Actress Natasha Richardson passed away in a New York hospital following complications from the brain injury she incurred while skiing, according to a statement released by her family. She was 45.
The Tony-award winning stage and film performer was taken off life support by her family this afternoon, the New York Post reported. Friends and family had gathered at Lenox Hill Hospital, where she had been taken following a skiing accident two days ago near Montreal.
Other media outlets, including CNN and the Daily News, cited a family statement reporting Richardson's death.
Richardson, a member of the Redgrave theatrical dynasty, is married to film star Liam Neeson. In addition to Neeson, she is survived by sons Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12. The family statement said the sons were "shocked and devastated by the loss."
At Richardson's bedside over the past day were her mother Vanessa Redgrave, aunt Lynn Redgrave, and sister Joely Richardson. Among those paying their respects have been actress Meryl Streep, author Joan Didion and actress Lauren Bacall.
Richardson earned her Tony playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Her film career included roles in Patty Hearst, the Parent Trap and Nell.
While taking a beginner's skiing lesson at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, north of Montreal, Richardson fell in what was later described as a patch of snow. She had not been wearing a helmet, but initially shook off the fall, according to news reports. About an hour later, Richardson complained of a severe headache and was taken to a Montreal hospital.
According to the Daily News, "Experts said she exhibited the classic symptoms of a epidural hematoma, or bleeding between the brain and the skull."
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