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UTTER SADNESS BECAUSE NATASHA RICHARDSON HAS DIED

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 Lennox Hill Hospital where I was
told she had been taken to see if there was anything I could do for
Vanessa, 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.

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  1. My prayers and thoughts go out to Natasha’s family. I am still shocked on the recent news and I am deeply sad. God Bless Natasha and her family.

    -Steve

    • Realmente ha sido una pena, que suceda esto a una persona tan joven y con tanta vida. Lo he sentido mucho.

  2. As someone who got to spend time with Natasha, my heart is heavy also. Thank you for taking the time to write a little about her. There are millions around the world tonight who are grieving with the family and sending our thoughts and prayers to them.

  3. I remember seeing her in HANDMAIDS TALE Her performance blew me away. R.I.P. Natasha

    will be missed xo 2 family/friends.

    • My heart is heavy too and I am in shock over this tragic loss.
      I can’t imagine what her husband and family are feeling – especially her mother.
      To lose a child is the worst thing that could happen to anyone.
      I hope that Natasha Richardson’s illuminating presence will always continue to comfort them.
      She will be forever in their hearts and will remain in our hearts.
      Marti

  4. It breaks my heart to hear about Natasha Richardson. She was so talented and beautiful. My prayers go out to Liam, Vanessa and her boys.

  5. I am shocked and saddened by her death. It feels so unreal. My heartfelt prayers go out to her family and friends.

  6. Our hearts are all sadden for this loss
    Our prayers are with her family
    The lights in the of theatre are dim

  7. She has had an accident unexpected, unusual .
    I don’t know why but at 45 she had so much ahead and too much to leave behind I feel for a creative person like that. I feel sad for that, a penetrating study of lifes catastrophe.

  8. I had a feeling your blog was going to be about her. I learned about her accident a few days ago but it was just today when I was watching The View that I learned she was Vanessa Redgrave’s daughter. I was surprised but then when I took a closer look I realized she looks just like her. Julia is one of my favorite movies. I am so sad over the loss of Natasha. She was so beautiful. And for Vanessa too. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling. My prayers are with all the family.

  9. I’m sorry your friend lost her daughter. I can’t imagine it. But I can imagine that she would have wanted you to take the stage tonight.

  10. I too cannot imagine what it is like for her family. I feel that we have truly lost a wonderful actress and a wonderful person today. I am not a part of Hollywood, but she always felt in her movies like someone you would have loved to know in life. It is a very sad day.

  11. Her work in The White Countess was simply stunning. She kept me riveted to the screen. What a loss to her family and to all of us who were privileged to see her perform.

  12. This is just so very wrong. You could see in her eyes that she was full of life–and love for her family. She was much too young and has left much too much behind. The world is not right today.

    I am devastated for your friend and for the entire family.

  13. Very, very shocked and saddened R.I.P Natasha x

  14. So very sad. Please tell Vanessa that her fans are thinking of her. I was so moved by that photo of her arriving at the hospital with her grandson.

  15. This is all just so awful. She was a very talented actress and seemed like a classy lady. Thoughts and prayers to her family, as well as yourself and anyone who knew her who is grieving right now.

  16. I am so sorry for the loss of such a talented soul. My heart goes out to her devastated family. The lights are getting dimmer on Broadway this week.

    I am truly sorry for what your friend will be going through, but I’m sure you will be there to help her through this terrible time.

  17. As a true Theatre Family, Vanessa, Lynn, Corin, Joley, Liam and Natasha, all brilliant in their own ways onstage, would know and insist the show must go on. I never had the honor of meeting Natasha, as I have her Mom, aunt, uncle and husband but I have seen her work and to her I say, Bravo. My heart and thoughts go out to her family.

  18. I send my prayers and thoughts to the family and friends of Natasha Richardson. I loved all of her movies but my favorite was Evening as she was staring with her mother. This is one more example of a great talent gone too soon. Give the family our condolences.

  19. I didn’t even know her personally and I’m utterly devastated. I have strongly admired the Redgrave/Richardson dynasty since I was a little girl, and the news of Natasha’s passing is incomprehensible. If my heart is this heavy, then I can’t even imagine the level of despair that Vanessa, Liam, Joely, Michael, Daniel, Lynn, and the rest of the family feel. Natasha is a remarkable person and she will always be missed.

    –Amanda

  20. It must be such a shock for her loved ones. Truly tragic. She was a wonderful–and sometimes underrated–actress. Condolences to your old friend and Natasha’s entire family.

  21. If anyone, Natasha would appreciate you going on tonight. I thought ASYLUM one of her most recent films, was amazing and a great adaptation of the novel. Also, I always remember the scene of you and Vanessa meeting in the bar in JULIA as one of the greatest scenes of both of your careers, intense.

  22. I felt sure you would mention this today-thank you for doing so. I saw Natasha some 25 years ago in her West End debut in London in ‘The Seagull’ opposite her mother, and was amazed at her talent even back then. My deepest sympathies to Ms. Redgrave and her family.

  23. I was shocked to hear of her accident today and was praying that she would be okay. I fell in love with Natasha when she starred in The Parent Trap. She was fabulously beautiful and so talented – I now see where she gets her beauty and her talent, from her lovely mother, Vanessa. I didn’t know that Liam was her husband. Love them all. I am so deeply saddened for the entire family. She will be greatly missed. Way too young to leave this way.

    I’m sure it was very hard for you not being able to be there. Prayers go out to you all (family/friends).

  24. You must have found it very difficult this evening. There are many sad and heavy hearts in the world tonight. It is truely heartbreaking and such a loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  25. Now when I think of her, I’ll remember that beautiful photo of Natasha & her sister in Vanessa Redgrave’s autobiography. She would have been less than 5 years old and she was in front, looking up at someone, laughing, smiling. Joely was behind with a very serious look on her face. I just see that smile and how it hardly changed over the many years in all those photos you can see of her. Its strange as to why this hits me so hard, not knowing her or anyone in her family personally. Maybe, it is that smile after all.

  26. I didn’t know her personally, only her work. She seemed like such a lovely lady, devoted to her family, and a talented actress. It is shockingly sad that she was fine one minute, then a headache and then gone…life is precious. Godspeed Ms. Natasha Richardson. My deepest sympathies to Mr. Neeson, the children, Ms. Redgrave and family.

  27. Jane, thank you so much for your amazing performance tonight in the midst of this terrible loss of your friend. I brought nine people to see you in 33 Variations tonight and we were all entertained, educated, but most of all we were inspired by the story, the acting, the music, and the incredible set and lighting design.

    I’m sure that Natasha would be honored at the fact that you came out tonight and amazed us with your mastery of the art form that you both have dedicated so much of your lives for.

    Our hearts go our for the family.

    Thanks again,

    Mark

  28. It is so sad when someone’s child dies, no matter how old, as it is still one’s child. It is always an anxiety to worry about children, doing dangerous things, but they are also the joy of life.

  29. I am in stunned disbelief and numbness. As one of many who prayed for Natasha and her family after the news yesterday and thru the day that dire reports were incorrect and that there was hope, the cold reality was so wretchedly sad. What a tragic waste!
    I’m from New England and I ski and I just am dumbstruck. She seemed so charming and sweet and luminious as a human being and actor. I agree it’s just not right.

    It’s amazing how universal our emotions are and how this unites us in a visceral way. There is a universal heavy heart tonight and now all we can do is unite in praying for Natasha’s family and friends in their bereavement and for all of those who have ever been in their footsteps

  30. Hearing this has shocked me. I don’t remember much of Natasha Richardson myself, only because I’ve only seen bits and pieces of her work throughout my life. She was a very talented individual who was delicate, passionate, willing to challenge and make the profession look easy, taking a role and making it human. To say she is her mother’s daughter is an insensitive understatement. I loved her in the recent “The Parent Trap” and “Evening.” She reminded me so much of her mother, Vanessa, in so many ways, and I cannot imagine the loss she ( Vanessa), Joely, Liam, and her children must be going through right now. I hate to dribble on like this, but to me, being an actor in a delicate, empathic profession, I can’t help but feel like this is my loss as much as yours and everyone who knew her more than I did. Of course, you knew her more personally than I did, being an adoring fan, but being also of the profession, I feel the pain oh so much. Miss Fonda, I do not want to depress you in any way, shape, or form by writing you this, I can only write how I feel and the honesty helps. Too soon for another candle in the wind to blow out so suddenly and unexpectedly….may the Divine offer us comfort and strength.

  31. What a tragic and devastating loss for her family and friends. Clearly, Natasha Richardson touched so many, many lives with her love, compassion, and talent. It’s heartbreaking to think about it as a just a fan. I can’t even begin to imagine the grief of those who held her close. My condolences, prayers and thoughts go out to you.

  32. I am heartbroken about this tragic news. It is so very hard to believe. Just last week my husband and I were flipping channels and we stopped to watch her remake of The Parent Trap. One of our favorites mainly because of her performance. My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends. God bless them all at this horrible time.

  33. We in Canada are so sad that this happened to Natasha at our beautiful Mont Tremblant. Our hearts go out to her two sons, her adoring husband, mother, sister and to all who knew and loved this remarkable woman.

  34. What a tragic loss. So young and vibrant. My condolences to her family and to all that knew Natasha. I feel your pain.

  35. It is such a tragedy to lose such a lovely and beautiful person, so suddenly – yet so innocently. My prayers go out to her husband and family.

    It’s so hard to understand and accept why these things happen… it’s a devastating loss.

  36. Life is no longer a mystery for her, but it is for all of us. Everything is precisely the way it is supposed to be, despite the appearance of unexpected chaos. I truly believe this devistation is rooted in the simplicity of a ‘bunny’ hill effecting her life and her death without so much as a blink, twitter or twitch. When nature is involved, you have to believe that the higher powers who were responsible for her birth, have, without judgement, the omniscience to call her back when it is her time. Perhaps, before coming to the planet, she knew what path her soul would travel down and decided to take the journey anyway. None of us get off this earth without having or leaving pain. It’s precisely for this reason, you need to always, always, always, wrap it tightly in layers of love.

  37. She was so talented and clearly such a good person. I was so stunned to hear she had died. I cried while I made breakfast this morning, thinking how devastated my 12 year old son would be if I died. I am praying for her family.

  38. Natasha’s passing is devastating news. Her sons, Michael and Daniel, went to the same nursery school as my boys. She was an extremely devoted and loving mother – never missed a concert or any other school event. My heart goes out to the whole family, but to those 2 young boys in particular.

  39. My heart is heavy too. Just seems so senseless.

  40. Natasha Richardson’s untimely death has shocked and saddened me. I pray for her family and friends, and especially for her young sons.

  41. I was shocked to hear about Natasha Richardson.
    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

  42. I think everyone who loves movies and the theatre is shocked and saddened by Natasha Richardson’s tragic death. She was a beautiful woman and a wonderful actress. I feel very, very sad for her friends and family. My condolences to all who loved her.

  43. Natasha was my age. My thoughts are with all who knew and loved her, Liam and the boys, her Mother, and you as well Ms. Fonda. I know you named your daughter after your beloved friend, Vanessa Redgrave. This is a burden she should not have to bear. You are all lin my daily prayers. ~~

  44. I’m a partial Luddite. I love my computer but I get annoyed at having to learn how to use new stuff every six minutes . . . it interferes with my creative flow.

    This is my first experience responding — or adding to — a blog. I just wrote a really long reply but it was posted onto the end of the the first one you wrote “A New Year.” (I didn’t realize you had to go to each entry in order to have the responses show up after them. I didn’t want to try to write it all over again so I I’m just referring you to it. It’s dated today.

    My sorrow and my heart for Natasha’s family.

    Kaitlan

  45. My heart breaks everytime I see another article about Natasha’s tragic passing. My deepest condolences to Vanessa, Liam, and the rest of her family. I didn’t know Natasha personally, but I don’t think anyone would disagree that her passion for life went unnoticed in any of her performances or appearances. Again, my deepest condolences and sympathies to her family, you are all in my prayers…

  46. Ms Fonda, the news of Ms Richardsons passing has destroyed me. I have been a fan of this artist for years. I have seen every show she has ever been in and of course every film.
    Her incredible work as an actress was just a piece of who this woman was. Her work with charities and love of her family was what made her such an incredibale woman.
    I also love that her first love was theatre and always made such brave choices as an actress. She actually reminds me a bit of you. Like you, she was never afraid to make bold and unique choices in your craft. And to always remember that your family comes first no matter what.
    I am sure her legend will live on and her work will be remembered for years to come. In times like these, when you can only admire a celebrity from a far, you feel helpless in mourning for a person you had such great admiration for.
    I just wanted to say thank you for your lovely words in your blog and for letting us…(the people who can only admire our favorite actors from a far) a place to air our feelings.
    God bless you Jane Fonda for all you do for us as an artist, incredible role model and being a voice to the world that can be heard.
    BTW, I am coming to see the show this weekend…It will be the highlight of this awful week.
    Be well and get rest as I know it is hell doing 8 shows a week.
    Eric O

  47. As a fan (63 year old) of all of you, Liam, Vanessa, and yourself, and knowing that you were the Godmother of Natasha, I believe, please pass on my deep sorrow to the family from a “mom and grandma who cares”! There “is absolutely no words that can comfort them” at this time, “no book of how to grieve”, and no answer to “why”. Only time will help heal. Even that has no guarantee. I am so sad for all of them!

  48. The news of Natasha’s passing is very sad. I got home from work and turned on the news and I started to cry for her kids, her husband,her mother and sister. May Memories Comfort you and her family.

  49. All of us mothers who have lost a child weave our hearts around Miss Redgrave and her family. We do know her pain; the deeper the love, the greater the sadness.

  50. I am also very saddened to hear this terrible news. Liam was in Toronto filming and a friend of mine was working on his crew. The whole production is shocked and so devastated. Such a seeminly minor thing that turned deadly.

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