Stars of stage and screen, are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Natasha Richardson. Yesterday, the beautiful actress passed away from a head injury, caused by a ski accident in Montreal.

On Tuesday, Natasha was pronounced brain dead, and she was flown back to New York with her husband Liam Neeson by her side. He wanted her family and two little boys to have the opportunity to say goodbye.

Today, the acting community along with her family,  mourns the loss of an incredible actress.

Dame Judi Dench said she had a rare “luminous quality”, and that Richardson still had great work ahead of her.

Film-maker Ken Russell, who directed Richardson in her 1986 screen debut in Gothic, praised her “ephemeral delicacy and intelligent beauty”.

Director Sam Mendes called the star “a magnificent actress”.  The Oscar-winner, who worked with Richardson in a Broadway production of Cabaret, added: “It defies belief that this gifted, brave, tenacious, wonderful woman is gone.”

Regis Philbin and his wife, Joy, said, “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.”

Family friend Blythe Danner said, “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.”

So sad, it’s an important reminder how fragile life really is. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.