All of us entertainment junkies found out a couple of days ago about actress Natasha Richardson and her skiing accident. The rumors started flying fast and furious about how serious it truly was. Once I read somewhere that she was brain dead, I thought the worst. That was until I saw on TMZ of all places, that it was mis-reported and that although she has swelling in the brain, she was not brain dead. Well then she would probably come out of it okay, I thought.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Tony-winning actress Natasha Richardsondied at Lenox Hill Hospital Wednesday after suffering injuries in that ski accident. She was only 45-years-old.
What's amazing about the whole thing was the fall she suffered didn't seem to be that threatening. It's not like she ran into a tree or even broke anything. She was on the beginner's slope of all things and took a tumble. Reports were that she was even up and joking about it shortly after. Perfectly coherent and everything. Then the headache started worsening that evening and the rest is tragic history.
I was never into Natasha's work as much as other people may have been. I do remember her from the remake of "The Parent Trap" primarily because it was Mariah's favorite movie for a while. I didn't even realize that she was also the semi-narcissistic socialite from "Maid in Manhattan". However, as average as that movie was, her role in there was rather humorous.
The thing that sucks about it all is that her husband was Liam Neeson. Qui-Gon Jinn himself. The same cat that just released one of the best movies I have seen this year in "Taken". He comes across in interviews and appearances as one of the few genuine nice guys in Hollywood. You just hate to have something like that happen to good people.
I know one thing...this is even more concrete proof that I won't be picking up a pair of skis anytime soon. I hate to think about even breaking a single bone, which is an often occurrence for beginnings. But to think that there is a possibility of getting a fatal injury from just being on the bunny slope?! Count me out.
Rest in peace, Natasha.
