It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight months since the shocking ski accident that led to the death of celebrated actress Natasha Richardson. For the first time, Natasha’s younger sister, actress Joely Richardson, has spoken publicly about the loss. The “Nip/Tuck” star is currently promoting her work in the Showtime series “The Tudors” and was asked about her sister’s death. She responded by saying that she coped by throwing herself into work.

Eight months after the death of her beloved sister, Joely Richardson has revealed how she threw herself into work to cope with the loss.

Miss Richardson, 44, spoke of the tragedy for the first time since Natasha died after a skiing accident, aged 45.

‘We were such opposites, but completely enmeshed in each other,’ she said.

Miss Richardson went back on set the day after her sister’s funeral as she was in the middle of filming the BBC’s new version of The Day of the Triffids. She then moved on to playing Catherine Parr in The Tudors.

She said: ‘A strange autopilot kicks in; your psyche puts your work day into a different compartment from your private life. I’m not kidding – my first shot back on set was reacting to someone dying.’

But she told Tatler magazine this week that she is finally in the mood ‘for a big travel somewhere’.

She is also moving to New York with her daughter Daisy for two months to be closer to Natasha’s sons, Micheal, 14, and Daniel, 13.

Miss Richardson spoke of her shock at her sister’s death, saying: ‘I hadn’t lived a day in my life without her. You worry about your children and your elders, but I never imagined such a thing as this. Tash was a given to me.

‘The shock shatters you on a cellular level, and it takes time for the pieces to come back together, albeit in a different formation.’

Natasha died while on holiday with her children in Canada. She fell and hit her head during a skiing lesson on the nursery slope at the Mount Tremblant resort and sustained a serious head injury.

Her husband, actor Liam Neeson, flew her to hospital near their home in New York, where she died on March 18.

Miss Richardson, who is dating Russian businessman Evgeny Lebedev, revealed how the sisters were particularly close after sharing a bohemian childhood with their unconventional parents, actress Vanessa Redgrave and the late Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson.

Miss Richardson said: ‘So much of what I am is who Tasha was, and I think, sharing all those formative years, there is level of merging. . . I cannot imagine that there will ever be a day when I don’t think of Tasha.’

When asked if she is coming to terms with Natasha’s death, Miss Richardson replied: ‘I don’t look at happiness as being a great goal. A sense of peace, definitely, but it’s like the seasons.

‘I think we’re meant to have a spring, summer, autumn and winter. I’m not looking for a perpetual summer because that would be a flat line.’

[From The Daily Mail]

It has to be devastating to lose a sibling, and it sounds like Joely and Natasha were very close. It will be nice for their children to be near one another for support, especially during the holidays. I know from experience how tough the holidays are after a loss. You keep wondering how different it would be if that loved one were still here.

Natasha Richardson’s husband, actor Liam Neeson, has had similar coping mechanisms to Joely’s: he, too, reported back to work soon after the accident. I think it’s a fairly common reaction to loss: the need to return to some aspect of a normal life. Back in August, Neeson revealed that the family had been encouraged by an outpouring of condolence letters and cards from fans. It was one of the main reasons he decided to apply for American citizenship.

Even in death, actress Natasha Richardson continues to be a class act. A new report in People magazine says that the family of the actress asked that her organs be donated to others in need- an act that, according to friends, was “very Natasha.”

As the loved ones of Natasha Richardson continue to mourn, a family decision made in the wake of the Tony-winning actress’s sudden death March 18 has brought a measure of comfort: After Richardson was taken off life support at Manhattan’s Lenox Hill Hospital, her family requested that her organs be donated to other patients whose lives they might save.

Organ donation “is very Natasha,” a family friend says in the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. “She spent so much time fighting the stigma of AIDS; someone like that would naturally donate her organs. At least by donating her organs something good could come out of [the tragedy].”

Richardson, 45, died after falling during a ski lesson at a Canadian resort on March 16. An autopsy performed in New York City showed that a blow to her head had caused a fatal epidural hematoma, bleeding between her brain and her skull.

‘Liam Doing Okay‘
In the days since Richardson’s death, her husband of 14 years, actor Liam Neeson, 56, and the couple’s sons Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12, have shown remarkable public poise in dealing with the tragedy. “Liam is doing okay,” says family friend Blaine Trump. “It takes a while to absorb this. But he says the family needs to move forward. They will take it one step at a time.”

The Irish actor was expected to return to work on the Toronto set of his upcoming drama Chloe, and the boys were headed back to school. “With good friends by their side,” says Trump, “they will get through the tough days ahead.”

[From People]

It’s quite easy to become an organ donor- in most states, you can fill out the authorization form when you get your driver’s license renewed- and it’s a wonderful way to help others who are on waiting lists for much needed transplants after you’re gone. Currently, there are more than 100,00 patients in the U.S. awaiting urgently-needed organ transplants. It’s such a great thing that some kind of positive story could come out of such a senseless tragedy.

As for Natasha’s family, all I can say, after experience a sudden loss of my own recently, is that you have to take it one day at a time, and don’t let anyone else tell you how you should be grieving right now. Everyone has a different way to cope. Also, not everyone is going to have the same timetable for their grief. Each family member needs to be free to process this on their own terms. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Out of respect for the family, we have chosen not to publish any paparazzi photos of people paying their respects at this difficult time. Photo credits: WENN.com

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.’

[From The Daily Mail]

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.’

[From The Daily Mail]

Good advice for all of us.

Natasha Richardson, who fell during a skiing lesson at a Quebec resort, has passed away after suffering severe brain trauma. She left the lesson laughing off her injury, but later complained of a headache and was rushed to the hospital, where her injury caused her to lose brain function. Her family chose to take her off of life support at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, and she passed away a few hours later. She was 45 years old. The family has released this 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.”

[from TMZ]

Natasha was named after a character in Tolstoy’s War and Peace, and had her acting debut at 4 in her father’s movie The Charge of the Light Brigade. Her acting credits are varied and include those on the stage, in film, and on television. She was a versatile and talented actress as well as activist – she became very involved in charity work to find a cure for AIDS after her father died of the disease.

Natasha’s mother is the legendary Vanessa Redgrave; her husband is Liam Neeson and her sister is actress Joely Richardson. Natasha is also survived by her two sons, Micheál Richard Antonio, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12.

Out hearts and thoughts go out to her family and friends after this terrible tragedy.

Natasha Richardson is shown with her mom, Vanessa Redgrave, in the header on 1/12/09. She is also shown with her husband, Liam Neeson, on 10/17/08. All photos are from 2006 – 2009 and are credit WENN.com

Yesterday, there were a flurry of reports claiming that actress Natasha Richardson had died as a result of head trauma sustained on a Montreal ski slope. Those reports were untrue – but the news is not good. People magazine, a much more credible source than Time Out New York or TMZ, is reporting this morning that Natasha’s injuries are beyond recovery, and she was moved from a Montreal hospital to New York in order for her family to say good bye. Her husband, children and family are with her now, holding a bedside vigil. TMZ published photos of a very distraught-looking Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha’s mother, entering the hospital.

As Natasha Richardson remained in a New York hospital, her family and friends had all but given up hope that she’ll recover from a severe head injury.

“There is no chance,” a family friend told PEOPLE on Tuesday night. “It is a fact that her heart is beating but she is brain dead.”

Her dire condition – doctors described it to those close to Richards as “leakage of blood between the brain and skull,” the friend says – has the actress’s family coming to grips with potentially having to make an unthinkably difficult decision. “It’s not official yet,” says the friend, “but they basically will detach her.”

Richardson, 45, the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave, suffered a devastating head injury Monday while skiing on a beginner’s slope outside Montreal during a trip with at least one of her two sons. Her husband, Liam Neeson, 56, raced from a Toronto movie set to be with her as she was hospitalized.

On Tuesday evening, a private jet brought them both to New York, where family and friends gathered for a vigil. Reps for the family have declined to comment on Richardson’s medical condition.

[From People]

Natasha Richardson leaves behind a wonderful body of work for fans to cherish. Part of what has been called the “Redgrave Dynasty” of actors, her mother is screen and stage legend Vanessa Redgrave, her late father was famed London stage actor Tony Richardson. Her aunt is Lynn Redgrave, and her sister, Joely Richardson is also an actress. Natasha made her film debut as Mary Shelley in the movie “Gothic” in 1986. Other films include the title role in “Patty Hearst,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Parent Trap” remake and of course “Nell,” the film in which she met her husband, actor Liam Neeson. The couple wed in 1994 and have two children, Michael and Daniel. Richardson shifted her career in recent years from film and television to the stage, which she has said was her first love. She played Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of “Cabaret,” for which she won a Tony Award in 1998. She also starred in the stage version of “Closer,” which was made into a movie starring Julia Roberts.

Our condolences go out to her family and friends, who must be absolutely devastated by this news.

Natasha Richardson is pictured with her husband, actor Liam Neeson, at a film opening last October; with her mom, Vanessa Redgrave, with her two sons, Michael and Daniel, at a Broadway opening last November, and in her last theatrical appearance, “A Little Night Music,” in January of this year. A beautiful, bright star has been dimmed. Photo credits: WENN.

Reports from other sources stating that Natasha Richardson had died from the injuries she sustained in a skiing accident are not confirmed. Until they are confirmed by her family or publicist, we won’t report it. Here’s the reason: Earlier today, Time Out New York posted that Natasha had died, but just moments later, the story was removed from their web site, with a replacement story that the actress had been declared brain dead. However, TMZ reported at the same time that the actress was not brain dead, and was being transferred to a New York City hospital to be treated for swelling of the brain. The site claims that the Montreal hospital confirmed that she is still alive and being moved.

UPDATE 2:00 PM ET — The hospital tells TMZ Richardson is sedated and suffering from brain swelling — but is not brain dead.

UPDATE: 1:37 PM ET — We’re told Richardson’s jet was scheduled to take off from Montreal-Trudeau Airport. A rep for the airport said the jet is either still there or has just taken off.

We’re told Natasha Richardson has been transported from the hospital in Canada via ambulance. CTV says she boarded a private jet — we do not know where the jet has gone, but we believe it’s New York City.

Richardson was accompanied by a medic team for the flight.

[From TMZ.com]

I’m sure all the news outlets are in a big race to get the scoop on this, but let’s remember that this is a human being with a family here. Falsely reporting on someone’s death, or reporting that death prematurely before the family has even been notified, are horrible things to do for the sake of selling a newspaper. Who would have thought that TMZ would be the outlet with the cooler head in this situation? As soon as we get credible confirmation on Natasha’s condition, we will give an update – but not a minute sooner.

Our thoughts and good wishes go to Natasha and her family.

Natasha Richardson and her mother, stage/screen legend Vanessa Redgrave. Photos: WENN.

Natasha Richardson was critically injured in a skiing accident in Montreal on Monday, suffering traumatic brain injuries. Liam Neeson, Natasha’s husband of fifteen years, flew immediately from Toronto, where he was filming the movie Chloe, to be with her at the hospital. She was originally taken to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien, and then transferred to Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal.

IrishCentral.com has learned exclusively that famed actress Natasha Richardson, the wife of Irish superstar Liam Neeson, has been critically injured in Canada, according to an insider at the Montreal hospital to which she was taken.

Richardson, who was set to co-star with her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” was apparently injured in a ski accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

A rep for the film “Chloe,” which Neeson has been filming in Toronto, told Canadian television that Neeson left the set to be with his wife.

“Liam Neeson left the Toronto set immediately to fly to Montreal upon news of his wife’s accident,” the rep said in a statement. “We do not have any details at this time but we hope for the best and our thoughts and prayers are with Natasha and Liam and their family.”

Richardson made her feature film debut as Mary Shelley in Ken Russell’s “Gothic” (1986). Her performance caught the attention of director Paul Schrader, who cast her in the title role in “Patty Hearst” (1988).

[from Irish Central]

There is no information yet as to how severe the brain injury is, or whether she is expected to recover. Natasha, the mother of two children with Liam Neeson, was scheduled to star with her mother Vanessa Redgrave in a revival of the Sondheim play A Little Night Music. Our hearts go out to her and her family.

Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson are shown on 10/17/08 at the London Film Festival. Credit: WENN.com