Liam Neeson, star of the recent film ‘Taken 2’, attended the American Theater Wing’s Annual Gala in New York. The Gala was held at the Plaza Hotel on Monday, September 24. He went with the mother and sister of his late wife, Natasha Richardson.

The event paid tribute to the six generations in the Richardson family who have contributed to theater. Liam and Natasha were two members of the family pointed out for distinction. Other honored family members included Vanessa, Joely, Corin, Michael, Lynn, and Rachel Kempson.  Executive director of the organization Heather Hitchens said about the Redgrave family, “I don’t know of another family with six generations of actors in it.”

Joely Richardson wore a long sleeved silver gown with her blond hair tied back in a high ponytail. Vanessa Richardson wore a black pant suit.

Neeson lost his wife three years ago in a skiing accident in Canada. The couple had married in 1994 and had two sons together. Neeson talked to Esquire about his grief in an interview last year. He said, “It hits you in the middle of the night- well, it hits me in the middle of the night. I’m out walking. I’m feeling quite content. And it’s like suddenly, boom. It’s like you’ve just done that in your chest.”

The Gala also paid tribute to Theodore S. Chapin, former chair of the American Theater Wing and the executive director of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization.

This year’s Gala event was the most successful in the organization’s history and raised nearly $600,000. All proceeds from the event went to American Theater Wings’ education and outreach programs. Their programs include SpringboardNYC, the Theater Intern Group, the National Theatre Company Grants and the Jonathan Larson Grants. 

The Redgrave family is known for its artists, including ten celebrated actors in addition to director Carlo Nero and photographer Annabel Clarke. The family can boast of twelve Tony Award nominations and two wins as well as ten Academy Award nominations and one win.