Losing the love of your life is one of the most difficult things a person can experience. But going through the grieving process while raising children is even harder. This is a reality that actor Liam Neeson knows all too well. Liam, along with his two sons Micheál and Daniel, had to navigate a profound journey together following the loss of wife and mother Natasha Richardson in 2009.

Reflecting on Natasha’s tragic death, Liam opens up about the overwhelming sense of loss and confusion that has marked their lives. In an interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, Liam describes the surreal nature of the experience, saying: “[Her death] was never real. It still kind of isn’t. I was told she was brain dead. I’m seeing this X-ray, it was like, ‘Wow.’ I just told her I loved her and said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this.’”

Natasha passed away on March 18, 2009, two days after a skiing accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

Micheál, who was only 13 at the time of Natasha’s death, has also recently begun to open up about the profound impact of losing his mother. In fact, in 2018, he decided to change his last name to Richardson as a tribute to his mother, a decision Liam wholeheartedly supported.

Speaking about Micheál’s choice, Liam says: “I think he did the right thing. I think it was a lovely homage, a nice gesture, and he’s, you know, not saddled with my last name, which, I have a certain celebrity status, I guess.”

Liam emphasizes the significance of the name change, sharing that Natasha’s family, especially her sisters, welcomed it. “I’d hate for him to be constantly asked, ‘Oh, are you Liam Neeson’s son?’ So, it was a lovely gesture. Natasha’s family, mother, and sisters were very touched by it, as indeed I was too,” the actor adds.

He goes on to say: “I think he did the right thing. I think it was a lovely homage, a nice gesture, and he’s, you know, not saddled with my last name which, I have a certain celebrity status I guess.”

As a way to process their shared grief, Liam and Micheál collaborated on the film Made in Italy. The movie tells the story of a father and son navigating loss and attempting to sell the estate left behind by their wife and mother. Liam praises Micheál’s acting skills, saying: “I’m not gonna blow smoke up him, up his anus around him, but he does have a presence. Micheál, he really does.”

For both father and son, working on this project was a cathartic experience. It allowed them to delve into delicate emotions and explore their grief in a safe and artistic space. Liam reflects on the emotional depth of the film, stating: “It touches on very, very delicate stuff. Sometimes in art, you can explore stuff and it’s kind of safe, especially with a film. It was great. It was cathartic in lots of ways. It really was.”

In a touching moment, Liam reveals that when he first read the script, he felt a visceral reaction, like someone was grabbing his gut. It was then that he knew this would be an experience he could share with his son. “It really made my gut turn because it touched on something Micheál and I have both gone through, still going through 11 years after Natasha has died. And I thought, gosh, this would be fantastic if I could do it with Micheál,” he admits.

Despite the challenging subject matter, both Liam and Micheál embarked on the journey together. The film allowed them to process their grief, and in doing so, provide a relatable experience for others who have experienced loss. Made in Italy showcases the delicate nature of emotions and reminds us of the inevitable grief we may face in our own lives.

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