His Star Mom Was Gone Too Soon, But Wait Until You See the Unexpected Way He Honored Her Legacy

Two stars met and felt a strong connection, but the timing wasn’t ideal—one of them was still married. Even with these early challenges, their bond grew, and they shared a beautiful partnership for 15 years until tragedy struck. During their time together, they raised two children, and one would later pay a special tribute to their mother.

After his wife’s sudden death, a well-known actor had to become a single father. Although he felt unsure at first, he managed to handle parenthood well.

The children had to grow up fast. Though their father had many doubts, fears, and worries about raising them alone, they matured into adults their parents would be proud of. Following in their parents’ footsteps, both children pursued acting careers.

The stars met in 1993 while acting together in the Broadway play Anna Christie. At the time, she was married, but they still fell in love. The actor said he felt a strong chemistry with her—something he’d never experienced before. Their connection even earned their show a Tony nomination.

During that period, her marriage ended, and though she knew falling in love was risky, she couldn’t help it. Despite his reputation as a “ladies’ man,” she didn’t mind. She said, “I’m pleased that women fall in love with him because I know why.”

For her 30th birthday, he sent her a card from the set of Schindler’s List, but it wasn’t romantic. She replied by asking him about their relationship, making him realize he’d fallen in love with her. Shortly after, they married on a farm in New York in the summer of 1994. Their first son was born in 1995, and their second son arrived 18 months later.

On March 16, 2009, the actress decided to take ski lessons in Québec, Canada. While on the beginners’ slope, she fell and hit her head on the hard snow. Although she dismissed it, her instructor called the ski patrol for help.Though they suggested she get checked, she signed a waiver declining help. She even joked about it when she called her husband. However, soon after, her headache worsened, and she showed signs of confusion. This time, an ambulance took her to a nearby hospital.

Her condition briefly improved, but as her confusion persisted, doctors decided to transfer her to a trauma center in Montréal. When her husband arrived, staff didn’t recognize him and wouldn’t let him in until a nurse took him through a back door. He found his wife on life support and learned she was brain dead. He remembered they’d agreed to let each other go if one ended up in this state.

He spoke to her one last time, telling her he loved her and would bring her to New York so family and friends could say goodbye. She passed away, leaving her two young sons.

Years after his mother’s tragic passing, her children had grown into young adults. Their eldest, Micheál, born June 22, 1995, began acting in 2013 with Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Since then, he has appeared in Vox Lux, Big Dogs, Broken Symphony, Paradise, Cold Pursuit (with his father), and Made in Italy.

Micheál was named in tribute to his grandfather, Michael Redgrave, who won an Oscar for Mourning Becomes Electra in 1947. To honor his dad’s Irish heritage, they chose the Irish variant, “Meehall.” Raised in New York, Micheál adopted an English accent for a film role. Immersed in acting from a young age, he saw his mom perform in Cabaret and his dad in The Crucible. In 2018, Micheál changed his last name to Richardson in memory of his mother, Natasha Richardson.

“It was mainly a homage to my mother, a way to carry her with me,” Micheál said. His father supported the choice, saying it was “a lovely gesture.” Natasha’s family was deeply touched, and Liam felt proud.

Micheál’s grandmother, Vanessa Redgrave, also supported him. She explained that even though tradition favors the man’s last name, she respected her grandson’s decision.

In 2015, Micheál reflected on family support after his mom’s death. He admitted he “went off the rails” for a while, filling the void with partying. Bono from U2, who had faced similar loss, shared his experience with Micheál, offering guidance and comfort.

Losing his mom at 13 was painful, but Micheál found strength in his grandmother, Vanessa, who became a supportive confidante. He emphasized cherishing memories, like his mom’s laughter and time spent together, to cope with his grief. He and his brother learned to honor their mother in small ways.

Micheál often thinks about his mom. “I was a mama’s boy growing up,” he said, adding, “she was really my best friend.” In 2020, he admitted he still struggles with her loss: “I think of her every day…It’s heartbreaking to me still…I don’t think I’ve fully comprehended it.”

Their Second Son, Daniel

The couple’s second son, Daniel, was born on August 27, 1996. Though he studied acting, Daniel works mostly behind the scenes in production. In 2016, he launched an eco-friendly clothing line called Pine Outfitters and later started a landscaping business, Willowglen Landscaping. In 2018, he co-founded De-Nada Tequila.

Daniel kept his father’s last name, Neeson. His mom was one of his biggest inspirations, always encouraging him to follow his passions. She told him, “Do what you want to do, but do it to your best and be generous with it.”

As a single father, Liam had fears for his sons during their teenage years, especially about them potentially getting into drugs. Though he raised them with good values, he wished his wife was there to share his worries.

Fortunately, Liam had a solid support system that helped him balance his career and parenthood. He shared that being a father helped him grow as a person, saying, “They really do help, in all sorts of quiet, subtle ways.”

Though parenting was challenging, especially when his sons didn’t always come home on time, Liam learned to adapt over time.