Sam Mendes directed Natasha Richardson during her Broadway run in Cabaret, for which Natasha received a Tony Award in 1998. He released a statement today following her death:
“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 a 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.”
Alan Cumming co-starred in Cabaret, and published a statement on his blog remembering Natasha:
“I, like everyone, am totally devastated by the sudden death of Natasha Richardson. The term ‘life force’ seems trite but that is what she was: a woman who powered through life and fascinated everyone she encountered.
I have been thinking about the time I spent with her since I heard the news of her tragic accident, and the strongest memory I have is of her laughter, her unmistakable throaty laugh. I think that’s a great way to remember someone.
She was a brilliant actress. I will never forget her Blanche Dubois [from A Streetcar Named Desire]. It was almost too much, too real and raw. Liam [Neeson] and the boys and her whole family have lost an amazing woman. We all have. Goodbye, darling.”
Okay, I’m tearing up. I have to stop and post something happy because this is terribly sad and I can’t stop thinking about how broken her children must be right now.
