Natasha Richardson's Life and Dynastic Acting Family

Tributes pour in for actress Natasha Richardson Tributes have poured in for actress Natasha Richardson, who died in hospital last night after suffering a serious head injury in a fall at a Canadian ski resort. Theatre critics have hailed the 45-year-old star as a wonderful performer who handled the pressure of being in one of Britains great theatrical dynasties and made her own career on stage and in film. Richardsons husband, Irish actor Liam Neeson, and her family were shocked and devastated by her death which came after she fell while taking a supervised skiing lesson on a beginners run at the luxury Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec on Monday. Alan Nierob, Neesons publicist, said: 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. Neeson (56) Richardsons mother, Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave (72) and two sons, Michael (13) and Daniel (12) visited her after she was flown from Canada to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, where she died last night. Richardson, whose father director Tony died of Aids-related causes in 1991, was also on the board of the US-based charity amfAR, The Foundation for Aids Research. BBC film critic Quentin Cooper said it had taken many observers a while to realise the gravity of the situation. He told BBC News that the consequences would be devastating for Neeson and said Richardson had a wide range of achievements in her short life, from film and television roles to a hugely acclaimed production of Anton Chekhovs The Three Sisters in her 20s. Shes a very familiar figure right across the board, he said. He added there was a sense that, as she came from a dynasty, there was a lot to live up to, but went on: She was able to deliver and she had consistently proved herself to be comfortable and not feel she just had to do the big roles. She had the ability to stride on to a stage and really fall into a part. Theatre critic Michael Coveney said Richardson had a beautiful illustrious voice and was a wonderful performer. I always felt that we didnt see really enough of her, he told Sky News. She was quite careful about what she did. But what she did, she went into with a full heart and a passion. She was very discerning, very serious about the film roles she chose. Its absolutely tragic that somebody with so much to offer, and of course from this great acting dynasty, should be taken at this time of her life, and tragic of course for her family. Born in May 1963, Richardson was also the granddaughter of Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, the sister of actress Joely Richardson, and the niece of Lynn Redgrave. She was educated at St Pauls Girls School in London and trained at the citys Central School of Speech and Drama. She married Schindlers List star Neeson in 1994 after the pair met on the set of the film Nell. Her extensive experience on stage included a number of Shakespearean roles including Ophelia in Hamlet and Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream . In 1986 she won the London Drama Critics most promising newcomer award for her performance as Nina in The Seagull alongside her mother. She also won a Tony award for best actress in a musical for her performance as Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes production of Cabaret on Broadway in 1998.--Irish Times