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Richardson Dead at 45

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 19, 2009 12:12 AM CDT

(AP) – Natasha Richardson, a gifted and precocious heiress to acting royalty whose career highlights included the film Patty Hearst and a Tony-winning performance in a stage revival of Cabaret, died yesterday at age 45 after suffering a head injury during a ski lesson. It was a sudden and horrifying loss for her family and friends, and for the film and theater communities.

"Liam Neeson, his sons (Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12), and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," said a family statement. They "ask for privacy during this very difficult time." Descended from at least three generations of actors—her mother is Vanessa Redgrave—Richardson was a proper Londoner who came to love the noise of New York, an elegant blonde with lively eyes, a bright smile, and a hearty laugh. She met Neeson when they made their Broadway debuts in 1993.

In a 2008 file photo, actors Liam Neeson and wife Natasha Richardson.
In a 2008 file photo, actors Liam Neeson and wife Natasha Richardson.   (Joel Ryan)
In this Oct. 10, 2007 file photo, actors Natasha Richardson, left, and Liam Neeson arrive at the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice awards at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
In this Oct. 10, 2007 file photo, actors Natasha Richardson, left, and Liam Neeson arrive at the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice awards at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.   (Peter Kramer)
In this May 5, 2008, file photo, actress Natasha Richardson arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York.
In this May 5, 2008, file photo, actress Natasha Richardson arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York.   (Peter Kramer)
In this 2005 file photo, actress Natasha Richardson is shown on Broadway.
In this 2005 file photo, actress Natasha Richardson is shown on Broadway.   (TINA FINEBERG)
This image made from video shows Liam Neeson, left, leaving Lenox Hill hospital.
This image made from video shows Liam Neeson, left, leaving Lenox Hill hospital.   ((AP Photo/APTN))
In this 2000 file photo, British actress Vanessa Redgrave, center, poses with her daughters Natasha Richardson, left, and Joely Richardson.
In this 2000 file photo, British actress Vanessa Redgrave, center, poses with her daughters Natasha Richardson, left, and Joely Richardson.   (MICHEL EULER)
In this 2007 file photo, actress Natasha Richardson attends a private dinner.
In this 2007 file photo, actress Natasha Richardson attends a private dinner.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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