Neeson, Redgrave Hold Wake for Natasha Richardson

Australia

Neeson, Redgrave Hold Wake for Natasha Richardson

Fri., Mar. 20, 2009 1:55 PM PDT by Breanne L. Heldman

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Natasha Richardson's loved ones gathered Friday for her wake.

Husband Liam Neeson, mother Vanessa Redgrave, sister Joely Richardson and sons Micheál Richard Antonio, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12, were among the mourners attending the private viewing at the American Irish Historical Society in Manhattan.

Mother and sister held each other as they entered the Fifth Avenue building across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Neeson and the boys arrived in a black Mercedes.

Diane Sawyer and Uma Thurman were among the close friends who turned out to pay their respects to the family.

The entire Upper East side block was cordoned off and media and others were kept at a distance behind police barricades.

The Tony-winning actress was transported from the Greenwich Village Funeral Home to the Historical Society Friday morning, the funeral home director told Newsday.

Today's private gathering follows the more public tribute Thursday evening, when the lights of Broadway went dark in her honor.

Daisy Bevan, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Richardson died Wednesday following severe brain injury from a skiing accident Monday afternoon. She was 45.

Funeral services will be held Sunday in upstate New York, after which her remains will be interred near the famous couple's second home in the town of Millbrook.