Natasha Richardson: Untimely death is a loss to acting field

Natasha Richardson: Untimely death is a loss to acting field

Natasha Richardson, a film star, Tony-winning stage actress and member of the famed Redgrave acting family, has passed away on Wednesday after suffering injuries in a ski accident, according to a family statement. She was forty five.

Sources have thrown more light on this news on Natasha Richardson. In a statement his family said, "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."

Richardson was practically born to perform. Her grandfather, Sir Michael Redgrave, was a famous British actor. Her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, is an Oscar-winning actress, and her father, the late director Tony Richardson, showed his tremendous acting acumen in famous films like  "Look Back in Anger," "The Entertainer" and the Oscar-winning "Tom Jones."

Other family members like Natasha’s's uncle Corin Redgrave, aunt Lynn Redgrave, and sister Joely Richardson are also noted performers.

However being part of a family of actors it was not always easy for Richardson. Life was not always bed of roses for her. Her parents got divorced when she was only four years old and her mother, after getting involved in controversial political causes, spent a huge lot of money, thereby putting strain on the family’s financial situation..

Talking about the heritage of family, once Natasha Richardson remarked, "Though my name opened doors it didn't get me work, and a lot of pressure comes from having a mother who is considered one of the greatest actresses of her generation."

In the year 2007, Natasha Richardson worked with her mother in the film titled "Evening." According to Richardson she made one point very clear to director Lajos Koltai about the relatives working together. She said to the director, "This is a unique opportunity," "This is the one time my mother and I are going to play mother and daughter on screen, so you've got to take advantage of it."

Natasha’s role in her first film was a bit part in her father's "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1968) that was made when she was four years old. After a handful of roles during her teens and early 20s, she gained popularity for her portrayal of the character of Mary Shelley in Ken Russell's film "Gothic”. After that Natasha acted as Patty Hearst in Paul Schrader's 1988 film of the same name.

Other significant films of Natasha Richardson are the TV movie "Zelda" (1993), “The Handmaid's Tale" (1990); "Nell" (1994), alongside Neeson, whom she married in 1994; "Wild Child" (2008) and the 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap”.

However some of huge successes Richardson were on the stage. At an age of twenty two, she acted opposite to her mother and Jonathan Pryce in a London production of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull". That particular performance has helped her to grab the London Drama Critics' most promising newcomer award.

Natasha also won a Tony award for her performance as Sally Bowles in the 1998 revival of "Cabaret" and earned applauses for her role as Blanche DuBois in a 2005 production of "A Streetcar Named Desire."

It is also reported that Natasha was scheduled to star in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" this year, thereby following a benefit performance of the show in the month of January.

She gave birth to two children, Michael and Daniel from Neeson. Before that, Richardson was wife of Robert Fox from 1990 to 1994.