The world was shocked to hear of Natasha Richardson’s sudden and tragic death, and celebrities around the world have expressed their condolences to Liam Neeson and his family.
Mia Farrow: “Natasha is irreplaceable. I cannot think of anyone kinder, more generous, thoughtful, smarter or more fun. She is the godmother of two of my children. The Neesons and Vanessa (Redgrave) have always made me feel a part of their wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Kevin Spacey: “There are no words to express how tragic Natasha Richardson’s untimely passing is for the theatre community. Her passion, devotion and talent will forever be etched on those who saw her work on the stage. The bloodlines of greatness were always there and she committed herself to every role she tackled.All of us at the Old Vic Theatre Company mourn her loss and send our heartfelt wishes to Liam and her family. We hope that the warmth we all feel about her will bring some comfort to those closest to her, who shared her life, her wit, her style and know that she will never be forgotten.”
Alan Cumming: “The term ‘life force’ seems trite but that is what she was: a woman who powered through life and fascinated everyone she encountered. I have been thinking about the times I spent with her since I heard the news of her tragic accident, and the strongest memory I have is of her laughter, her unmistakable throaty laugh. I think that’s a great way to remember someone.”
Jodie Foster: “Natasha was brilliant, beautiful, funny, talented beyond measure, as emotionally raw as she was razor sharp. … May Liam, her beautiful boys and her loving family hold her close as they move through this tragic moment.”
Oprah Winfrey : “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.”
Lindsay Lohan: “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. My heart goes out to her family. This is a tragic loss.”
Padma Lakshmi: “She was great. She was lovely. She was just like one of the gang. She was very, very articulate. She was very, very opinionated. She was very compassionate. She had a very sophisticated palate.”
Dame Judi Dench: “She had an incredibly luminous quality, that you seldom see, and a great sense of humor. I thought she was a really great actress.”
Kelly Ripa :“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 Twittered:
“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.”
Martha Stewart Twittered:
“Just heard the tragic news about poor Natasha Richardson . Her family must be devastated. My sincerest condolences to all.”
Blythe Danner: “I can’t talk because I started crying. I’m heart broken. She was so kind to us when Bruce (Paltrow, Danner’s late husband) was ill. She’s so generous. I don’t think that I can handle it.”
Regis and Joy Philbin: “They live around the corner from us. It’s such a surprise. She’s a lovely woman. Liam and those two little boys are great. They’re a lovely family.”
Jane Fonda : “I first met her on the set of Julia. She was a little girl but already beautiful and graceful. It didn’t surprise me that she became such a talented actor. I wanted to go to the Lenox Hill Hospital where I was told she had been taken to see if there was anything I could do for Vanessa [Redgrave], any comfort I could bring, but today was a two-show day and as the curtain went up tonight, I heard the tragic news. It is hard to even imagine what it must be like for her family. My heart is heavy.”
Joan Rivers : “We spent one amazing day on a boat with my whole family and she and Liam and the boys. They were such a family. I mean just shouldn’t have happened. And they made such a good-looking couple too. He doted on what she said, she doted on — it was just perfect.”
Director Atom Egoyan: “I had the opportunity to meet Natasha at the opening of the play I did with
Liam in New York last year. Her intense pride and affection for her husband was so clear, as was his passion and love for her. I’m so devastated for Liam’s loss.”
Director Sam Mendes: “Natasha combined the best of Redgrave and 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.”
Director Michael Winner: “It’s a terrible, terrible thing. It’s always tragic when people of such buoyancy and life are taken away on what appears to be utterly trivial events. She was a wonderful actress – the whole family is incredible – and she had not yet fulfilled her possibilities.”
Larry King dedicated Tuesday’s broadcast to her. [Photo: Getty Images]
