Natasha Richardson (full name Natasha Jane Richardson) is an American theater and film actress, born May 11, 1963 in London. Natasha's father, film director Tony Richardson , passed away in 1991. Mother is a famous actress Vanessa Redgrave. Parents divorced in 1967.
Baby roles
Artistic Natasha Richardson first appeared in a movie as a five-year-old child. Her father brought her to the set, and the girl played in the episode of the film “Attack of the Light Cavalry”. She liked acting so much that the baby, waking up early, went to her father's bedroom and woke him up, demanding that she be taken to the movie studio as soon as possible. She had time everywhere: to chat with the operator, and play with the props, or even try on some kind of costume of the last century. Then Natasha was invited to the theater, and she began to play small roles on the stage in children's performances. Later, she was entrusted with the role of Helena in the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" based on the play by William Shakespeare, and then Ophelia in the production of "Hamlet". The girl grew, children's roles were replaced by teenage, and then quite adult. After playing in 1986 the role of Nina in the play "The Seagull" according to Chekhov, Natasha left the theater and switched to the cinema.
First major role
In 1989, Natasha Richardson starred in the film "The Handmaid's Story" directed by Volker Schlöndorf. Her character, the librarian Kate, is involved in the fantastic events taking place in the invented totalitarian state of Gilead. In a country that is constantly waging war with neighboring states, there is a procedure for the selection of newborns. By law, only one out of a hundred women has the right to give birth to children. Who this woman is is decided by a special commission. Selected individuals are sent to the camp, where they are awaiting forced conception with representatives of the male population. These women are called maids and are required to wear red clothing. Kate is trying to escape from the country, but she is caught and punished. Then they check the ability to bear children, and the woman joins the group of maids.
Mystical plot
The next major role, played by Richardson, was in 1990 in the film directed by Paul Schroeder "Comforting Strangers." The development of the plot takes place in Venice, where the young spouses Mary and Colin arrived, deciding to repeat their honeymoon after three years of a happy family life. Traveling on a gondola along the canal, they meet an incomprehensible subject who offers them an acquaintance and invites him to his house. Unaware of anything, the couple agree. Then they meet the wife of the hospitable host, also a rather strange special one. However, innate humanity does not allow Colin and Mary to suspect something was wrong, and they leave the house of new acquaintances, promising to return the next day. However, the fatal sword of ritual killing has already been carried over their heads. After the second visit, Mary and Colin disappear without a trace.
Thriller
In 1991, directed by Jan Eliasberg, the thriller film After Midnight was shot in which Natasha Richardson played a major role. Her character is Laura Matthews, an employee of the rehabilitation center for criminals released early from prison. Events revolve around a middle-aged man convicted of the murder of his pregnant wife. After leaving the prison, the killer gets to know Laura, and after a while close relations are established between them. The woman feels that in this whole story with the murder of a pregnant wife, there are ambiguities, however, she tries to drive away all suspicions. But soon Laura realizes that she is pregnant, and her doubts flare up with renewed vigor.
"The White Countess"
Natasha Richardson, whose filmography includes a military historical drama called "The White Countess" directed by James Ivory, played a major role in this film. Her character is Russian Countess Sofya Belinskaya. The plot focuses on events taking place in the thirties of the 20th century in Shanghai. The countess meets former American diplomat Todd Jackson, who for health reasons was forced to retire. One day, Todd, who regularly plays in races, wins a significant amount of money. He decides to invest them in an aristocratic night club. Jackson offers to become the hostess of the prestigious institution Sophia, whom he managed to love with all his heart. Belinskaya gratefully accepts such a generous gift, and their further relations are already developing within the walls of the club, which was called the "White Countess".
Personal life
Natasha Richardson's first marriage did not last long, from 1990 to 1992. Her husband was producer Robert Fox.
In 1994, the actress married for the second time, her chosen one was actor Liam Neeson. The second marriage was successful, in June 1995, the son of Michael was born to the couple, and in August 1996, Daniel was born. Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson were happy until a tragedy occurred in the spring of 2009. No one imagined that a simple trip to a ski resort could have such a terrible ending.
Accident
Natasha Richardson, riding on the entry-level track of the Mont Tremblant ski resort, fell and hit her head. She did not feel much pain and did not go to the doctors. However, the actress soon became ill, and she was taken to the hospital, where she fell into a coma. And two days later, on March 18, 2009, Natasha Richardson died. The body of the actress was transferred to New York, parting with the deceased was organized at the Lenox Hill hospital. Natasha Richardson, whose family took over her funeral, was interred next to her grandmother Rachel Kempson, who passed away in 2003.