Pamela Sitt,
Mar 18, 2009
Actress Natasha Richardson has died, two days after suffering a brain injury in a skiing accident in Canada. She was 45.
The actress was taken off life support in a New York hospital Wednesday after being declared brain dead. She fell Monday during a private lesson at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec and was flown to New York on Tuesday.
See pictures of Natasha Richardson
Richardson was married to actor Liam Neeson, with whom she co-starred in the 1994 film Nell. The couple have two sons, ages 13 and 12. The family released the following statement:
"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 was born into a British acting dynasty that includes mother Vanessa Redgrave, aunt Lynn Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck). Her late father, Tony Richardson, was a director.
She has starred in films including The Parent Trap with a young Lindsay Lohan and Maid in Manhattan with Jennifer Lopez.
"She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own," said Lohan, who was 11 when she played Richardson's daughter in Parent Trap. "I will miss her."
Richardson was also an accomplished stage and television actress. She won a Tony award in 1998 for her lead performance in Cabaret.
