Natasha Richardson
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Natasha was very involved in AIDS research through amFar, prior to her death in March. Stone was close friends with the actress, and wanted to show respect to her during the annual Cinema Against AIDS fundraiser.
An emotional Stone told the audience, "This year we lost an angel from our amfAR family. It was one of those random events that leaves you in a state of shock and profound grief. In March, the funny, graceful Natasha Richardson was taken from us.
"People say, 'Oh, she can't really have been that great or graceful.' She was. 'That funny, charming, sweet and elegant.' She was. She left behind her husband and two stunningly beautiful children and an unfinished mission to help us find a cure for AIDS."
A short film was screened, highlighting the work Richardson did for the charity. Stone pledged $50,000 in honor of Natasha, and then Annie Lennox took to the stage to perform Talking To An Angel, which she dedicated to the late star's memory, saying: "That was for Natasha."
It’s still so hard to believe Natasha Richardson is gone. She touched so many lives, and hopefully with organizations like amFar, her legacy will live on.
May 7, 2009
A couple of weeks ago Liam decided to take on a movie role in Clash of the Titans, hoping that working with his good friend Ralph Fiennes would ease the pain.
And now Liam has made his first public speaking appearance since his wife’s untimely passing. He revisited his alma mater, Queens University Belfast, to receive an honorary doctorate.
According to Irish Central, Liam spoke from his recent experiences, saying “art builds from pain, from misery, from a deep-seated hurt, a monument to the human heart that shines like a golden dome among roofs rain-glazed and leaden."
He also wasn’t afraid to show his vulnerability. Liam, whose two sons sat in the front row, told the audience, "Everybody assumes that actors are great public speakers. It’s terrifying. Forgive me for reading it."
He concluded with: "I think it is a message that a university always gives its students in the end: It’s time to move on, get on with your life. I got on with mine, and I'm still getting on."
This must be the hardest thing Liam has ever gone through, but it appears he’s taking the right steps to move forward.
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Initially after her fall, Natasha reportedly got up and felt fine. She refused treatment and didn't appear to have any injuries.
Later that afternoon, she suffered from a severe headache and an ambulance was called from her hotel.
At 2:59 p.m., a dispatcher said, "Priority 1" and used the code, "17-Delta-1," which indicated that the situation was then classified as "dangerous."
Medics got Natasha in an ambulance 45 minutes later, and they were on their way to Centre Hospitalier Laurentien.
Just before 4 p.m., the medic described her as "verbal," which meant she was responsive when spoken to, but otherwise drifted off. Her orientation rating was "0," which indicated that she didn't know where she was, what day it was, or what had happened to her. All signs of a serious head injury.
Natasha was later transferred to the Montreal trauma center Hopital du Sacre-Coeur, where a neurologist was reportedly overheard saying that her pupils were unresponsive, a sign of advanced brain damage.
After being transported to New York City's Lenox Hill hospital on March 18, she passed away due to a blunt impact injury to the head. She was 45 years old.
March 25, 2009
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Richardson was left brain-dead after she took a fall while skiing last week, but her organs were perfectly healthy. And now Liam Neeson, her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and other members of the family agreed that Natasha's organs should be donated.
"Doctors spent six hours harvesting all her organs," a source told the New York Post.
"Some patient is going to wake up in the recovery room and start reciting Shakespeare." A family spokesman said, "We have no information on that."
It's great that the family would turn their tragedy into someone else's joy. There are so many deserving people who have probably been on a transplant waiting list forever, and this could be Natasha's last gift.
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ETonline reported that Vanessa was scheduled to perform her show, The Year Of Magical Thinking, on April 27th at New York City’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, but has since postponed it.
St. John's spokesman, Jonathan Korzen, tells E! News that the one-night-only appearance is expected be rescheduled by the end of the week and that the church was "deeply saddened" by Natasha's death.
The show is also reportedly going to be reworked to include a special tribute to Natasha during the show. What seems even sadder is the fact that the show deals with an author who is mourning the death of her husband and daughter.
We don’t blame Vanessa for postponing the show, or even canceling it for that matter. Especially given the subject matter of the show, she should take as much time as she needs before getting back on stage or in front of the camera.
March 23, 2009
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The actress' mahogany casket, marked on its side with an Irish symbol representing friendship, love and loyalty, left Manhattan, New York at approximately 9:30am local time on Saturday, after a one-day wake.
A private service was held Sunday afternoon at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Millbrook, New York, near the home where Natasha and husband Liam Neeson exchanged vows in 1994 and raised their two children.
Her husband, two boys Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12 and her mother Vanessa Redgrave all showed up together followed by her aunt Lynn Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson.
Natasha was laid to rest at a nearby cemetery where her grandmother, Rachel Kempson Redgrave, was buried in 2003. She was 45.
Our hearts go to the family during this difficult time. RIP Natasha, you'll be missed.
March 20, 2009
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Among those attending were Uma Thurman, Diane Sawyer and Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and sister, Joely Richardson.
Liam Neeson was seen arriving in a black Mercedes to the funeral home in a black suit and dark sunglasses and walked quickly inside with one of his sons. Vanessa Redgrave showed up shortly afterwards.
In a statement Friday, Sarah Jessica Parker, quoting the song lyrics "Every time we say goodbye, I die a little/Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little," said: "It's as if Cole Porter were writing the sentiments of everyone who was privileged enough to know, work with or love the late great Ms. Richardson."
Liam and Natasha would have celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on July 3.
March 20, 2009
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The theaters dimmed their lights for one minute at about 8 p.m. Thursday, the traditional starting time for Broadway evening performances.
Natasha's husband Liam and her mother Vanessa were joined by actor friends Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and tons of fans.
Richardson died Wednesday at Lenox Hill Hospital after a skiing accident at the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec on Monday. The New York City medical examiner's office ruled Thursday her death was due to “epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head.”
Instead of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the amfAR foundation for AIDS research, said Alan Nierob, a family spokesman.
It's such a tragic, yet shocking story. Our deepest condolences to the family.
March 19, 2009
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Since Monday, there have been several reports saying she had brain swelling, and other reports suggested she was brain dead. Today, the New York City Medical Examiner cleared up some questions.
Medical Examiner Ellen Borakove released a statement today saying her death was ruled an accident. She says the cause was due to “epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head.”
What this means is that a buildup of blood occurs between the outer membrane of the nervous system and the skull. Epidural Hematoma most commonly results from a blow to the head, which Natasha endured while on the ski slope.
There’s still no word on how and why Natasha was able to move around and talk right after her fall on the slopes, and how she deteriorated so quickly. But we’re sure Liam Neeson and the rest of Natasha’s family are waiting for several of their questions to be answered.
Her private funeral has been planned at the Greenwich Village Funeral Home. Our deepest condolences go out to the family!
March 19, 2009
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"Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," read a statement the family released shortly after her death. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this time."
Stars who worked with both Natasha and her husband Liam Neeson expressed their sadness over the news and sent condolences to the family. Here are some initial star reactions to the news:
In a statement, Lindsay Lohan said: "She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own. I didn’t see much of her over the years but I will miss her." She added: "My heart goes out to her family. This is a tragic loss."
Martha Stewart was among the first to pay tribute. She wrote on her Twitter site: "Just heard the tragic news about poor Natasha Richardson. Her family must be devastated. My sincerest condolences to all."
Oprah said, "I just want to say how deeply saddened I am, we all are, by the sudden passing of actress Natasha Richardson yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Liam Neeson, their two sons, the rest of their family and friends. Yet another reminder of how fleeting life can be and how precious. We need to value every moment."
Helen Mirren said, "Natasha was a great actress, a fantastic mother, a loving wife and a whirlwind of energy, with an infectious love of life expressed firstly by her wonderful deep laugh. Anyone who knew her will be in mourning today. I hope that Liam [Neeson, Richardson's husband] and her sons are helped in their pain by the great love and sympathy that is coming to them from people all over the world."
Kelly Ripa said, "She was a lady. I can't tell you enough what a good person she was, and fun and vivacious and the most full of life."
Demi Moore (via Twitter): "I am sending out prayers for Natasha Richardson and her family. A real reminder of how precious life is and how quickly it can be gone.
Sam Mendes, who directed Richardson in his 1998 Broadway production of Cabaret, said: "Natasha combined the best of (her parents) Vanessa Redgrave and Tony 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. She was also an amazing mother, a loyal friend, and the greatest and most generous host you could ever hope to meet. It defies belief that this gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman is gone."
Filmmaker Ken Russell, who directed Richardson in her 1986 debut, Gothic, said she had a "blend of tenderness and fire." He wrote in a newspaper: "She was one of the few modern actresses who was as smart as she was pretty, and as gentle as she was fierce." He continued: "I loved her unashamedly, and wish her remarkable and wonderful mother, who must be suffering greatly at the moment, all courage and strength."
Jane Fonda recalled meeting the young Richardson on the set of Julia, the 1977 film in which Fonda starred opposite Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave. "She was a little girl but already beautiful and graceful. It didn't surprise me that she became such a talented actor," Fonda recalled on her blog. "It is hard to even imagine what it must be like for her family. My heart is heavy."
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