Natasha Jane Richardson, 1963-2009

Natasha Richardson, daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, wife of Liam Neeson, has died. Richardson fell while skiing near Montreal while her husband was filming a movie nearby. Richardson was taken to Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal after a brief fall. She appeared to be normal, but then fell ill fairly soon. An exact cause of death has not been released.

Richardson comes from a long line of acting veterans. Richardson was born in London, England, in 1963, where she later attended Central School of Speech and Drama. Richardson was mostly known for her stage work, which included many of the Shakespearean classics such as Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.

Richardson is twice married. Her first marriage was to Robert Fox, and it ended in 1993. She then married Liam Neeson, with whom she co-starred in the movie Nell, also starring Jodie Foster.

Richardson’s father, actor Tony Richardson passed away in 1991 from AIDS related causes. Natasha Richardson’s grandparents were Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. Her great-grandparents were Roy Redgrave and Daisy Scudamore.

The Redgrave-Richardson dynasty is one of the best known, and longest in acting history. Among their peers are the Barrymores, who date back to the 1850’s; and the Chaplins, who date back to about the same era.

Ms Richardson will be missed.