Liam Neeson "Bewildered" Following The Death Of His Wife, Natasha Richardson

March 20, 2009 - Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Alan Cumming, Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes

Liam Neeson is "bewildered" following the death of his wife Natasha Richardson.

The 56-year-old actor - who has two sons Micheal, 13, and 12-year-old Daniel with Natasha - is struggling to cope with his grief and is reluctant to talk about Natasha, who died on Wednesday after hitting her head during a skiing accident in Canada.

Liam's sister Bernadette Sexton said: "We're completely bewildered and wish we could turn the clock back. I've spoken to Liam but I'd rather not talk about it, it's too personal."

"Natasha was a wonderful friend, sister-in-law and auntie to my kids. She was just a warm, generous and lovely woman."

After the fall on Monday, Natasha, 45, seemed fine but had to be rushed to hospital after complaining of a severe headache just an hour later. She was eventually transferred to New York so her family could say their final goodbyes.

A spokesman for New York's medical examiner's office has confirmed an autopsy on the actress showed she died of a blunt impact to the head.

More tributes to Natasha have flooded in since news of her passing was made public, while the lights on New York's Broadway theatre district were dimmed for one minute last night.

Ralph Fiennes, who co-starred with her in 2001's "Maid in Manhattan," said: "For everyone who knew and loved her, Natasha's death is a terrible, devastating loss. She was a star. A great actress, a beautiful woman, a fiercely loyal friend, a brilliant and generous companion."

"She was unique. I cannot imagine a world without her wit, her love, her mischief, her great, great talent and her gift for living. I loved her very much. She was a supreme friend. I shall miss her deeply."

Dame Judi Dench paid tribute to Natasha's "incredibly luminous quality," adding: "She had a great sense of humor. I thought she was a really great actress and seemed to simply shine in both film and theater."

Alan Cumming, who starred alongside Natasha in 98's Broadway revival of "Cabaret" - for which Natasha won a Tony Award - said: "The term 'life force' seems trite but that is what she was: a woman who powered through life and fascinated everyone she encountered."

Director Sam Mendes added: "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."

Share on Facebook