Tragedy Strikes as Natasha Richardson Passes Away at 45

A spokesman for the family of Natasha Richardson says the actress, who had been critically injured in a ski accident, has died. 

Alan Nierob of Rogers & Cowan said in a statement Wednesday night: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Richardson's family was with her at Lenox Hill Hospital, her relatives continued an emotional vigil by her bedside all day Wednesday before she died. Richardson was 45 years old.

Family members had gathered at the New York City hospital where the Tony-winning actress was taken with a serious head injury after falling on a Canadian resort ski slope.

Neeson had immediately left the Toronto set of his upcoming movie, "Chloe," to be by her side in Montreal, a publicist for the film said in a statement.

Nearly 24 hours after Richardson took a fall that a Tremblant spokesperson said looked harmless enough, media reports had varied widely concerning her condition with a few saying she was brain dead and one sadly claiming she passed away from her injuries.

Richardson was the wife of Liam Neeson, and the daughter of legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave. She had two sons with Neeson.

Richardson made her feature film debut as Mary Shelley in Ken Russell's "Gothic" (1986). Her performance caught the attention of director Paul Schrader, who cast her in the title role in "Patty Hearst" (1988), In 1995 she co-starred with Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson in "Nell" (1994) and, in 1998, in "The Parent Trap" (1998) with Dennis Quaid. Her recent films include "Blow Dry" (2001) released in 2001, and Ethan Hawke's "Chelsea Walls" (2001).

Natasha Richardson won the 1998 Tony Award for her celebrated performance in the Roundabout Theater Company revival of Cabaret and was also Tony-nominated for her starring role in the revival of Anna Christie. Other Broadway credits include Closer and A Streetcar Named Desire.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel reported in his 'On Broadway' column last month that the mother and daughter team of Vanessa Redgrave and Natasha Richardson had such a wonderful time performing in the Roundabout gala benefit reading of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" last month that they were hoping to team up again for a full-fledged revival on Broadway next year.

All of us here at BroadwayWorld.com are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss. Our thoughts are with the entire Neeson, Redgrave and Richardson families.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.