
With sons Michael Richard, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12.
Natasha Richardson, a Tony Award-winning actress whose career melded glamorous celebrity with the bloodline of theater royalty, died Wednesday in a Manhattan hospital, where she had been flown suffering from head injuries after a skiing accident on Monday north of Montreal. She was 45 and lived in Manhattan and Millbrook, N.Y.

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

Natasha Jane Richardson was born in London on May 11, 1963. She made her first film appearance at the age of 4, playing a bridesmaid at the wedding of her mother's character in "The Charge of the Light Brigade," directed by her father.
She eventually moved to the United States, where "no one cares about the Redgrave baggage," as she once said. She gave her greatest performances there.
In the performance that made her a star in the United States, she played the title role on Broadway in a 1993 revival of "Anna Christie," Eugene O'Neill's grueling portrait of a waterfront slattern in confrontation with the abusive men in her life.

Her performance, nominated for a Tony Award, was vibrantly sensual, and her scenes with her co-star, Mr. Neeson, were acclaimed as sizzling and electric. The chemistry between them extended offstage as well; shortly after the run, Ms. Richardson separated from her husband, the producer Robert Fox. She and Mr. Neeson married in 1994.

Besides her husband, Ms. Richardson is survived by their two sons as well as her mother, her sister and a half-sister, Katherine Grimond.

A passionate advocate for AIDS research, Richardson (at an amfAR gala in New York City in February) became involved with the cause after her father died from the disease in 1991.
Ms. Richardson's more recent work has included more conventional Hollywood fare, including a remake of "The Parent Trap" (1998), the comedy "Maid in Manhattan" (2002) and the teen melodrama "Wild Child" (2008).
May Natasha and Liam's family and friends know that the world is still praying for them and their tragic loss. Natasha will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace.Â
NY Times, People