COLAGE Mourns the Passing of Natasha Richardson

COLAGE mourns, along with the world, the passing of a member of the COLAGE community, Natasha Richardson, whose father was bisexual film director Tony Richardson. A stage and screen performer, her career highlights included the film “Patty Hearst” and a Tony-winning performance in a stage revival of “Cabaret.” Natasha died Wednesday at age 45 after suffering a head injury during a beginners’ ski lesson.
A stage and screen performer, Natasha was the daughter of award-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and bisexual film director Tony Richardson. She also had a bisexual grandfather (Sir Michael Redgrave). Natasha lost her father, director Tony Richardson, to AIDS in 1991. Since her father’s death, she has taken a hands-on role in AIDS work, including organizing the American Foundation for AIDS Research’s hugely successful auction of Oscar dresses last year. Married to fellow actor Liam Neesom, Natasha is a mother of two sons. In the 2000 film, Blow Dry, Natasha portrayed a lesbian mother trying to resolve her relationship with her young adult son and former husband.
“When I was about 10 or 11 I said to my mother, “Is my papa gay?” She said yes, and I remember being very upset by that. I’m not sure quite why. There’s the social stigma when you’re in school… and I guess at the time you think your parents are gods. I guess, because of the world I’ve been brought up in, I just don’t categorize people. I don’t think, oh, that’s a bisexual person, that’s a gay person, that’s a straight person.” – Natasha Richardson
Our thoughts are with all the members of Natasha’s family during this tragic loss.