Natasha Richardson's Tragic Death Sends Shockwaves Through Hollywood

Hours after his wife Natasha Richardson passed away from complications caused by a skiing injury, Liam Neeson was spotted returning to his Manhattan residence along with mother-in-law Vanessa Redgrave.

The actor looked understandably saddened as he gave a quick wave to the paparazzi before heading inside for the night.

Richardson’s tragic death is sending shockwaves through Hollywood.

Her “The Parent Trap” costar Lindsay Lohan told press, "She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own. I didn't see much of her over the years, but I will miss her. My heart goes out to her family. This is a tragic loss."

Friend Blythe Danner commented, "I can't talk because I started crying. I'm heartbroken. She was so kind to us when Bruce [Paltrow, Danner's late husband] was ill. She's so generous. I don't think that I can handle it."

Mia Farrow:"Natasha is irreplaceable. I cannot think of anyone kinder, more generous, thoughtful, smarter or more fun. She is the godmother of two of my children. The Neesons and Vanessa [Redgrave, Richardson's mother] have always made me feel a part of their wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with them."

Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi (Richardson was a guest judge):"She was great. She was lovely. She was just like one of the gang. She was very, very articulate. She was very, very opinionated. She was very compassionate. She had a very sophisticated palate."

Dame Judi Dench:"She had an incredibly luminous quality, that you seldom see, and a great sense of humor. I thought she was a really great actress."

Demi Moore (via Twitter):"I am sending out prayers for Natasha Richardson and her family. A real reminder of how precious life is and how quickly it can be gone."

Martha Stewart (via Twitter):"Just heard the tragic news about poor Natasha Richardson. Her family must be devastated. My sincerest condolences to all."

Regis and Joy Philbin:"They live around the corner from us. It's such a surprise. She's a lovely woman. Liam and those two little boys are great. They're a lovely family."

Jane Fonda:"I first met her on the set of Julia [the 1977 drama, starring Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave]. She was a little girl but already beautiful and graceful. It didn't surprise me that she became such a talented actor. I wanted to go to the Lenox Hill Hospital where I was told she had been taken to see if there was anything I could do for Vanessa [Redgrave], any comfort I could bring, but today was a two-show day and as the curtain went up tonight, I heard the tragic news. It is hard to even imagine what it must be like for her family. My heart is heavy."

Joan Rivers:"We spent one amazing day on a boat with my whole family and she and Liam and the boys. They were such a family. I mean just shouldn't have happened. And they made such a good-looking couple too. He doted on what she said, she doted on -- it was just perfect."

Director Atom Egoyan:"I had the opportunity to meet Natasha at the opening of the play I did withLiam [Neeson, Richardson's husband] in New York last year. Her intense pride and affection for her husband was so clear, as was his passion and love for her. I'm so devastated for Liam's loss."

Director Sam Mendes:"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 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."

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