Liam Neeson Recalls How His Family 'Pulled Together' After Wife Natasha Richardson's Tragic Death (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson on Oct. 10, 2007.Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson arrive during the Conde Nast Traveler celebration of 20 years of Truth in

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Liam Neesonwill forever be grateful to his family, who “pulled together” after his wifeNatasha Richardsondied in 2009.

TheParent Trapactress was just 45 when she died from a brain hemorrhage she suffered after a skiing accident. “It was a horrible thing to happen,” Neeson, 72, says in the new issue of PEOPLE.

The actor, whomet Richardson while working on the 1993 Broadway production ofAnna Christieand married her in 1994, was suddenly a single father to their two young teens,Micheál and Daniel, now 29 and 28, respectively.

His mother-in-law, Oscar-winning actressVanessa Redgrave, 87, and sister-in-lawJoely Richardson, 59, stepped up to help. “Everybody just pulled together. Vanessa and Joely were extraordinary,” he recalls. “We were fortunate in lots of ways.”

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Neeson also acted opposite Micheál in the 2020 comedy-dramaMade in Italy. The fact that they’re carrying on the family tradition would greatly please his late wife, says Neeson: “I think Natasha would be proud. I hope so.”

Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Joely Richardson.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Joely Richardson.

In this week’s issue, the Oscar-nominated star ofSchindler’s Listand theStar Warsfranchise also opens up about his iconic career, including how he became an action star in midlife thanks to the 2009 movieTaken.

“It just seemed to have touched something in the psychic nerve of moviegoing audiences,” he says.

His latest in the action genre isAbsolution, a drama about a low-level Boston criminal and boxer diagnosed with CTE. As he struggles to accept his new reality, he aims to make amends with his family while also settling the score with some very bad men.

Liam Neeson in ‘Absolution.'.Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Liam Neeson in ‘Absolution.'

Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Absolutionis in theaters Nov. 1.

For more on Liam Neeson, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com