty laugh.

..."Natasha Richardson was an extraordinary actress, not just for her beauty, lineage and talent but for her intelligence and fearlessness," Schrader said. "She was brave and smart. I was in awe of her from the time we first met and will miss her dearly."

Her screen roles ranged from a sexually enslaved woman in 1990's "The Handmaid's Tale," Volker Schlondorff's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's allegorical novel, to half of a separated couple reunited by their twins in Disney's 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap." More recently, she joined her mother in the autumnal drama "Evening," where the two played an onscreen mother-daughter pair. ...Richardson also collaborated on several projects with Neeson, whom she married in 1994 after an earlier marriage to British producer Robert Fox.

Full story here.

 

[Carnevil9]

Boy, she went downhill fast!

 

[S-Des]

One of my favorite actresses ever. When I see pics of Natasha in her 20's with her hair long and tied back in a pony-tail.....it's the image that pops in my mind any time I try writing a story about a beautiful woman. I can't put into words what it is about her, but she was the pinnacle of beauty to me. I also loved her acting. What a tragic loss to her family, which was by all reports one of the best Hollywood marriages around.

Too sad.

 

[impressive]

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I am deeply saddened to hear of this tragic loss. Natasha Richardson was such a fine actress on stage, as well as film. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform in a rendition of Tennessee Williams' "Streetcar" in NYC and she was so very good. Her beauty and talent will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to her family.

 

[rgraham666]

 

[Belegon]

My heart goes out to her family and friends.

 

[christabelll]

This is just awful.
I adored this woman as an Actress...."The Handmaids Tale" was my first introduction to her... I noticed that none of the "papers" even mention this movie....And I guess I don't follow who's who and doing what too well - Liam Neeson is her husband? My heart goes out to him and his family.

The world of theater and movies has been short changed with this loss.
Peace Sister Woman - You shall be terribly missed.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Among the many tributes I have been reading today about Natasha Richardson, Marc Peyser of Newsweek Magazine's is one that I really like. After meeting her for an interview while she was playing the lead in Cabaret (for which she won a Tony), he wrote:

Richardson seemed incapable of being fake. She was charming, disarming and almost fragile, smoking cigarettes and sharing stories of her boys, her life and how uncomfortable she got when celebrities visited her in her dressing room after the show.


Rest in peace, Natasha, you will not be forgotten.

 

[trysail]

As one who at one point or another has braved the slopes of Chamonix, Les Trois Valleés, Deer Valley, Alta, Killington, West Mountain, Courmayeur, Elk Mountain, Whistler, Seven Springs, Sugarloaf, Wintergreen, Val d'Isère, Brighton, Park City, Stratton and Oregon Ridge I can attest that the sport is not without risk— but what worthwhile endeavor is?

Requiescat in pace.


ETA: I particularly admire anyone who attempts to pick up the sport after the age of, say, 30. It's one thing when you're "young and stupid;" it's something else entirely when you've reached the age of discretion.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

The Associated Press just reported the results of the autopsy show that she died of an epidural hematoma which was caused by blood forming in the dura of the brain which caused pressure and irrevocable harm to it. She was, according to reports, brain dead on Tuesday but was flown to New York and kept on life support until her sons could come and see her before the life support was removed and she passed away.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

 

[Jack_Samuel]

She will be well remembered

 

[sadangel]

Thoughts and prayers to her family.

 

[3113]

These people do not miss a dirty trick, do they?

MILLBROOK — Members of the Topeka, Kan.-based baptist church said they are coming to Millbrook Sunday to protest Natasha Richardson's funeral. On it's Web site, Westboro Baptist Church said it plans to protest the funeral because Richardson supported research for a cure for AIDS. The small Kansas church has protested schools, colleges, churches, funerals and other venues

On Friday, local police said they are preparing for traffic and crowds Sunday, based on reports Richardson will be buried in a private ceremony near the family's Town of Washington home. State police 1st Sgt. Eddie Moore of Troop K said they have not been officially requested to provide security Sunday. However, based on published reports of plans for a funeral, the state police are making plans to deal with traffic and other concerns.

"We intend to be a presence in the area," he said Friday.

Lt. Doug Larkin of the state police said they are coordinating with the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office to be prepared for Sunday. "We are working with the sheriff's office to deal with any traffic concerns that may arise," he said.

Given the quiet nature of the town of less than 5,000 and the small number of major roads, crowds and traffic could be significant Sunday. A spokesman for the family has said he had no information about funeral arrangements. Richardson and husband Liam Neeson have been valley residents for more than 15 years.

 

[Samandiriel]

These people do not miss a dirty trick, do they?

fuckers. I'm sick over this. Her poor family. God she loved so much.

 

[Guest]

These people do not miss a dirty trick, do they?

Isn't it time someone with a rifle mistook Fred for a deer?