With the news that 45-year-old actress Natasha Richardson had succumbed to a brain injury sustained during a fall on a Montreal ski slope, Broadway decided to pay tribute by dimming the lights on the Great White Way last night to commemorate Richardson’s accomplished stage career. Her husband, Liam Neeson, attended the touching ceremony and was seen being hugged by fellow Broadway vets Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. It’s becoming clear that Natasha Richardson touched a lot of lives during her short time here, evidenced by an outpouring of grief and support for her family that we haven’t seen since Heath Ledger died over a year ago.
Grieving Liam Neeson was held in a comforting embrace by actress Sarah Jessica Parker as the actor attended a touching tribute by New York’s theatreland to his late wife Natasha Richardson.
The Sex And The City star was among the luminaries of stage and screen who lined Broadway as theatres dimmed their lights in a minute long tribute to Neeson’s actress wife.
The star was hugged by SJP, and husband Matthew Broderick who both came out to show their support to one of theatreland’s own.
And despite Natasha’s strong British roots, the location of the tribute proved all the more fitting, as it was on Broadway that Neeson, 56, first met his wife of 15 years, when they appeared on stage together in 1992.
Liam and his wife’s family, including mother Vanessa Redgrave, arrived to witness the moving tribute to the actress.
At 8pm the lights of New York’s Broadway theatre district were dimmed for a minute in her honour.
The solemn crowd applauded as Broadway’s theatres dimmed their lights one by one.
The 45-year-old actress and mother of two died died two days after a fall on Monday on a beginners’ ski slope at the Mont Tremblant resort in Canada where she was holidaying with her two sons.
Neeson seen leaving his New York apartment last night to the tribute
The tribute to the British actress, who made her home in New York with her film star husband was a fitting reflection of the affection and the respect both she – and the theatrical dynasty she was a part of – was held in.
Miss Richardson appeared in more than 30 films but was best known for her stage work, winning a Tony Award for her performance in the musical Cabaret in New York.
She had been due to appear with her mother in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music.
Miss Richardson’s uncle, Corin Redgrave, led the tributes to his ’adorable’ and ‘generous’ niece.
‘I’ve been very, very sad all day and all night,’ he said.
‘She was adorable, Natasha, she really was, besides being, as we know, a marvellous actress. We shall miss her terribly.’
Stars of stage and screen paid tribute to Miss Richardson following her untimely death.
Sam Mendes, whose 1998 Broadway production of Cabaret saw Natasha win a Tony award for her portrayal of Sally Bowles said: ‘Natasha combined the best of Redgrave and Richardson: the enormous depth and emotional force of a great actor on the one hand, and the intelligence and objectivity of a great director on the other.
‘She was one of a kind, a magnificent actress.’
Actor Jeremy Irons was asked about the tragedy while appearing on The Today Show yesterday, and seemed to be blindsided by the question. Irons knew both Richardson and Neeson well and broke down in tears on the broadcast.
Jeremy Irons struggled to hold back the tears as he paid tribute to actress Natasha Richardson last night.
The veteran actor could not hide his pain as he spoke of the death of his friend following a skiing accident.
Asked about the tragedy, Irons – who knew Richardson after twice working with her husband Liam Neeson – initially just stared into the camera, seemingly at a loss for words.
He then said: ‘It’s … it’s… absolutely terrible.
‘It just reminds us how fragile life is. As a father and as a husband I feel for him [Neeson] – for the family – so, so much.
‘I suppose what I have to remember is that could happen to any of us at any time – so make the most of it.’
Good advice for all of us.
Simply heartbreaking.
Support is so necessary during the grieving process. It’s good they have comforting friends.
its so sad how with the littlest thing, it can take your life away in a moment… we should never take anything for granted in life.
Very fitting and very moving. I was really struck by Neeson’s dignity and strength in attending this tribute to Natasha, like he understood exactly how much her death has also touched and affected others, and putting that before his own personal grief.
that picture just brings me to tears .
Just devastating .
That last picture of them is so beautiful. When I read that he stayed by her (Natasha) side and just carressed her faced even though she was already gone, I was so touched. That’s love. So fitting.
I wish him, his sons and Natasha’s family and loved ones all the best.
This is still hard to grasp. Now I understand more of how Heath’s fans felt upon hearing of his passing. 🙁
So so very sad. My heart goes out to all who knew her. This story just brings me to tears.
You know, every photo I’ve seen of the two of them, she looks loke she is so in love with Liam.
I feel like I have lost someone very special to me… and I didn’t even know her.
What a fitting tribute.
My heart breaks for them. Ever since this happened I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.
“adorable” is a good way to describe her. every photo she just looks…well, adorable. and such a talented lady. such a sad story.
So sad – my heart goes out to the bereaved.
Last night I was watching (new-to-me) episodes of this past season of Top Chef. I was startled to see Natasha as a special guest judge for the anfAR episode. She was simply radiant – eeire to think of it now. . .
I can only echo everyone’s but particularly Geronimo’s comments. Neeson’s attendance at the tribune goes to the strength and dignity of the man.
I do feel for Jeremy Irons being put on the spot like that. It appears there was no forewarning, therefore tackiness knows no bounds.
Bad things happen to good people.
Like Heath Ledger’s death, this is one of those “What?!” moments that sticks with you. It’s strange that we do get so upset by the loss of people we never knew, but I guess that’s the thing–we feel like we DID know them. And I think that’s the mark of a truly talented performer.
I agree with Feebee about the Jeremy Irons interview–SO tactless, and unprofessional. Those types of shows ALWAYS do a brief rundown of the questions they plan to ask before they go on the air, so unless maybe Irons was running late for the interview and didn’t get that chance, the question was deliberately asked just to get an emotional response.
Everyone should watch Liam Neeson in, Love Actually. I have always loved that performance. If you watch it you will be equally moved, I promise. (His character plays a widower raising his late wife’s son…it is sweet and touching and they find laughter together.) He faces his own loss with dignity and strength.
I love that couple. She was breath-taking. Tash sure had good taste in shoes! With all the photos released she looks stunning and has sassy shoes on in every photo. She was a real lady.
In a time when the world questions the relationship between the Irish and the English given recent sad events, I salute the love I see in their eyes. May God hold you close.
i saw the news reports, and the videos of liam hugging sarah, rob, and matthew. so touching seeing the lights turn off one by one. you could see the grief on liam’s face, he’s so strong but you can see he’s dying inside. it will be some time before he can heal and move forward with his two sons.
my husband’s grandfather worked briefly with Liam Neeson on Rob Roy (as a consultant) and said he was such a kind, respectful, quiet man. he said one of the things he was very struck by was how deeply and obviously he loved his wife.
what a terrible tragedy. my heart just breaks for him, and for their sons.
so tragic.
but she did actually get the opportunity to star as Desiree in “A Little Night Music” in January with her mother, Vanessa Redgrave for a one night only benefit concert.
Heartbreaking. I heard Jason Ritter talk about how you have to try let go of the future you thought you were supposed to have. My heart just aches for Liam.