UPDATE: Natasha Richardson, British actress and wife of actor Liam Neeson has died after sustaining a traumatic brain injury while skiing at Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec on Monday. Her death came on Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2009 in New York City.
Neeson, 56, rushed from the set of his latest movie in Toronto to be at his wife’s side at Hospital du Sacre’-Coeur de Montreal. The couple first met on the set of the movie Nell. They married in 1994 and had two sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12.
Richardson, in grave condition, was flown via private jet to a NYC hospital, accompanied by her family and a medical team. The medical facility is Lenox Hill Hospital, where a family vigil began on Tuesday afternoon. The New York Times reported that Natasha’s mother was seen entering that facility on Tuesday evening.
Several New York newspaper sources reported yesterday that the actress had been on full life support and was clinically brain dead. Liz Smith, famed NYC columnist, reported that Richardson has been taken off of life support, as of 1:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The family has issued 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.”
The 45 year old actress, who won a Tony award in 1998 for Cabaret, is survived by her mother Vanessa Redgrave and was preceded in death by her father Tony Richardson, a film producer, who died in 1991. She is also survived by a sister, Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson.
Richardson had a very success screen and stage career. She played the role of heiress Patricia Hearst in 1988 and co-starred opposite Lindsay Lohan in the 1998 film Parent Trap.
Family photos below. More photos here of Liam and Vanessa leaving the hospital after Natasha’s death.
Photos: WENN