Honoring a Life Cut Short:
The marquee lights on Broadway were to be dimmed to mark the passing of Tony-winning actress Natasha Richardson, 45, who died March 18, 2009, from head injuries following a skiing accident.
Natasha Richardson came by her acting skills naturally – although she wore them somewhat uncomfortably – as a member of the Redgrave acting dynasty. She was the granddaughter of Michael Redgrave; daughter of Academy Award-winning parents, Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson; niece of Lynn Redgrave and Corin Redgrave; and sister of Joely Richardson.
Richardson was married to actor Liam Neeson with whom she had two sons.
Fleeing the Spotlight:
Richardson made her acting debut at age 4 in one of her father’s film, but she developed her acting chops on stages across the U.K. Desiring to avoid the spotlight forced on her as a member of the Redgrave family, she moved to the United States, where she found success in Hollywood and on Broadway.
It was the stage the brought her together with her husband, Irish actor Neeson. Richardson was married to actor Robert Fox, but that union ended in 1992. She then met Neeson when they both starred on Broadway in Anna Christie. They were married in 1994
Stage and Screen Success:
Richardson won a Best Actress Tony as Sally Bowles in the 1998 revival of Cabaret and was Tony-nominated for Anna Christie. She also starred in Closer and A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway.
Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, said she demonstrated "a pinnacle of excellence both emotionally and intellectually that electrified those fortunate enough to be sitting in the theater and experiencing her magic.”
Richardson appeared in 36 movies, most notably in The Handmaiden’s Tale, Nell, The Parent Trap, and Maid in Manhattan.