Tributes pour in for Natasha Richardson

Just a day after the tragic death of his wife, Natasha Richardson, actor Liam Neeson attended a tribute to her last night in their hometown of New York City.

Joined by a group of supportive friends and family, including his mother-in-law Vanessa Redgrave, and actors Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, he watched as theatres on Broadway dimmed their lights for a minute in honour of the actress who died Wednesday from from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident at Mont Tremblant.

Meanwhile, friends from around the world are offering their condolences and personal tributes to the late star:

Sam Mendes, who directed the 1998 revival of Cabaret, for which Richardson won a Tony Award, says "it defies belief that this gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman is gone."

Fellow British actor Jeremy Irons got emotional as he spoke about the tragedy on The Today Show: "It's... it's... absolutely terrible. It just reminds us how fragile life is. As a father and as a husband I feel for him - for the family - so, so much."

Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep both took the time to speak to the legacy Richardson leaves behind. Mirren says, "Natasha was a great actress, a fantastic mother, a loving wife and a whirlwind of energy, with an infectious love of life expressed firstly by her wonderful deep laugh. Anyone who knew her will be in mourning today. I hope that Liam and her sons are helped in their pain by the great love and sympathy that is coming to them from people all over the world." Streep adds, ""Tash was the warm sun in the center of a large constellation of family, friends, all of those lucky enough to know her - she is irreplaceable in our lives; she gave us so much, so generously - her legacy is the love that connects us all."

Jodie Foster, who starred alongside the couple in the 1994 movie Nell, released a statement remembering Richardson: "Natasha was brilliant, beautiful, funny, talented beyond measure, as emotionally raw as she was razor sharp. Tasha loved fiercely and that love continues in all of us who knew her. May Liam, her beautiful boys and her loving family hold her close as they move through this tragic moment."

Mia Farrow, who appeared with the late actress in the film Widow’s Peak, told WENN, "Tasha 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... have always made me feel a part of their wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with them."

Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, who was working with Neeson on the film set of Chloe when the actor first heard his wife was in a critical condition, speaks on the tragedy: "I had the opportunity to meet Natasha at the opening of the play I did with Liam 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."

Dame Judi Dench, who worked with the actress on the TV series Ghosts, says, "She had an incredibly luminous quality, that you seldom see, and a great sense of humour. I thought she was a really great actress... It’s just so shocking, really shocking, and I hope that everybody leaves the family quietly to somehow pick up the pieces."

And filmmaker Ken Russell, who directed Richardson in her 1986 debut Gothic, says, "She was one of the few modern actresses who was as smart as she was pretty, and as gentle as she was fierce. I loved her unashamedly, and wish her remarkable and wonderful mother, who must be suffering greatly at the moment, all courage and strength."

In addition to the the many personal acknowledgements of Natasha Richardson, staff at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where the actress studied, have said they plan to launch a scholarship fund in her memory.