Two stars met and developed a connection, but the timing wasn’t right—one was still married. Despite the initial complications, their connection blossomed into a beautiful partnership lasting 15 years until tragedy struck. Together, they raised two children, one of whom would later honor their mother in a meaningful way.
After his wife’s sudden passing, one well-known actor had to step into the role of a single father. Despite his initial apprehension, he navigated parenthood successfully.
The actor with his son and other family members arrive for his wife’s funeral | Source: Getty Images
The children had to mature quickly, and despite their father’s initial doubts, fears, and concerns, they grew into adults their parents would be proud of. Following in their parents’ footsteps, the children pursued careers in acting.
The couple at the 12th Annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, circa 1993 | Source: Getty Image
The love story of these two stars began in 1993 when they performed opposite each other in “Anna Christie” on Broadway. At the time, she was married, but that did not stop them from falling for each other.
The “Taken” actor said he felt explosive chemistry between them that he had never experienced before. Their chemistry made people love their show so much that they earned a Tony nomination.
The couple at the 12th Annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, circa 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Her marriage ended during that period, and even though falling in love happened at the wrong time, she could not help herself. She was not fazed despite his reputation for being a ladies’ man. She said, “I’m pleased that women fall in love with him because I know why.”
The couple at the screening of “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway on April 26, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
On her 30th birthday, he sent her a card while he was on the set of “Schindler’s List.” She felt the card was not romantic and responded to him by asking him about their relationship. Her response made him realize that he had fallen in love with her.
Shortly after, the couple married on a farm in upstate New York in the summer of 1994. Life moved fast for the pair as they became parents to their first son, in 1995, followed by their second son, 18 months later.
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The lovebirds at the “Chanel” Costume Institute Gala Opening on May 2, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
The Death of the Actress
On March 16, 2009, the actress decided to take ski lessons at a ski resort in Québec, Canada. Around noon, as she was on the hill with an instructor, she toppled over on nearing the bottom of a beginners’ trail.
A photo of the actress, dated February 8, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
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The fall caused her to bang her head against the still hard-packed snow. “The Parent Trap” actress shrugged it off, but her instructor was wary and sought a second opinion from the ski patrol.
Portrait of the actress for the movie “Patty Hearst” in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
The ski patrol called for an ambulance, but she insisted she was fine and signed a waiver declining medical assistance. She made light of the situation when she called her husband to inform him of the accident.
Her anxiety levels increased in no time. She had a headache and showed signs of confusion. The resort called for an ambulance again, and they took her to a nearby hospital.
The actress attends an event for Gotham Magazine on December 5, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Her vital signs improved briefly with the help of oxygen, and her breathing became better, but she was still confused. Realizing the situation might be more severe than anticipated, the hospital transferred her by ambulance to a trauma center in Montréal.
The actress at the 4th Annual Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of “Asylum” | Source: Getty Images
Upon receiving the alarming news about his wife, her husband rushed from his movie set to the hospital. However, when he arrived, the staff did not recognize him and refused to let him past the emergency room.
A nurse sympathized with him and let him go through a back door. The actor found his wife hooked up to life support, and the doctors informed him that she was brain dead. He recalled how they had made a pact to pull the plug if the other wound up in a vegetative state.
The couple at the BFI 52 London Film Festival for the premiere of “The Other Man” on October 17, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
With that in mind, he spoke to her for the last time, professing his love and telling her she would not recover from the injury. He also informed her that he would take her back to New York so that family and friends could say their goodbyes before life support was removed. She passed away, leaving behind two young sons.
The actress with her sons attend the “Billy Elliot The Musical” opening night on November 13, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
The Eldest Son
More than a decade after his mother’s tragic death, her children have grown into fine adults. Their eldest son, Micheál, was born on June 22, 1995. Following his parents’ lead, he made his film debut in 2013 when he starred in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
Micheál and his brother seen on October 15, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Since then, he has starred in “Vox Lux,” “Big Dogs,” “Broken Symphony,” and “Paradise.” In 2019, Micheál starred alongside his father in “Cold Pursuit,” and in 2020, they acted together in “Made in Italy.”
Micheál with his dad and brother seen on October 31, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Micheál was named partially in tribute to his maternal grandfather, Michael Redgrave, an Oscar winner for “Mourning Becomes Electra” in 1947, based on an O’Neill play. The movie also featured Kirk Douglas, Rosalind Russell, Raymond Massey, and Leo Genn, among other stars.
Micheál Richardson at the premiere of “Vox Lux” at the 75th Venice Film Festival on September 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
To honor the father Liam Neeson’s Irish-Catholic heritage and his portrayal of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins in a 1996 biopic, they chose the Irish variant, pronounced “Meehall.” The couple raised their sons in New York, where Micheál had to adopt an English accent for a film.
Liam Neeson with his late wife during the British premiere of “The Other Man” on October 17, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
Immersed in the world of entertainment, Micheál and his younger brother, Daniel, witnessed their mom performing as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and their father in “The Crucible.” Micheál changed his last name in 2018 from Neeson to Richardson to honor his late mother, Natasha Richardson.
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson during the British premiere of “The Other Man” on October 17, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
He said, “It was mainly like a homage to my mother, a way to carry her with me. Going into this industry, carrying her last name, it definitely inspires me, and it is also comforting.”
Liam approved of his son’s decision and was proud of it. Also, he did not want a situation where people would always ask his son about their relationship. The “Memory” actor, who believed his son did the right thing, said, “It was a lovely gesture. Natasha’s family, mother, and sisters were very touched by it. I’m proud of it.”
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Micheál Richardson with his mother’s sister, Joely Richardson, at the New York premiere of “Red Sparrow” on February 26, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Micheál’s maternal grandmother, the esteemed actress Vanessa Redgraves, also supported his decision. She said that even though customs dictated that people bear the man’s name, she didn’t object to her grandson’s decision because the name was as good as any.
Undated photo of Vanessa Redgrave | Source: Getty Images
In 2015, Micheál reflected on the comforting presence of family and friends after his mother’s passing. He admitted he went off the rails while living in New York and filled the void left by his mom’s tragic death with partying. U2 frontman Bono, who had gone through a similar loss, shared his experience with Micheál, offering valuable insight and understanding.
Micheál Richardson seen leaving the gym with a friend on March 5, 2015 in London | Source: Getty Images
Despite the pain of losing his mother at 13, Micheál found strength in his grandma, Vanessa. She became a motherly figure and a supportive confidante, guiding him through the difficult period and providing a listening ear for his concerns.
Micheál described how unexpected and accidental it was to lose his mother, causing a whirlwind of emotions. He emphasized holding on to cherished memories, like her laughter and the times spent with her, to cope with the loss. He and his younger brother learned to remember their mother in the little things over time.
Liam Neeson and Micheál Richardson at the Maison Mais Non launch party on June 2, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Micheál recalled that his mother was terrific and wished he could converse with her as an adult. He said: “I was a mama’s boy growing up and she was really my best friend. I mean we were all a close family, but Danny was my dad’s boy and I was my mom’s boy, for sure.”
In an interview in June 2020, Micheál admitted how he still struggled to come to terms with his mom’s death despite being a grown-up. “I think of her every day…It’s heartbreaking to me still…I don’t, even still, think that I’ve fully comprehended it,” he expressed.
Liam Neeson & Natasha Richardson’s Second Son
The couple’s second son, Daniel, was born on August 27, 1996. Unlike his father and brother, he studied acting and digital media but primarily worked behind the cameras on the production side of filmmaking.
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In 2016, Daniel, who never thought he would get into fashion designing, launched his eco-friendly clothing line called “Pine Outfitters.” Being a massive athlete who loved to play sports, he always wanted to be a hockey player or a producer in the entertainment industry. However, his clothing line promised to deliver classy clothing.
Daniel is also glad he can do something different from his family. Also, in 2016, he started his second company, “Willowglen Landscaping.” Since 2018, he has been the co-founder and president of “De-Nada Tequila.”
Daniel opted to retain his father’s name, Neeson. He recalled that his mother, one of his biggest role models, always encouraged him to follow his passions. He said, “She was always about ‘don’t ever feel like you have to be forced down a tunnel to fit in. Do what you want to do, but do it to your best and be generous with it.'”
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Micheál Richardson, Natasha Richardson, and Daniel Neeson at the opening night of “Billy Elliot The Musical” on Broadway on November 13, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
Liam Neeson on Becoming a Single Father
As a single father, Liam had fears for his sons when they were teenagers, and one of those was the possibility of them getting hooked on drugs. He recalled that as they experimented and flexed their muscles, he was worried despite bringing them up with the correct values.
He wished his wife was around to share such worries with him. Liam was also thankful that his sons were used to him being away for long periods, as one of them was even born on location.
Liam Neeson and his sons, Daniel Neeson and Micheál Richardson at the New York Rangers Vs. Boston Bruins game on March 23, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
However, he was also grateful for having a great support system that helped him balance work and fatherhood. The actor also revealed that being a father enabled him to grow as a man. He said, “They really do help, in all sorts of quiet, subtle ways.”
He revealed that he sometimes felt powerless in his role as a father. Neeson also said that his sons seldom came home when they were supposed to, but he became used to it with time.
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