Natasha Richardson Remembered

Natasha Richardson at last year's Tribeca Film Festival

Last night Natasha Richardson's family broke their silence and released a statement letting the world know "their beloved Natasha" had died at Lenox Hill Hospital, following her fall skiing on Monday. Over the past few days, being kept alive on life support, visitors to the hospital (beyond her family) included her first husband producer Robert Fox, Lauren Bacall, Meryl Streep, and Joan Didion.

Others have communicated their sympathies through the media or in the case of Jane Fonda, on her personal blog. The actress wrote, "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, 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."

Martha Stewart broadcasted her condolences on Twitter, saying, "Just heard the tragic news about poor Natasha Richardson her family must be devastated. My sincerest condolences to all." Harvey Weinstein declared of the actress: "For all her talent and beauty, she was egoless." And even Lindsay Lohan, who played her daughter(s) in The Parent Trap remake, said, "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."

There are more tributes from her peers over at BBC, where Sam Mendes (whose 1998 Broadway production of Cabaret landed Richardson a Tony award) said, "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."

Meanwhile, not all media is currently stalking grieving family members outside of their apartments—NYMag called many outlets out for being "scoop-happy instant-media vultures." They also discuss the tragedy from a fan perspective, saying Richardson was "likably famous" and "when her unpretentious movies like The Parent Trap and Maid in Manhattan come on television, you'll watch them. Because you like her. Which is why the tragedy of her skiing accident hits so strangely home."

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By Jen Carlson in News on March 19, 2009 11:29 AM

Comments [rss]

REALITY CHECK

A great Natasha Richardson film is The Comfort of Strangers, not only starring her, but also Rupert Everett and Christopher Walken, and directed by Paul Schrader (the guy who penned Taxi Driver). A talent-studded film like that is superceded by Parent Trap? Please give this woman a little more respect.

hannah

I completely agree. I do think that The Parent Trap is a good film, but her performances in The Handmaid's Tale, Patty Hurst and more recently Asylum, prove that Natasha wasn't just capable of romantic comedies but proves she was a brilliant actress. This is a great loss.

jaycjay

I'm no fan of Martha Stewart, but seriously no one knows whether expressing her condolences via Twitter is the only way she has done so. That, as such acts are when done by any celebrity, is simply for public consumption. She may well also have contacted the family in a more direct or personal way.

Spirit of 76

The question is why tweet it in the first place? Why would anyone think giving condolences has to be broadcast to the public? It's a somber action for a sad passing. Nobody would have thought less of her for doing it privately.

NannyState

We've all been here giving our condolences and what's wrong with that? If Martha Stewart came here and posted her sadness, I wouldn't hold it against her...but I might be piqued at her pseudonym, "HUGO_MEGO".

Spirit of 76

The difference is we're nobodies and nobody gives a damn what we say. Any guesses whether her family will receive our condolences? It's just in bad taste to throw it out there like Martha did. It'd be sort of like showing up at Natasha's funeral with full camera crew in tow. Some things should be private.

NannyState

Well, I would hope that she did send something personal and private as well. But then I'm betting on her good taste...and her towel sets leave grave doubts.

Rocknrope

I believe it's also Martha's lack of understanding of how a "Condolence Tweet" would look to others. She probably thinks "Oh, its all on the internet anyway, what does it matter."

Personally, I still don't get the excitement over Twitter, unless its related to some emergency or safety issue. I have yet to see one "tweet" from anyone that is any way valuable or informative.

"I'm waiting on line at Shake Shack!" Who the fock cares!

jaycjay

I've visited Twitter maybe twice, following links, but still I'd be surprised if Martha Stewart is actually providing what's there. Most likely it's a PR person paid to keep up that presence.

I don't believe this one is "first hand" either:

http://twitter.com/BarackObama

jaycjay

The NYC medical examiner's office has completed an autopsy, and confirmed that the cause of death was "epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/189959

There have been other possible causes discussed. For example, the Times posted an article about half an hour speculating among other possibilities that it could have been an artery dissection caused by a neck injury -- essentially, a severe whiplash injury. That article mentions reports that she actually did not hit her head:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/health/20braincnd.html?_r=1&hp

jaycjay

Sneaky. The Times has replaced article that was there speculating that it may not have been a blunt impact injury with one relaying the autopsy report that it was... using the same URL.

Spirit of 76

Hardly sneaky. The Times often updates a developing story throughout the day. Although it normally notes that the story was updated.

ides_of_march

Condolences via Twitter? That really is quite tacky.

Brainwash

Who?

Rocknrope

For Christ's sake, is Twitter the most appropriate channel to convey your condolences? It's the equivalent of sending the family a condolence card written on a Post-It note.

Politburo

Pre-twitter, Martha would likely have used a press release or a PR flack to do this.

So is there really any difference? IMO, no. All methods are equally unpersonable and driven by ego rather than genuine compassion (which would be expressed in private).

felixthecat2

Exactly, we live in a technology word so the means are different but not the sentiments. It can be genuine and it can't not be as well. Geez. I didn't know we had so many Emily Post posters. Someone can be all show and go to her NYC apartment with flowers and break tears and not be genuine at all. In fact a lot of them don't even know her personally. This freak accident was a tragedy and maybe people will wear helmets. I for one will now buy a helmet before I snowboard again.

Jen Chung

When I see The Parent Trap on TV, I watch it. It's just a charming movie and Lindsay, Natasha and Dennis Quaid are all great. When I'd see her on screen (or on stage, once), Natasha Richardson had aura of openness and generosity, which is why she could strike a chord with viewers.

nicemarmot

No, it hits strangely at home because I've hit my head skiing many times, and done it at Mont Tremblant on a few occasions! It's made me re-think the whole skiing thing - just how hard do you have to hit your head to risk death? It also sounds as if a helmet wouldn't have helped her, because she fell *forward*. That's scary!

jchez

My deepest condolences to Natasha's family.

I once hit my head so hard falling backwards while skiing that the concussion made me loose my sight for a few seconds (I guess four or so). That's panic right there! The worst part was listening to the cheers of the riders in the ski lift hooting and laughing at my high speed wipeout, not knowing (or caring) what I was going through.

Fortunately, I recovered, skied down to the lodge, had lunch and continued my ski day. That's why the thought of someone dying because they fell while taking lessons on a beginner's slope has me so upset.

JRod5417

My deepest condolences to her family. This does hit home not just because it is sad for this seemingly normal family to lose a mother and wife, but also because it seems so random. As a skiier, it really shocks me to hear that such a benign accident could cause death. It makes me think of all the times I've fallen (with and w/o a helmet) and have gotten back up to do it again without a second thought.

nomnomnom

I think it hits home mostly because she was doing such an innocent act while she was skiing. It was such a freak accident. It's not like she was skiing recklessly down a trail while drunk and throwing a football around. She was just acting like a "normal" person.