Tony Award-winning actress and wife of actor Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, died Wednesday at age 45 after suffering a head injury from a skiing accident.

Liam Neeson’s publicist, Alan Nierob, confirmed the tragic news in a written statement:

“Liam Neeson, his sons (Micheal and Daniel), and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha.  They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

No specifics were given on the cause of Richardson’s other than that she fell during a private skiing lesson at the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec.   She was hospitalized Tuesday in Montreal and later flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York where she died.

Born in London on May 11,1963, Richardson inherited the acting gene from her Academy Awarding-winning mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and enjoyed a long and successful career of her own starring in many prominent roles including the remake of “The Parent Trap,” a New York Production of Tennessee Williams’ “A streetcar Names Desire,” and Paul Schrader’s “Patty Hearst.”

She is survived by husband Liam Neeson and their two sons Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12.