In Death, Natasha Richardson Gives Life

(AP)  People.com is reporting that Natasha Richardson's family has donated the actress's organs to save other patients' lives.

Citing a "family friend" it did not name, the celebrity Web site said Richardson's family had requested her organs be donated after she was taken off life support last week. The report did not say whether any patient had received them.

Alan Nierob, publicist for Richardson's husband Liam Neeson, said he had no information on the matter.

Richardson died March 18 at a Manhattan hospital after falling while skiing Monday at the Mont Tremblant resort in the Canadian province of Quebec. The New York City medical examiner's office said Richardson suffered from an epidural hematoma, which causes bleeding between the skull and the brain's covering. She wasn't wearing a helmet when she fell.

She was buried at a private ceremony in upstate New York over the weekend. Celebrities, who paid their respects included Diane Sawyer, Ethan Hawke and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Richardson is descended from one of Britain's great acting dynasties but built her own reputation in films such as "Patty Hearst" and "The Handmaid's Tale," as well as for her work on the stage. She won a Tony for her role in the 1998 revival of "Cabaret."

She costarred with future husband Neeson in the 1993 revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Anna Christie." The two married at their secluded Millbrook home the next year.

Her final feature film, "Wild Child," has been released internationally but not in the U.S., and Universal Pictures said a U.S. release date had not been scheduled.

[emilyelk]

What an incredibly generous act. It's made me decide to carry an organ donor card.

Maybe, as well as lives being saved by raised awareness of the risks of head injury and the importance of helmets while skiing, there will also be the benefits of organs for a few of the many people needing transplants and a resolve among others to follow this example and carry donor cards.

[Phxfire]

It's official, newstar1 IS a sad excuse for a human being and a little, little man/woman.

It is an honorable act to donate the organs of a loved one. Instead of the loss of many, we are able to give life to them instead.

[DaveMathew]

Canada cares responsible for Richardson's death? FY (Canadian reply)

youtube.com/watch?v=HQ4McUQs8yQ

[ReginaFilangee]

Death is a natural part of/ending to life. It is meant to be. No amount of prayer can stop it....that's not the purpose of prayer. Prayer is for the living. Organs which are no longer being used are also for the living.....not to simply rot in the ground when someone else needs them.

If someone can't understand that, it's only their loss.

Again, my heart and prayers go out to the friends and family of Natasha....in understanding of their sorrow for her death.

[shereen1979]

gone but never will be forgotten just like princess dianna...beauty grace and genorisity...we love u natasha....god be with your family...who will miss you dearly....

[ReginaFilangee]

What an amazing, selfless act.

My heart and prayers go out to the family of Natasha Richardson.

[frustratedsr]

Thank you, family of Natasha, for donating her organs so that others may have a better quality of life. This is such an unselfish gesture at a time when grieving for her loss is uppermost in your minds. I have a cadaver kidney transplant and thank the donor's family every day for my wonderful gift of life.

[barbaraf4]

What a wonderful gesture! I would assume her organs have already been given to others, because most tissues do not have a very long shelf life.

[hockeymom441]

This was so wonderful to hear in the midst of this sad story. I'm so happy that her family was able to find the strength to do this at such a difficult time. God bless them!

[Dee1958]

She had a good heart, and if anyone has received it, they will feel the giving spirit of Natasha. I have read that people who receive organs from another DO mysteriously pick up certain traits and likes and dislikes of the donor. So Natasha gave much more than her body parts, she gave her loving and generous spirit. BLESS Liam Neeson and Micheal and Daniel for their gift at this difficult time. She is smiling at them with sparkling eyes and will rejoice every time they find a reason to laugh or smile. And she will smile on in those fortunate and blessed recipients.