Editing Liam Neeson

{{Short description|Actor from Northern Ireland (born 1952)}}
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{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Liam Neeson
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| image              = Liam Neeson at 2008 TIFF (cropped) (HQ).jpg
| caption            = Neeson in 2008
| birth_name         = William John Neeson
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|06|07}}
| birth_place        = [[Ballymena]], [[County Antrim]], Northern Ireland
| nationality        = <!-- Do not add a nationality and/or remove this note without discussing at the talk page. -->
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1976–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Natasha Richardson]]|1994|2009|end=died}}
| partner            = [[Helen Mirren]] (1980–1985)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/helen-mirren-says-she-and-ex-liam-neeson-loved-each-other-but-were-not-meant-to-be-together/|title=Helen Mirren Says She and Ex Liam Neeson 'Loved Each Other' But 'Were Not Meant to Be Together'|date=2022-11-22|access-date=2023-01-28|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128191435/https://people.com/movies/helen-mirren-says-she-and-ex-liam-neeson-loved-each-other-but-were-not-meant-to-be-together/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/liam-neeson-helen-mirren-talk-past-relationship/|title=Liam Neeson Recalls First Falling for Former Flame Helen Mirren: 'I Was Smitten'|date=2018-01-19|access-date=2023-01-28|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128191437/https://people.com/movies/liam-neeson-helen-mirren-talk-past-relationship/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| children           = 2, including [[Micheál Richardson]]
| works              = [[Liam Neeson filmography|Full list]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Liam Neeson|Full list]]
}}

'''William John Neeson''' (born 7 June 1952) is an actor from [[Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Liam Neeson promotes Northern Ireland tourism|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26504259|work=[[BBC News]]|date=10 March 2014|access-date=29 December 2015|archive-date=30 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530233532/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26504259|url-status=live}}</ref> He has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Liam Neeson|several accolades]], including nominations for an [[Academy Award]], a [[British Academy Film Award|BAFTA Award]], three [[Golden Globe Awards]], and two [[Tony Awards]]. In 2020, he was placed seventh on ''[[The Irish Times]]'' list of Ireland's 50 Greatest Film Actors.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Donald|last2=Brady|first2=Tara|date=13 June 2020|title=The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-50-greatest-irish-film-actors-of-all-time-in-order-1.4271988|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805112424/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-50-greatest-irish-film-actors-of-all-time-in-order-1.4271988|url-status=live}}</ref> Neeson was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in 2000.<ref name="Wilson 4">{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jamie |title=Top billing at last for veteran entertainers; Showbusiness Awards for Elizabeth Taylor and Shirley Bassey |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=31 December 1999 |location=London |page=4}}</ref>

Neeson made his film debut in 1978 with  ''[[The Pilgrim's Progress#Dramatizations, music, and film|Pilgrim's Progress]]'' followed by early roles in ''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]'' (1981), ''[[The Bounty (1984 film)|The Bounty]]'' (1984), ''[[The Mission (1986 film)|The Mission]]'' (1986), ''[[The Dead Pool]]'' (1988), and ''[[Husbands and Wives]]'' (1992). He rose to prominence portraying [[Oskar Schindler]] in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s [[Holocaust]] [[drama film|drama]] ''[[Schindler's List]]'' (1993) for which he earned an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] nomination. He played [[leading man]] roles in drama films such as ''[[Nell (film)|Nell]]'' (1994), ''[[Rob Roy (1995 film)|Rob Roy]]'' (1995), ''[[Michael Collins (film)|Michael Collins]]'' (1996), and ''[[Les Misérables (1998 film)|Les Misérables]]'' (1998). He took blockbuster roles portraying [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999), [[Ra's al Ghul]] in ''[[Batman Begins]]'' (2005), and [[Aslan]] in  ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)|The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' trilogy (2005–2010).

Neeson acted in films such as the [[historical drama]] ''[[Gangs of New York]]'' (2002), the [[romantic comedy]] ''[[Love Actually]]'' (2003), the biographical drama ''[[Kinsey (film)|Kinsey]]'' (2004), the [[erotic thriller]] ''[[Chloe (2009 film)|Chloe]]'' (2009), the religious drama ''[[Silence (2016 film)|Silence]]'' (2016), the [[fantasy film]] ''[[A Monster Calls (film)|A Monster Calls]]'' (2016), the [[crime thriller]] ''[[Widows (2018 film)|Widows]]'' (2018), the [[anthology film]] ''[[The Ballad of Buster Scruggs]]'' (2018), and the [[romantic drama]] ''[[Ordinary Love (film)|Ordinary Love]]'' (2019). Beginning in 2009, Neeson cemented himself as an action star with the action thriller series ''[[Taken (franchise)|Taken]]'' (2008–2014), ''[[The A-Team (film)|The A-Team]]'' (2010), ''[[The Grey (film)|The Grey]]'' (2011), ''[[Wrath of the Titans]]'' (2012), ''[[A Walk Among the Tombstones (film)|A Walk Among the Tombstones]]'' (2014), and ''[[Cold Pursuit]]'' (2019). He is known for his collaborations in the genre with the director [[Jaume Collet-Serra]] and starred in four of his films: ''[[Unknown (2011 film)|Unknown]]'' (2011), ''[[Non-Stop (film)|Non-Stop]]'' (2014), ''[[Run All Night (film)|Run All Night]]'' (2015), and ''[[The Commuter (film)|The Commuter]]'' (2018). 

On stage, Neeson joined the [[Lyric Players' Theatre]] in [[Belfast]] in 1976 for two years. On [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] he earned two [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]] nominations for his performances as Matt Burke in the revival of [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s ''[[Anna Christie]]'' (1992) and John Proctor in the [[Arthur Miller]] revival of ''[[The Crucible]]'' (2002). He portrayed [[Oscar Wilde]] in [[David Hare (playwright)|David Hare]]'s ''[[The Judas Kiss (play)|The Judas Kiss]]'' (1998).

==Early life==
Neeson was born in [[Ballymena|Ballymena, County Antrim]],<ref name="swe">{{cite web|last=Morales|first=Tatiana|date=15 December 2004|title=Liam Neeson on Kinsey|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/liam-neeson-on-kinsey/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524212543/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/15/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main661155.shtml|archive-date=May 24, 2011|website=CBS News}}</ref> the son of primary school caretaker Bernard "Barney" Neeson and cook Katherine "Kitty" Neeson (née Brown).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/liam_neeson_biog.html |title=Liam Neeson Biography |website=Tiscali |access-date=18 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118084156/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/liam_neeson_biog.html |archive-date=18 January 2007 }}</ref> His mother was born and raised in [[Waterford]] in the [[South-East Region, Ireland|south-east]] of Ireland.<ref name="neesonwaterford">{{cite web | title=Liam Neeson reveals he still talks to late wife Natasha Richardson 'every day' | date=September 2023| url=https://vipmagazine.ie/liam-neeson-reveals-he-still-talks-to-late-wife-natasha-richardson-everyday/| access-date=14 December 2023 | archive-date=3 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903090728/https://vipmagazine.ie/liam-neeson-reveals-he-still-talks-to-late-wife-natasha-richardson-everyday/| url-status=live }}</ref> Brought up Catholic,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/liam-neeson-bloody-sunday-made-me-learn-my-history-14251304.html |title=Liam Neeson: Bloody Sunday made me learn my history |newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=9 May 2010 |archive-date=25 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225233012/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/liam-neeson-bloody-sunday-made-me-learn-my-history-14251304.html |url-status=live }}: (Commentary;''"Hollywood superstar Liam Neeson has told how he grew up in a religious Catholic background untouched by the Troubles."'')</ref> he was named Liam after a local priest.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Liam Neeson Puts the Kettle On |magazine=GQ |last=Mansfield |first=Stephanie |date=December 1993}}</ref> He has three sisters, Elizabeth, Bernadette, and Rosaleen.<ref>{{cite news | title=Liam Neeson's mother dies at the age of 94 | newspaper=The Irish Times | date=June 8, 2020 | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/liam-neeson-s-mother-dies-at-the-age-of-94-1.4273470 | access-date=August 27, 2023 | archive-date=27 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827093957/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/liam-neeson-s-mother-dies-at-the-age-of-94-1.4273470 | url-status=live }}</ref> He attended [[St Patrick's College, Ballymena]], from 1963 to 1967, and later recalled that his love of drama began there.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coleman |first1=Maureen |title=Liam Neeson's special movie for his old Ballymena school |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/liam-neesons-special-movie-for-his-old-ballymena-school-28497684.html |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=7 October 2009 |archive-date=24 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724125937/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/liam-neesons-special-movie-for-his-old-ballymena-school-28497684.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He said that growing up as a Catholic in a predominantly Protestant town made him cautious,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/liam-neesons-catholic-faith-has-waned-but-mum-still-devout-at-90-35321489.html |first=Brett |last=Anderson |title=Liam Neeson's Catholic faith has waned but mum still devout at 90 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |date=27 December 2016 |access-date=28 December 2016 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228141345/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/liam-neesons-catholic-faith-has-waned-but-mum-still-devout-at-90-35321489.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and once said he felt like a "second-class citizen" there,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/389882.stm |title=Star Wars actor rattles sabres |date=9 July 1999 |website=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=12 March 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040312195759/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/389882.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but has also said he was never made to feel "inferior or even different" at the town's predominantly Protestant technical college.<ref name="Telegraph"/> "It would be colourful to imagine I had a rebellious, uproarious Irish background," he has said, "but the facts were much greyer. Irish, yes. But all that nationalistic stuff, crying into your [[Guinness]] and singing rebel songs—that was never my scene."<ref>Ingrid Millar, ''Liam Neeson: The First Biography'' (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1995), p. 45</ref> He has described himself as "out of touch" with the [[Politics of Northern Ireland|politics and history of Northern Ireland]] until becoming aware of protests by fellow students after [[Bloody Sunday (1972)|Bloody Sunday]], a massacre in [[Derry]] in 1972 during [[the Troubles]], which encouraged him to learn more local history.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/liam-neeson-bloody-sunday-made-me-learn-my-history-28474042.html |title=Liam Neeson: Bloody Sunday made me learn my history |date=1 April 2009 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410112327/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/liam-neeson-bloody-sunday-made-me-learn-my-history-28474042.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/liam-neeson-speaks-in-public-for-first-time-since-natashas-tragic-death-44508687-237641371 |title=Liam Neeson speaks in public for first time since Natasha's death |first=Kenneth |last=Haynes |date=6 May 2009 |website=IrishCentral.com |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410111959/https://www.irishcentral.com/news/liam-neeson-speaks-in-public-for-first-time-since-natashas-tragic-death-44508687-237641371 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2009 interview, he said, "I never stop thinking about [the Troubles]. I've known guys and girls who have been perpetrators of violence and victims. Protestants and Catholics. It's part of my DNA."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/neeson-i-will-never-get-over-the-troubles-53047712-237654641 |title=Liam Neeson: 'I will never get over the Troubles' |first=Kelly |last=Fincham |date=12 August 2009 |website=IrishCentral.com |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410094733/https://www.irishcentral.com/news/neeson-i-will-never-get-over-the-troubles-53047712-237654641 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At age nine, Neeson began boxing lessons at the All Saints Youth Club, and went on to win a number of regional titles before quitting at 17.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/17/liam-neeson-manny-pacquiao-boxing-film_n_6170232.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231043021/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/17/liam-neeson-manny-pacquiao-boxing-film_n_6170232.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2018 |title=Liam Neeson Digs into His Own Boxing Past For 'Manny' Documentary, About Ring Legend Manny Pacquiao|website=www.huffingtonpost.co.uk |access-date=17 May 2018 |date=17 November 2014}}</ref> He acted in school productions during his teens.<ref name="photoplay">{{cite magazine |title=A Man With a Mission |magazine=[[Photoplay]] (UK) |last=Dewson |first=Lisa |date=June 1986}}</ref> His interest in acting and decision to become an actor were also influenced by [[Ian Paisley]], founder of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP), into whose [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]] he sneaked. He said, "[Paisley] had a magnificent presence and it was incredible to watch him just Bible-thumping away... it was acting, but it was also great acting and stirring too."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7128424.stm |title=Neeson Reveals Paisley Influence |website=BBC News |access-date=5 December 2007 |date=5 December 2007 |archive-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709110920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7128424.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1971, he joined a physics and computer science course at [[Queen's University Belfast]] before leaving to work for the [[Guinness Brewery]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8037845.stm |title=Liam Neeson graduates 40 years on |website=BBC News |access-date=9 June 2009 |date=7 May 2009 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509053200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8037845.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> At Queen's, he discovered a talent for [[Association football|football]] and was spotted by [[Seán Thomas]] at [[Bohemian F.C.|Bohemian FC]]. There was a club trial in [[Dublin]] and Neeson played one game as a substitute against [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers FC]], but was not offered a contract.<ref>{{cite book |title=Gaffers: 50 years of Irish football managers |first=Trevor |last=Keane |location=Cork |publisher=Mercier Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-85635-666-4}}</ref>

==Career==
===1976–1993: Rise to prominence ===
After leaving university, Neeson returned to Ballymena, where he worked in a variety of casual jobs, such as a [[forklift]] operator at Guinness and a lorry driver.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Independent |first=The |date=2013-01-29 |title=Liam Neeson returns to home town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland {{!}} The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-returns-to-home-town-of-ballymena-northern-ireland-8471007.html |access-date=2024-06-11 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harte |first=Lauren |date=2022-06-05 |title=Liam Neeson's career to date as actor prepares to turn 70 |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/liam-neeson-ballymena-mans-career-24133469 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}</ref> He also attended teacher training college for two years in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] before again returning to his hometown. In 1976, he joined the [[Lyric Theatre, Belfast|Lyric Players Theatre]] in [[Belfast]], where he performed for two years. He got his first film experience in 1977, playing [[Jesus Christ]] and The Evangelist in the religious film ''[[The Pilgrim's Progress#Dramatizations, music, and film|Pilgrim's Progress]]'' (1978). He moved to Dublin in 1978 when he was offered a part in Ron Hutchinson's ''Says I, Says He'', a drama about [[The Troubles]], at the [[Project Arts Centre]]. He acted in several other Project productions and joined the [[Abbey Theatre]] (the National Theatre of Ireland).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BFI Screenonline: Neeson, Liam (1952-) Biography |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/490910/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> In 1980, he performed with Stephen Rea, Ray McAnally and Mick Lally, playing Doalty in Brian Friel's play ''[[Translations (play)|Translations]]'', the first production of Friel's and Rea's Field Day Theatre Company, first presented in the Guildhall in [[Derry]] on 23 September 1980.<ref>{{cite book |title=Translations |first=B. |last=Friel |year=1981 |location=London |publisher=Faber and Faber |isbn=978-0-57111-742-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/translations00frie_1 }}</ref>

In 1980, filmmaker [[John Boorman]] saw him on stage as Lennie Small in ''[[Of Mice and Men (play)|Of Mice and Men]]'' and offered him the role of [[Sir Gawain]] in the [[King Arthur|Arthurian]] film ''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]''. After the role, Neeson moved to London, where he continued working on stage, and in small-budget films and television. He lived with actress [[Helen Mirren]], whom he met working on ''Excalibur''.<ref name="elle">{{cite magazine |title=Neeson Easy: Tall, Dark and Phantom |magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] (UK) |last=McHugh |first=Fionnuala |date=September 1988}}</ref> Between 1982 and 1987, he starred in five films, most notably with [[Mel Gibson]] and [[Anthony Hopkins]] in 1984's ''[[The Bounty (1984 film)|The Bounty]]'' and [[Robert De Niro]] and [[Jeremy Irons]] in 1986's ''[[The Mission (1986 film)|The Mission]]''. Neeson guest-starred in the third season of the television series ''[[Miami Vice]]'' in 1986, and moved to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] the next year to take higher-profile roles.<ref name="elle"/> He starred with [[Cher]] and [[Dennis Quaid]] in ''[[Suspect (1987 film)|Suspect]]'', which brought him critical acclaim. In 1988, he appeared with Clint Eastwood in the fifth [[Dirty Harry (film series)|Dirty Harry]] film, ''[[The Dead Pool]]'', as Peter Swan, a horror film director. In 1990, he had a starring role in [[Sam Raimi]]'s ''[[Darkman]]''. Although the film was successful, Neeson's subsequent years did not bring him the same recognition. He also starred in the eponymous role for the film ''[[Ethan Frome (film)|Ethan Frome]]'' (1993).

===1993–2000: Breakthrough and acclaim ===
[[Steven Spielberg]] offered Neeson the role of [[Oskar Schindler]] in his [[the Holocaust|holocaust]] film ''[[Schindler's List]]''<ref>{{cite news |title=Liam Neeson |newspaper=[[Newsday]] |last=de Vries |first=Hilary |date=3 July 1993}}</ref> after seeing him in ''[[Anna Christie]]'' on Broadway. [[Kevin Costner]], [[Mel Gibson]] and [[Warren Beatty]] all expressed interest in the part<ref name=inside>{{cite web |first=Susan |last=Royal |title=An Interview with Steven Spielberg |website=Inside Film Magazine Online |url=http://www.insidefilm.com/spielberg.html |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-date=24 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024060256/http://www.insidefilm.com/spielberg.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=makinghistory>{{cite magazine |title=Spielberg and 'Schindler's List': How it came together |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Anne |last=Thompson |date=21 January 1994 |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/01/21/spielberg-and-schindlers-list-how-it-came-together/ |access-date=8 August 2007 |archive-date=15 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015004920/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300806,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (Beatty even auditioned),<ref name="inside"/> but Neeson was cast in December 1992 after auditioning for the role.<ref name=makinghistory/> He read the Keneally book and concluded that his character "enjoyed fookin'{{sic}} with the Nazis. In Keneally's book, it says he was regarded as a kind of a buffoon by them... if the Nazis were New Yorkers, he was from [[Arkansas]]. They don't quite take him seriously, and he used that to full effect."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Liam Neeson joins the A-List after 'Schindler's List' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=21 January 1994 |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/01/21/liam-neeson-joins-list-after-schindlers-list/ |access-date=8 August 2007 |archive-date=15 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015004925/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300807_2,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His critically acclaimed performance earned him a nomination for a [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] Oscar, and helped the film earn [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] of 1993. He also received [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] and [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globes]] nominations for the performance. 

In 1993, Neeson made his [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] debut playing Mat Burke in the revival of the [[Eugene O'Neill]] play ''[[Anna Christie]]'' starring opposite his ''Ellis Island'' co-star and future wife [[Natasha Richardson]]. For his performance he was nominated for the [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.playbill.com/production/anna-christie-criterion-center-stage-right-vault-0000003832|title= Anna Christie (Broadway, 1993)|website= Playbill|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> The following year they also worked together in ''[[Nell (film)|Nell]]'' (1994) starring [[Jodie Foster]]. He then took leading roles in the [[period piece]] drama films including playing the lead role of [[Rob Roy MacGregor]] in the historical drama  ''[[Rob Roy (1995 film)|Rob Roy]]'' (1995) opposite [[Jessica Lange]], [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]], and [[Tim Roth]]. Critic [[Roger Ebert]] of ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praised his ability to be a [[leading man]] writing, "Neeson, tall and grand, makes an effortless hero as ''Rob Roy''".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rob-roy-1995|title= Rob Roy movie review|website= [[Roger Ebert|Rogerebert.com]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> 

The following year he acted in [[Neil Jordan]]'s historical drama ''[[Michael Collins (film)|Michael Collins]]'' (1996) alongside [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Alan Rickman]]. Neeson portrayed the [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|title role]] as the Irish revolutionary leading the fight for Irish independence. The film premiered at the [[Venice Film Festival]] where it received the [[Golden Lion]] with Neeson earning the [[Volpi Cup for Best Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The awards of the Venice Film Festival |url=http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/history/awards1.html?back=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214222519/http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/history/awards1.html?back=true |archive-date=14 February 2017 |access-date=2024-03-21 |publisher=Labiennale.org}}</ref> He later earning nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Golden Globe Nominations|url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/golden-globe-nominations-2-1117436552/|access-date=21 March 2024|work=Variety|date=19 December 1996}}</ref> Todd McCarthy of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised his performance writing, "Neeson is a compulsive dynamo as Collins, with the actor seizing his part with a passion and boldness utterly in keeping with the character’s approach to life and his cause".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/michael-collins-1200446989/|title= Michael Collins review|website= March 21, 2024|date= 3 September 1996}}</ref>

Neeson portrayed [[Jean Valjean]] in the 1998 adaptation of [[Victor Hugo]]'s ''[[Les Misérables (1998 film)|Les Misérables]]'' directed by [[Bille August]]. He starred alongside [[Uma Thurman]], [[Geoffrey Rush]], and [[Claire Danes]]. Writing of Neeson's performance, [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "[He] plays the role with the sure physical authority and profound decency that are fundamental to Valjean's character" adding, "With a first-rate cast and a venerable storytelling style, it fluently condenses Victor Hugo's epic novel and retrieves some of its suspenseful momentum."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/film/050198lesmis-film-review.html|title= 'Les Miserables': A Cat-And-Mouse Game Amid Epic Turbulence|website= [[The New York Times]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> That same year he returned to the stage in the [[David Hare (playwright)|David Hare]] play ''[[The Judas Kiss (play)|The Judas Kiss]]'' (1998) portraying [[Oscar Wilde]] which ran at both the [[Almeida Theatre]] in the [[West End (theatre)|West End]] and the [[Broadhurst Theatre]] on [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/88209-the-judas-kiss-at-playhouse-theatre-1998|title= The Judas Kiss at The Almeida Theatre|website= Abouttheartists|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> He acted alongside [[Tom Hollander]] and [[Peter Capaldi]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.playbill.com/production/the-judas-kiss-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000002000|title= The Judas Kiss (Broadway, 1998)|website= Playbill|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> In 1999 he acted in the [[supernatural horror]] film ''[[The Haunting (1999 film)|The Haunting]]'' (1999) opposite [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]].

===1999–2007: Blockbuster roles ===
[[File:Wax Museum Plus (6344782431).jpg|thumb|left|Wax figures of Neeson as [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] fighting [[Darth Maul]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menance]]'']]
In 1999, Neeson starred as [[Jedi|Jedi Master]] [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''. Director [[George Lucas]] cast Neeson because he considered him a "master actor, who the other actors will look up to, who has got the qualities of strength that the character demands."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |title=Star Wars Episode I: Production Notes |date=1 May 1999 |website=LucasFilm |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archive-date=23 October 2004}}</ref> As the first ''[[Star Wars]]'' film to be released in 16 years, it was surrounded by media anticipation. Neeson's connection to ''Star Wars'' started in the [[Crown Liquor Saloon|Crown Bar]], [[Belfast]]. He told [[Ricki Lake]], "I probably wouldn't have taken the role if it wasn't for the advice of Peter King in the Crown during a Lyric reunion."{{Clarify |date=December 2012}} Despite mixed reviews from critics and fans,<ref>{{cite web |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=19 May 1999 |publisher=[[Flixster]] |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/ |access-date=14 February 2012 |archive-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515010020/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the film was a box office success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world |title=All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=12 March 2009 |archive-date=27 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427204903/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neeson's performance as Qui-Gon received positive reviews<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,64044,00.html |title=Movie Review: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=21 May 1999 |access-date=29 March 2009 |archive-date=5 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305071346/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,64044,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=7324 |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace |last=Kennedy |first=Colin |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021041751/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=7324 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a [[Saturn Award]] nomination. A stock recording of his voice from ''The Phantom Menace'' can be heard during a scene in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002).<ref name=tor>{{cite web |url=http://www.tor.com/2011/01/26/the-real-qui-gon-jinn-returns/ |title=The Real Qui-Gon Jinn Returns! |date=26 January 2011 |website=Tor.com |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=29 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329093402/http://www.tor.com/2011/01/26/the-real-qui-gon-jinn-returns/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Neeson was later reported to be appearing in ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005),<ref name="USA Today">{{cite news |last=Keck |first=William |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-01-09-palm-springs_x.htm |title=Movie-star night in Palm Springs |newspaper=USA Today |date=10 January 2005 |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-date=20 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420233707/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-01-09-palm-springs_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> but ultimately did not. In the animated television series ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' (2008–20), he voiced Qui-Gon in two episodes of the third season and one episode of the sixth season,<ref name="tor"/> and he also made a voice cameo as Qui-Gon in ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom|title=25 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameos You Might Have Missed|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|date=20 December 2019|magazine=Vanity Fair|last2=Robinson|first2=Joanna|access-date=3 January 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234554/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom|url-status=live}}</ref> Neeson appeared as Qui-Gon in the final episode of ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'' (2022), appearing as a force ghost to [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Obi-Wan]], in an uncredited cameo, marking his first live-action portrayal of Qui-Gon since ''The Phantom Menace.'' He later voiced Qui-Gon again for an episode of the animated ''[[Tales of the Jedi (TV series)|Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi]]'' (2022).

Neeson narrated the 2001 documentaries ''Journey into Amazing Caves'', a short film about two scientists who travel around the world to search for material for potential cures; and ''The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Adventure''. The latter won awards at a number of film festivals including Best Documentary from both the [[Chicago Film Critics Association]] and the [[National Board of Review]]. Neeson returned to Broadway in the revival of the [[Arthur Miller]] play ''[[The Crucible]]'' acting opposite [[Laura Linney]]. For his performance as John Proctor he received a nomination for the [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.playbill.com/production/the-crucible-virginia-theatre-vault-0000005231|title= The Crucible (Broadway, 2002)|website= Playbill|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> [[Charles Isherwood]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised Neeson writing, "In his thoughtful performance as Proctor, the effortlessly charismatic Neeson subtly delineates a man’s moral evolution as Proctor moves from casual scorn for the proceedings to outrage to soul-stricken despair" adding, "Perhaps the finest aspect of Neeson’s performance is its admirable restraint".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2002/legit/reviews/the-crucible-4-1200550987/|title= The Crucible|website= Variety|date= 8 March 2002|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> That same year Neeson acted with [[Harrison Ford]] in [[Kathryn Bigelow]]'s 2002 submarine thriller ''[[K-19: The Widowmaker]]'' as Captain Mikhail Polenin. He was also on the cast of [[Martin Scorsese]]'s historical drama ''[[Gangs of New York]]'' with [[Daniel Day-Lewis]], [[Leonardo DiCaprio]], and [[Cameron Diaz]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://collider.com/gangs-of-new-york-opening-scorsese/|title= 'Gangs of New York's Opening Sequence Is Scorsese at His Finest|website= Collider|date= 10 January 2023|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref>

In 2003, he played a recently widowed writer in [[Richard Curtis]]'s romantic comedy ensemble ''[[Love Actually]]'' (2003) acting alongside [[Hugh Grant]], [[Colin Firth]], [[Emma Thompson]], [[Alan Rickman]], and [[Laura Linney]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/11/13/liam_neeson_love_actually_interview.shtml |title=Liam Neeson Love Actually interview |website=BBC |access-date=18 April 2007 |last=Lee |first=Alana |date=13 November 2003 |archive-date=3 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503045617/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/11/13/liam_neeson_love_actually_interview.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a commercial success and has since become a [[cult classic]] and holiday favorite.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://people.com/movies/love-actually-movie-trivia/|title= 23 Things You Never Knew About 'Love Actually'|website= March 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/lists/best-christmas-movies/about-a-boy-2002-2/|title= The 45 Best Christmas Movies of All Time|website= Variety|date= 17 November 2023|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3798042113/|title= Love Actually|website= Boxofficemojo|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> The following year he portrayed [[Alfred Kinsey]] in the biographical drama ''[[Kinsey (film)|Kinsey]]'' reuniting with [[Laura Linney]] and [[Peter Sarsgaard]] and [[John Lithgow]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kinsey|title= Kinsey|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> Neeson received a nomination for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] losing to Leonardo DiCaprio for ''[[The Aviator (2004 film)|The Aviator]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/goldenglobes/2004-12-13-nominee-list_x.htm|title= 2004 Golden Globe Awards|website= [[USA Today]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> That year Neeson hosted an episode of the [[NBC]] sketch show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. He starred as a [[Redneck (stereotype)|redneck]] trucker, Marlon Weaver, in an "[[Appalachian Emergency Room]]" sketch and as a hippie in a one-off sketch about two [[wikt:stoner|stoners]] (the other played by [[Amy Poehler]]) who attempt to borrow a police dog to find their lost stash of marijuana. Despite vowing not to play any Irish [[wikt:stereotype|stereotypes]], Neeson did play an Irish man named Lorcan McArdle in the home makeover show parody "You Call This A House, Do Ya?"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/04/04ehouse.phtml |title=Liam Neeson: 13 November 2004: You Call This A House, Do Ya? |website=SNL Transcripts |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-date=16 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716043925/http://snltranscripts.jt.org/04/04ehouse.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Neesonandfiennes.jpg|thumb|right|Neeson (left) and [[Ralph Fiennes]] at a [[U2]] concert in [[Madison Square Garden]], October 2005]]

In 2005, Neeson took multiple roles in mainstream blockbuster films. He portrayed [[Barisan of Ibelin|Godfrey of Ibelin]] in [[Ridley Scott]]'s epic adventure ''[[Kingdom of Heaven (film)|Kingdom of Heaven]]'', [[Ra's al Ghul]], one of the main villains in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s action film ''[[Batman Begins]]'';<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_begins|title= Batman Begins|website= Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> and Father Bernard in [[Neil Jordan]]'s [[Breakfast on Pluto (film)|adaptation]] of [[Patrick McCabe (novelist)|Patrick McCabe]]'s novel ''[[Breakfast on Pluto]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1153341-breakfast_on_pluto|title= Rotten Tomatoes|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> That same year he replaced [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]] playing [[Aslan|Aslan the Lion]] in the fantasy adventure film ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' (2005), an adaptation of the [[C. S. Lewis]] [[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe|book of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://movieweb.com/liam-neeson-to-voice-aslan-the-lion-in-the-chronicles-of-narnia/|title= Liam Neeson to Voice Aslan the Lion in The Chronicles of Narnia|website= MovieWeb|date= 18 July 2005|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Liam Neeson Will Voice Aslan |website=NarniaWeb |date=15 July 2005 |url=http://www.narniaweb.com/news.asp?id=326&dl=3483310 |access-date=13 January 2007 |archive-date=23 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823025418/http://www.narniaweb.com/news.asp?id=326&dl=3483310 |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star]]" (2005), he voiced the kindly priest who (briefly) converts [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] to Catholicism.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,735559,00.html |title=What's coming up on "The Simpsons" |first=Brian |last=Hiatt |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=18 April 2007 |date=5 November 2004 |archive-date=8 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608234120/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,735559,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2007, he starred in the [[American Civil War]] epic ''[[Seraphim Falls]]''. Neeson voiced the main character's father, James, in the video game ''[[Fallout 3]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title='Fallout 3' recruits Neeson |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fallout-3-recruits-neeson-135737 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=8 May 2007 |last=Gaudiosi |first=John |date=8 May 2007 |archive-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025195843/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fallout-3-recruits-neeson-135737 |url-status=live }}</ref> Executive producer [[Todd Howard (video game designer)|Todd Howard]] said, "This role was written with Liam in mind, and provides the dramatic tone for the entire game".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a46344/liam-neeson-to-lead-fallout-3.html |title=Liam Neeson to lead 'Fallout 3' |website=Digital Spy |access-date=9 May 2007 |last=Gibbon |first=David |date=9 May 2007 |archive-date=17 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517183939/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a46344/liam-neeson-to-lead-fallout-3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Fallout 3'', the third game in the [[Fallout series]], was extremely well received by critics and shipped 4.7&nbsp;million copies by the end of 2008, the year it was released.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jimmy |last=Thang |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/941/941189p1.html |title=Fallout 3 Expanding to More Markets |website=IGN |access-date=2 June 2012 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119202853/http://pc.ign.com/articles/941/941189p1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the director's commentary of the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' DVD, [[Michael Bay]] said he had told the animators to seek inspiration from Neeson in creating [[Optimus Prime (other incarnations)#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]]'s [[body language]]. Neeson appeared as Alistair Little in the [[BBC Northern Ireland]]/Big Fish Films television drama ''[[Five Minutes of Heaven]]'', which tells the true story of a young Protestant man convicted of murdering a Catholic boy during [[The Troubles]].<ref name="5mins">{{Cite news |first=Leigh |last=Holmwood |title=Nesbitt and Neeson set for Ulster drama |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/may/08/bbc.television |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020120637/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/may/08/bbc.television |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2008–present: Action stardom ===
[[File:Liam Neeson Deauville 2012.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Neeson at the Deauville American Film Festival in 2012.]]
In 2008, Neeson starred in the action film ''[[Taken (film)|Taken]]'', a French-produced film also starring [[Famke Janssen]] and [[Maggie Grace]], based on a script by [[Luc Besson]] and [[Robert Mark Kamen]] and directed by [[Pierre Morel]]. Neeson plays a retired [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative from the elite [[Special Activities Division]] who sets about tracking down his teenage daughter after she is kidnapped. ''Taken'' was a worldwide box-office hit, grossing $223.9&nbsp;million worldwide, making almost $200&nbsp;million more than its production budget. Neeson has said in interviews that he believed that ''Taken'' had put some people off the idea of actually travelling to Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/liam-neeson-interview-taken-2-graham-norton-show |first=Eleanore |last=Hutch |website=Evoke.ie |title=Kidnap epic Taken has put people off travelling to Europe, says Liam Neeson |date=30 December 2014 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107064206/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/liam-neeson-interview-taken-2-graham-norton-show/ |archive-date=7 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Taken'' brought Neeson back into the centre of the public eye and resulted in his being cast in many more big-budget Hollywood movies. That year he also narrated the documentary ''Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity'' and again lent his voice to Aslan in ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian]]'' (2008).<ref name="Gresham exclusive to fans">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Paul |title=Exclusive Prince Caspian Updates with Douglas Gresham |website=NarniaFans |date=4 December 2006 |url=http://www.narniafans.com/?id=1013 |access-date=5 December 2006 |archive-date=15 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215071016/http://www.narniafans.com/?id=1013 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also provided a voice for [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s anime film ''[[Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea]]'', which received an August 2009 release.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/27/hayaomiyazaki |title=English-language cast announced for Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=30 November 2008 |date=27 November 2008 |first=Ben |last=Child |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930144632/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/27/hayaomiyazaki |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, Neeson played [[Zeus]] in [[Clash of the Titans (2010 film)|the remake]] of the 1981 film, ''[[Clash of the Titans (1981 film)|Clash of the Titans]]''. The film was a huge box-office hit, grossing $475&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=clashofthetitans10.htm |title=Clash of the Titans (2010) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=18 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618211401/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=clashofthetitans10.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Neeson also starred in [[Atom Egoyan]]'s erotic thriller ''[[Chloe (2009 film)|Chloe]]'', theatrically released by [[Sony Pictures Classics]] on 26 March 2010. ''Chloe'' had enjoyed commercial success and became the Canadian director's biggest money maker ever.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/901059--the-digital-revolution-film |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Geoff |last=Pevere |title=The Digital Revolution: Part 1 |date=7 December 2010 |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-date=29 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229043606/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2010/12/07/the_digital_revolution_part_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later the same year, he played [[John "Hannibal" Smith]] in the [[The A-Team (film)|spin-off movie]] from the television series ''[[The A-Team]]''.<ref name="Chris Hewitt">{{cite magazine |url=https://empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=25013 |title=Neeson And Cooper Are The A-Team |first=Chris |last=Hewitt |magazine=Empire |date=9 June 2009 |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325032009/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=25013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cooper in A-Team film?">{{cite web |title=Cooper in A-Team film? |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/bigscreen/news/874ad1990654eebb77fdb6d8d4e2281a/Cooper+in+A-Team+film.aspx |website=Teletext |access-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909045411/http://www.teletext.co.uk/bigscreen/news/874ad1990654eebb77fdb6d8d4e2281a/Cooper%2Bin%2BA-Team%2Bfilm.aspx |archive-date= 9 September 2009 }}</ref> Neeson voiced Aslan once more in the 2010 sequel ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader]]''. That same year he made a guest-star appearance on the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] series ''[[The Big C (TV series)|The Big C]]'' with [[Laura Linney]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvguide.com/News/Liam-Neeson-Big-C-1020990.aspx |title=Liam Neeson to Appear on The Big C |first=Joyce |last=Eng |date=26 July 2010 |magazine=TV Guide |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220111203/http://www.tvguide.com/news/liam-neeson-big-c-1020990.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Neeson starred in the action-thriller ''[[Unknown (2011 film)|Unknown]]'', a German-British-American co-production of a French book filmed in Berlin in early 2010, and directed by [[Jaume Collet-Serra]].  This film led to a collaboration between Neeson and Collet-Serra (as director and/or producer) on a series of similar action films including ''[[Non-Stop (film)|Non-Stop]]'' (2014), ''[[Run All Night (film)|Run All Night]]'' (2015), ''[[The Commuter (film)|The Commuter]]'' (2018) and ''[[Retribution (2023 film)|Retribution]]'' (2023). Neeson reunited with Steven Spielberg with plans to star as [[Abraham Lincoln]] in the 2012 film ''[[Lincoln (film)|Lincoln]]'', based on the book ''[[Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln|Team of Rivals]]'' by [[Doris Kearns Goodwin]].<ref name="abelincoln-varit">{{Cite magazine |last=Fleming |first=Michael |title=Lincoln logs in at DreamWorks: Spielberg, Neeson eye Abe pic |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=11 January 2005 |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/features/lincoln-logs-in-at-dreamworks-1117916168/ |access-date=24 January 2007 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010045818/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117916168.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In preparation for the role, Neeson visited the District of Columbia and [[Springfield, Illinois]], where Lincoln lived before being elected, and read Lincoln's personal letters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18545 |title=Liam Neeson Talks Lincoln |website=ComingSoon.net |access-date=2 May 2007 |last=Evry |first=Max |date=24 January 2007 |archive-date=30 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630231905/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18545 |url-status=live }}</ref> Neeson eventually declined the role, claiming he was "past his sell date" and had grown too old for the role and was replaced by [[Daniel Day-Lewis]] (who won his third [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for playing Lincoln).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a253207/neeson-quits-spielbergs-lincoln-biopic.html |title=Neeson quits Spielberg's Lincoln biopic |website=[[Digital Spy]] |date=30 July 2010 |access-date=4 October 2012 |archive-date=28 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128113556/http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a253207/neeson-quits-spielbergs-lincoln-biopic.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Festival Deauville 2012 - Jour 8.jpg|thumb|right|Liam Neeson, [[Deauville American Film Festival|Deauville Film Festival]], 2012]]
In 2011, he played himself in BBC2's series ''[[Life's Too Short (TV series)|Life's Too Short]]'' starring [[Ricky Gervais]], [[Stephen Merchant]] and [[Warwick Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lifes-too-short-seres-premiere-liam-neeson-video_n_1288644|title= 'Life's Too Short' Series Premiere: Liam Neeson Tries His Hand At Improv Comedy (VIDEO)|website= HuffPost|date= 20 February 2012|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> In late 2011, Neeson was cast to play the lead character, a journalist, in a new album recording and arena production of ''[[Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds#The New Generation|Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds]]''. He replaced [[Richard Burton]], who had posthumously appeared in the arena production through [[computer generated imagery|CGI animation]]. Neeson did not physically appear on the stage, instead playing the role through the use of 3D [[holography]]. In 2012, Neeson starred in [[Joe Carnahan]]'s ''[[The Grey (film)|The Grey]]''. The film received mostly positive reviews and Neeson's performance received critical acclaim. He also starred in ''[[Taken 2]]'' (2012), a successful sequel to his 2008 blockbuster.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/luc-bessons-europacorp-reports-strong-419600 |title=Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Reports Strong Growth in Third Quarter Results |access-date=26 April 2013 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2 February 2013 |archive-date=6 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506125358/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/luc-bessons-europacorp-reports-strong-419600 |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, he reprised the role of Ra's al Ghul in a cameo appearance in ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' (2012), the final film in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[The Dark Knight Trilogy]]''. Dialogue from his role as Ra's al Ghul in ''Batman Begins'' was featured in the first trailer for the film.

Neeson had a supporting role as the henchman Bad Cop/Good Cop in the animated film ''[[The Lego Movie]]'', which was a critical and commercial success. Neeson later played Bill Marks in the 2014 action film ''Non-Stop''. The film was released on 28 February 2014. He also appeared, uncredited, as God in the [[BBC2]] series ''[[Rev. (TV series)|Rev.]]''. Neeson stars in the 2014 film ''[[A Walk Among the Tombstones (film)|A Walk Among the Tombstones]]'', an adaption of the best-selling [[A Walk Among the Tombstones (novel)|novel of the same name]], in which he plays former cop Matthew Scudder, a detective hired to hunt the killers of a drug dealer's wife. During [[Super Bowl XLIX]], [[Supercell (video game company)|Supercell]] did a ''[[Clash of Clans]]'' commercial with Neeson playing the game as "AngryNeeson52" and vowing revenge on his opponent "BigBuffetBoy85" while waiting for his scone at a bakery.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frankel |first=Todd C. |title=With Kate Upton and Liam Neeson ads, mobile gaming has its Super Bowl moment |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2 February 2015 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/02/02/with-kate-upton-and-liam-neeson-ads-mobile-gaming-has-its-super-bowl-moment/ |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-date=4 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204023206/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/02/02/with-kate-upton-and-liam-neeson-ads-mobile-gaming-has-its-super-bowl-moment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The appearance was a parody of his role in ''Taken''. In 2016, Neeson narrated the [[RTÉ One]] three-part documentary on the [[Easter Rising]], ''1916''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iftn.ie/distribution/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4289076&tpl=archnews&force=1 |title=RTÉ secures multiple international deals for Liam Neeson narrated '1916' documentary |date=10 March 2016 |first=Seán |last=Brosnan |work=Irish Film & Television Network |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415050856/http://iftn.ie/distribution/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4289076&tpl=archnews&force=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the success of the ''Taken'' films, Neeson has become increasingly known as a star of [[action thriller film]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Is Liam Neeson Really Quitting Action Movies? What The Blacklight Actor Has To Say|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/is-liam-neeson-really-quitting-action-movies-what-the-blacklight-actor-has-to-say|work=Cinemablend|date=12 February 2022|access-date=12 February 2022|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213002630/https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/is-liam-neeson-really-quitting-action-movies-what-the-blacklight-actor-has-to-say|url-status=live}}</ref>  Besides ''The A-Team'', ''Unknown'', ''The Grey'', ''Non-Stop'', ''A Walk Among the Tombstones'', ''Run All Night'', ''The Commuter'' and Retribution, other recent action films starring Neeson have included ''[[Cold Pursuit]]'' (2019), ''[[Honest Thief]]'' (2020), ''[[The Marksman (2021 film)|The Marksman]]'' (2021), ''[[The Ice Road]]'' (2021), ''[[Blacklight (film)|Blacklight]]'' (2022), ''[[Memory (2022 film)|Memory]]'' (2022), ''[[In the Land of Saints and Sinners]]'' (2024) and ''[[Absolution (2024 film)|Absolution]]'' (2024).  Neeson has indicated a desire to retire from the action genre though the films have taken his acting career in a new direction.

In 2016, Neeson reunited with director [[Martin Scorsese]] with the drama [[Silence (2016 film)|an adaptation of the novel ''Silence'']] starring alongside [[Andrew Garfield]] and [[Adam Driver]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/01/liam-neeson-silence-movie-martin-scorsese-674801/ |title=Liam Neeson Set To Star in Martin Scorsese's 'Silence' |access-date=31 January 2014 |website=Deadline |date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201004724/http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/liam-neeson-silence-movie-martin-scorsese/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, he did the voice and [[motion capture]] for the Monster in the Spanish film ''[[A Monster Calls (film)|A Monster Calls]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |title=Cannes: Liam Neeson Joins 'A Monster Calls' |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-liam-neeson-joins-a-702270 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=31 October 2016 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203002217/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-liam-neeson-joins-a-702270 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018 he acted in the [[Coen brothers]]' western anthology film ''[[The Ballad of Buster Scruggs]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/movies/2018/11/27/ballad-of-buster-scruggs-endings/|title= The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: 14 things you might have missed|magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> and the [[Steve McQueen (director)|Steve McQueen]] crime thriller ''[[Widows (2018 film)|Widows]]'' acting opposite [[Viola Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/666943653/a-heist-and-a-whole-lot-more-as-viola-davis-delivers-in-widows|title= A Heist, And A Whole Lot More, As Viola Davis Delivers In 'Widows'|website= NPR|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> He portrayed [[Mark Felt]] in ''[[Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House]]'' (2017) directed by [[Peter Landesman]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2017/film/news/liam-neeson-watergate-mark-felt-1202574490/|title= Liam Neeson Says He's 'Unretired' From Action Movies at the 'Mark Felt' Premiere|website= Variety|date= 27 September 2017|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> and [[Philip Marlowe]] in ''[[Marlowe (2022 film)|Marlowe]]'' (2022) directed by [[Neil Jordan]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/marlowe-movie-review-2023|title= Marlowe|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> He acted in the romantic drama ''[[Ordinary Love (film)|Ordinary Love]]'' (2019) with [[Lesley Manville]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ordinary_love|title= Ordinary Love|website= Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> and the biographical drama ''[[Wildcat (2023 film)|Wildcat]]'' starring [[Maya Hawke]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/wildcat-review-maya-hawke-flannery-oconnor-1235710667/|title= 'Wildcat' Review: Maya Hawke Embodies Not Just Flannery O'Connor but the Spirit of Her Characters|website= Variety|date= 2 September 2023|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref> On television he played Chief Constable Byers	 in ''[[Derry Girls]]'' (2022), and portrayed a fictional version of himself in ''[[Atlanta (TV series)|Atlanta]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/12/liam-neeson-makes-surprise-appearance-in-new-series-of-derry-girls|title= Liam Neeson makes surprise cameo in new series of Derry Girls|website= The Guardian|date= 12 April 2022|accessdate= March 21, 2024|last1= Ambrose|first1= Tom}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/donald-glover-liam-neeson-atlanta-racism-backlash-1235573824/|title= Donald Glover Had Jordan Peele Convince Liam Neeson to Poke Fun at 2019 Racism Controversy on 'Atlanta': 'Liam Poured His Heart Out'|website= Variety|date= 4 April 2023|accessdate= March 21, 2024}}</ref>

==Activism==
Neeson opposes what he sees as the unrestricted right to own firearms in the U.S.<ref name="Washington Times 19 May 2015">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/19/nra-us-gun-manufacturing-soars-as-americans-worry-/ |title=U.S. gun manufacturing soars as Americans worry about security |last=Dinan |first=Stephen |newspaper=[[The Washington Times]] |access-date=17 February 2016 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413172915/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/19/nra-us-gun-manufacturing-soars-as-americans-worry-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and has made calls for [[gun control]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pringle |first=Gill |date=12 September 2014 |title=Liam Neeson interview: Hard man actor on Bono, Ralph Fiennes and his fear of guns |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-hard-man-actor-on-bono-ralph-fiennes-and-his-fear-of-guns-9728838.html |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412080454/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-hard-man-actor-on-bono-ralph-fiennes-and-his-fear-of-guns-9728838.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2015, he repeated his views, calling [[Gun politics in the United States|U.S. gun laws]] a "disgrace" in an interview with Emirati newspaper ''[[Gulf News]]'' when replying to a question about the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|''Charlie Hebdo'' shootings]] earlier that month.<ref name="BBC News 21 January 2015"/> In response, U.S. gun manufacturer [[Para USA]], which provided the prop weapons used by Neeson in the ''Taken'' film series, stated: "We will no longer provide firearms for use in films starring Liam Neeson and ask that our friends and partners in Hollywood refrain from associating our brand and products with his projects."<ref name="BBC News 21 January 2015">{{cite web |title=Liam Neeson under fire from Taken 3 gun makers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30912656 |date=21 January 2015 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327140606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30912656 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, Neeson protested against the anti-carriage horse campaign of New York City Mayor [[Bill de Blasio]], who said he would outlaw horse-drawn carriages in [[Central Park]] once he took office. He wrote an opinion page published in ''[[The New York Times]]'' citing the carriage trade as a safe one for employees, horses, and tourists, and noted it was a livelihood for many immigrants.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Liam |last=Neeson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/opinion/carriages-belong-in-central-park.html |title=Carriages Belong in Central Park |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=14 April 2014 |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504023739/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/opinion/carriages-belong-in-central-park.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neeson narrated a video for [[Amnesty International]] in favour of the legalisation of [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|abortion in Ireland]], which some [[Conservatism in the United Kingdom|conservative]] and [[Anti-abortion movements|pro-life]] commentators claimed was "[[Anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/11944226/Amnesty-Internationals-pro-abortion-campaign-is-shamelessly-anti-Catholic.html |title=Amnesty International's pro-abortion campaign is shamelessly anti-Catholic |first=Tim |last=Stanley |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418093715/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/11944226/Amnesty-Internationals-pro-abortion-campaign-is-shamelessly-anti-Catholic.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neeson was opposed to [[Brexit]], stating in 2016 that it would be truly "a shame to sacrifice all the progress that has been made by the peace process regarding border controls".<ref>{{cite web|author1=Agence France-Presse|author-link=Agence France-Presse|author2=Guillaume Lavallée|date=21 June 2016|title=Liam Neeson warns Brexit would damage Ireland|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/137213-liam-neeson-brexit-damage-ireland|publisher=[[Rappler]]|location=London|publication-place=[[Pasig]], Philippines|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806012408/http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/137213-liam-neeson-brexit-damage-ireland|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2017, Neeson compared the U.S. presidency of [[Donald Trump]] to the [[Watergate scandal]] of [[Richard Nixon]]: "Democracy works and no man—and certainly not the president—is above the law. He has to be accountable."<ref>{{cite news |title=Liam Neeson slams Donald Trump at TIFF: 'The President is not above the law' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-donald-trump-president-watergate-mark-felt-white-house-release-date-trailer-a7943806.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=12 September 2017 |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015312/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-donald-trump-president-watergate-mark-felt-white-house-release-date-trailer-a7943806.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
=== Marriage and relationships ===
Neeson lived with actress [[Helen Mirren]] during the early 1980s. They met while working on ''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]'' (1981). Interviewed by [[James Lipton]] for ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'', Neeson said Mirren was instrumental in him getting an agent. 
He dated [[Barbra Streisand]] for about nine months between 1991 and 1992.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thelist.com/484221/the-truth-about-barbra-streisand-and-liam-neesons-relationship|title=The Truth About Barbra Streisand And Liam Neeson's Relationship|work=The List|date=2021-08-10|first=Hope|last=Campbell|access-date=28 August 2023|archive-date=28 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828094021/https://www.thelist.com/484221/the-truth-about-barbra-streisand-and-liam-neesons-relationship/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Neeson then met actress [[Natasha Richardson]] while performing in a revival of the play ''[[Anna Christie]]'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/natasha-richardson-liam-neeson-magical-marriage-takes-tragic-turn-article-1.368101 |title=Magical marriage takes a tragic turn |first=Patrick |last=Huguenin |newspaper=Daily News |place=New York|date=17 March 2009 |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411215140/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/natasha-richardson-liam-neeson-magical-marriage-takes-tragic-turn-article-1.368101 |url-status=live }}</ref> They were married on 3 July 1994<ref name="filmref">{{cite web |url=http://www.filmreference.com/Actors-and-Actresses-Mo-No/Neeson-Liam.html |website=Film Reference |title=Neeson, Liam |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801055939/http://www.filmreference.com/Actors-and-Actresses-Mo-No/Neeson-Liam.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and had two sons together, [[Micheál Richardson|Micheál]] (b. 1995) and Daniel (b. 1996).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Passages |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20101048,00.html |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first=Allison |last=Lynn |date=10 July 1995 |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132622/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20101048,00.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20142193,00.html |title=Passages |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first=Jeremy |last=Helligar |date=9 September 1996 |access-date=16 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627164335/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20142193,00.html |archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> In October 1998, they won £50,000 ($85,370) in libel damages after the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' wrongly claimed that their marriage was suffering. They donated the money to victims of the August 1998 [[Omagh bombing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/185144.stm |title=Film stars give libel win to Omagh |website=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=9 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030409165834/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/185144.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2004, they purchased an estate in [[Millbrook, New York]].<ref name="IndependentSept2014">{{cite news|last1=Pringle|first1=Gill|title=Liam Neeson interview: Hard man actor on Bono, Ralph Fiennes and his fear of guns|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-hard-man-actor-on-bono-ralph-fiennes-and-his-fear-of-guns-9728838.html|access-date=14 January 2018|work=[[The Independent]]|date=12 September 2014|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412080454/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-hard-man-actor-on-bono-ralph-fiennes-and-his-fear-of-guns-9728838.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NeesonHome">{{cite web |last=Blaney |first=Retta |title=Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson house profile |website=Celebrity Detective |url=http://www.celebritydetective.com/Celebrity_Homes_Natasha-Richardson-Liam-Neeson-New-York.html |access-date=10 July 2009 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305062202/http://www.celebritydetective.com/Celebrity_Homes_Natasha-Richardson-Liam-Neeson-New-York.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.esquire.com/features/liam-neeson-0311 |first=Tom |last=Chiatella |magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |pages=106–13 |title=The hard luck and beautiful life of Liam Neeson |date=15 February 2011 |access-date=15 April 2011 |archive-date=22 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222011329/http://www.esquire.com/features/liam-neeson-0311 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 March 2009, Richardson died when she suffered a [[traumatic brain injury]] in a skiing accident at the [[Mont Tremblant Resort]], northwest of [[Montreal]]. Neeson donated her organs following her death.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/liam-neeson-reveals-how-his-late-wife-natasha-richardsons-organs-have-kept-three-people-alive |website=evoke.ie |title=Liam Neeson has spoken openly about donating his late wife Natasha Richardson's organs following her death in a skiing accident five years ago. |date=21 February 2014 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326002729/http://evoke.ie/showbiz/liam-neeson-reveals-how-his-late-wife-natasha-richardsons-organs-have-kept-three-people-alive |archive-date=26 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Citizenship ===
Neeson holds Irish<ref name="alt ulsters">{{cite book | last1 = Carruthers | first1 = Mark | title = Alternative Ulsters: Conversations on Identity | location = Dublin | publisher = [[Liberties Press]] | date = April 2014 | isbn = 978-1909718494 }}</ref> and American citizenship, having been [[Naturalization|naturalised]] as an American citizen in 2009.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{Cite web |title=Actor Neeson becomes US citizen |website=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8223680.stm |date=26 August 2009 |access-date=5 January 2010 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510191042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8223680.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He primarily identifies as Irish.<ref name="Wired">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/r5OKskTIEU8 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180110004152/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5OKskTIEU8 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=Is Liam Neeson British? I am Irish |website=Youtube/Wired |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5OKskTIEU8 |date=9 January 2018|access-date=16 July 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Independent">{{Cite web |title=I am very proud to be Irish |website=independent.ie |url=https://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/irish-news/i-am-very-proud-to-be-irish-liam-neeson-honoured-for-contribution-to-ireland-and-humanity-36482237.html |date=12 January 2018 |access-date=16 July 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119031245/https://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/irish-news/i-am-very-proud-to-be-irish-liam-neeson-honoured-for-contribution-to-ireland-and-humanity-36482237.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After taking up American citizenship, he was adamant he was not turning his back on his Irish roots.<ref name="Independent2">{{Cite web|title=I'm still a proud Irishman|website=independent.ie|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/around-town/liam-neeson-takes-up-us-citizenship-but-actor-insists-im-still-a-proud-irishman-27922715.html|date=27 August 2009|access-date=16 July 2021|archive-date=15 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115203723/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/around-town/liam-neeson-takes-up-us-citizenship-but-actor-insists-im-still-a-proud-irishman-27922715.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, nearly four decades after he was an undergraduate in physics and computer science at [[Queen's University, Belfast]], the university awarded him an honorary doctorate which was presented to him in New York by Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8037845.stm|title=Liam Neeson graduates 40 years on|date=7 May 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2012|archive-date=11 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511121231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8037845.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2011, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for [[UNICEF]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_58133.html |title=Liam Neeson becomes UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador |first=Chris |last=Niles |website=UNICEF |date=29 March 2011 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063943/http://www.unicef.org/people/people_58133.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is a patron of [[Belfast]]-based charity and film festival [[CineMagic (film festival)|CineMagic]], which helps young people get involved in the movie industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemagic.org.uk/about-us/festival-patrons |title=Festival Patrons |website=CineMagic |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165154/http://www.cinemagic.org.uk/about-us/festival-patrons |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A heavy smoker earlier in his career, Neeson quit smoking in 2003 while working on ''[[Love Actually]]''. When he took the role of [[John "Hannibal" Smith|Hannibal]] for the [[The A-Team (film)|2010 film adaptation of ''The A-Team'']], he had reservations about smoking cigars (a signature trait of the character), but agreed to do it for the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ptcchallenge.com/article-viewer.aspx?id=257 |title=The A Team |website=PTC Challenge |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=1 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316211124/http://www.ptcchallenge.com/article-viewer.aspx?id=257 |archive-date=16 March 2012 }}</ref>

In June 2012, Neeson's publicist denied reports that Neeson was converting to [[Islam]]. Neeson has expressed an affection for the ''[[adhan]]'', the Islamic call to prayer, that he grew accustomed to while filming ''[[Taken 2]]'' in [[Istanbul]]: "By the third week, it was like I couldn't live without it. It really became hypnotic and very moving for me in a very special way. Very beautiful."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ukscreen.com/articles/interviews/is-liam-neeson-converting-to-islam |title=Is Liam Neeson converting to Islam? |website=UK Screen |date=1 October 2012 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424172413/http://ukscreen.com/articles/interviews/is-liam-neeson-converting-to-islam/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also expressed admiration for the ''[[Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola|Spiritual Exercises]]'' of [[Ignatius of Loyola|Saint Ignatius of Loyola]].<ref name="Neesonreligion">{{cite web |last=Blaney |first=Retta |title=Acting Is a Form of Prayer |website=BeliefNet |url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/133/story_13350_1.html |access-date=16 July 2007 |archive-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529015954/http://www.beliefnet.com/story/133/story_13350_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neeson's mother, Kitty, died in June 2020. He was unable to return to his hometown for her funeral due to [[Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic|travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/funeral-of-liam-neesons-mother-kitty-held-in-ballymena-39271444.html|title=Funeral of Liam Neeson's mother Kitty held in Ballymena|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk|access-date=5 September 2020|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824144800/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/funeral-of-liam-neesons-mother-kitty-held-in-ballymena-39271444.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Social views===
Neeson is a long-term supporter of the need for more [[integrated education in Northern Ireland]]; that is, educating Catholics and Protestants together. In 2017 he said,  "As Northern Ireland moves forward from division, who do we look to for a future we can share? Our children - so why do we continue to educate them apart? Different religions, different backgrounds, different schools. There is another way. Protestants and Catholics, other beliefs and none, learning and working together every day."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor Liam Neeson calls for Catholic and Protestant school integration in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/6707/actor-liam-neeson-calls-for-catholic-and-protestant-school-integration-in-northern-ireland |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Tablet |language=en |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115090317/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/6707/actor-liam-neeson-calls-for-catholic-and-protestant-school-integration-in-northern-ireland |url-status=live }}</ref> He has praised schools where parents have voted to transform segregated schools into integrated schools, and fronted television adverts to encourage more parents to integrate their children's schools.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-30 |title=Liam Neeson 'proud' of new integrated school Seaview Primary |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56577857 |access-date=2023-11-15 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115090321/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56577857 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-24 |title=Watch: Liam Neeson fronts new integrated education advert |language=en-GB |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/watch-liam-neeson-fronts-new-integrated-education-advert/a1640530065.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115090320/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/watch-liam-neeson-fronts-new-integrated-education-advert/a1640530065.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neeson was criticised for his comments on Ireland's ''[[The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)|Late Late Show]]'' in January 2018, during which he described the [[Me Too movement]] as a "witch hunt"<ref>{{cite web|title=Liam Neeson on sexual harassment in Hollywood|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGriKA7i8Oc|work=[[YouTube]]|date=12 January 2018|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=28 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728232601/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGriKA7i8Oc|url-status=live}}</ref> and cited [[Garrison Keillor]]'s dismissal from [[Minnesota Public Radio]] as an example.<ref>{{cite news|last=Midkiff|first=Sarah|title=Liam Neeson Called The Me Too Movement A "Witch Hunt"|url=https://www.refinery29.com/2018/01/187805/liam-neeson-me-too-movement-witch-hunt-reactions|work=[[Refinery29]]|date=14 January 2018|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201510/https://www.refinery29.com/2018/01/187805/liam-neeson-me-too-movement-witch-hunt-reactions|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, Neeson gained public and media controversy after a [[press junket]] interview he conducted with ''[[The Independent]]'' while promoting ''[[Cold Pursuit]]'', a film about a father seeking revenge for his son's murder.<ref>{{cite news |title= Liam Neeson sparks race row over rape comments |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47117177 |work= [[BBC News]] |access-date= 5 February 2019 |archive-date= 4 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190204192321/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47117177 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Rodrigo |first= Chris |title= Liam Neeson faces accusations of racism after rape comments |url= https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/428400-liam-neeson-faces-accusations-of-racism-after-rape-comments |work= [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date= 4 February 2019 |access-date= 5 February 2019 |archive-date= 7 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015239/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/428400-liam-neeson-faces-accusations-of-racism-after-rape-comments |url-status= live }}</ref> He said that he generated his character's "primal" anger by recounting an experience he had 40 years ago, in which a female friend of his had been raped by a stranger. After learning the attacker was a [[Black people|black man]], Neeson said that he spent a week going "up and down areas with a [[Club (weapon)|cosh]], hoping some 'black bastard' would come out of a pub and have a go" so that he "could kill him". In the interview, he also said he was ashamed of the experience and that the things he did and said were "horrible". He said, "It's awful [...] but I did learn a lesson from it, when I eventually thought, 'What the fuck are you doing?'"<ref>{{cite news |last= Michallon |first= Clémence |date= 4 February 2019 |title= Liam Neeson: 'I walked the streets with a cosh, hoping I'd be approached by a "black bastard" so that I could kill him' |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-rape-black-man-attack-cosh-cold-pursuit-sexual-assault-interview-a8760866.html |work= [[The Independent]] |access-date= 4 February 2019 |archive-date= 4 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190204144622/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-rape-black-man-attack-cosh-cold-pursuit-sexual-assault-interview-a8760866.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Michallon |first= Clémence |title= Liam Neeson interview: Rape, race and how I learnt revenge doesn't work |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-rape-race-black-man-revenge-taken-cold-pursuit-a8760896.html |work= [[The Independent]] |date= 4 February 2019 |access-date= 5 February 2019 |archive-date= 4 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190204210538/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/liam-neeson-interview-rape-race-black-man-revenge-taken-cold-pursuit-a8760896.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

In an appearance on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', Neeson elaborated on his comments while denying being a racist, stating that he asked for physical attributes of the rapist other than his race and that he would have done the same if the rapist was "a Scot or a Brit or a Lithuanian".<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Blistein |first= Jon |title= Liam Neeson Talks Racist Revenge Fantasy on 'Good Morning America' |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/liam-neeson-good-morning-america-interview-790095/ |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= 5 February 2019 |access-date= 6 February 2019 |archive-date= 6 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190206021002/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/liam-neeson-good-morning-america-interview-790095/ |url-status= live }}</ref> He also said that he had purposely gone into "black areas of the city" but that he "did seek help" and counselling from his friends and a priest after coming to his senses. He said that the lesson of his experience was "to open up [and] to talk about these things", including [[toxic masculinity]] and the underlying "racism and bigotry" in both the U.S. and Northern Ireland. The controversy following his comments led to cancellation of the red carpet event for the premiere of ''Cold Pursuit''.<ref>{{cite web |last= Sherpard |first= Jack |title= Liam Neeson interview: Actor denies being racist after admitting wanting to kill a black man |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-interview-gma-apology-racism-black-man-cosh-attack-good-morning-america-a8763826.html |work= [[The Independent]] |access-date= 6 February 2019 |archive-date= 5 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190205235230/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-interview-gma-apology-racism-black-man-cosh-attack-good-morning-america-a8763826.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Red carpet nixed after Liam Neeson reveals racist thoughts |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/celebrities/red-carpet-nixed-after-liam-neeson-reveals-racist-thoughts/2019/02/05/e48d2428-29af-11e9-906e-9d55b6451eb4_story.html |publisher= [[Associated Press]] |access-date= 6 February 2019 |archive-date= 6 February 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190206112625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/celebrities/red-carpet-nixed-after-liam-neeson-reveals-racist-thoughts/2019/02/05/e48d2428-29af-11e9-906e-9d55b6451eb4_story.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> Neeson was publicly defended by [[Michelle Rodriguez]],<ref name=rodriguezPeople>{{Cite web|last=Pasquini|first=Maria|date=7 February 2019|url=https://people.com/movies/michelle-rodriguez-defends-liam-neeson-shocking-comments-wanting-kill-black-man/|title=Michelle Rodriguez Defends Liam Neeson: 'He's Not a Racist. He's a Loving Man'|website=People|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114015739/https://people.com/movies/michelle-rodriguez-defends-liam-neeson-shocking-comments-wanting-kill-black-man/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Whoopi Goldberg]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/06/whoopi-goldberg-defends-friend-liam-neeson-insists-not-bigot/|title=Whoopi Goldberg insists friend Liam Neeson is 'not a bigot'|first=Helena|last=Horton|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 February 2019|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=7 March 2019|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308081016/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/06/whoopi-goldberg-defends-friend-liam-neeson-insists-not-bigot/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John Barnes]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peplow |first=Gemma |date=February 12, 2019 |title=John Barnes: Liam Neeson deserves a medal for race admission |url=https://news.sky.com/story/john-barnes-liam-neeson-deserves-a-medal-for-race-admission-11628709 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413235528/https://news.sky.com/story/john-barnes-liam-neeson-deserves-a-medal-for-race-admission-11628709 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Trevor Noah]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-09 |title=Trevor Noah says Liam Neeson deserves credit for 'powerful admission' on racism |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/trevor-noah-liam-neeson-racism-daily-show-cold-pursuit-a8771016.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> and [[Ralph Fiennes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/ralph-fiennes-defends-liam-neeson-164957|title='Certainly not a racist' – Ralph Fiennes comes to the defence of Liam Neeson|first=Jack|last=Beresford|website=The Irish Post|date=4 March 2019|access-date=7 March 2019|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308081440/https://www.irishpost.com/news/ralph-fiennes-defends-liam-neeson-164957|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Donald Glover]] later convinced him to appear in his [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] series [[Atlanta (TV series)|''Atlanta'']] episode "[[New Jazz (Atlanta)|New Jazz]]" as a fictionalised version of himself, to examine the controversy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/liam-neeson-atlanta-racism-backlash-1235260511/|title=Liam Neeson Joined 'Atlanta' to Poke Fun at His 2019 Racism Controversy and Say He's Sorry|last=Sharf|first=Zack|access-date=May 6, 2022|date=May 6, 2022|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508004016/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/liam-neeson-atlanta-racism-backlash-1235260511/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Credits and accolades ==
{{Main|Liam Neeson filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Liam Neeson}}
In 2000, Neeson was offered the "[[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Town]] of Ballymena" by the [[Ballymena (borough)|Ballymena]] Borough Council, but because of objections made by members of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] regarding his comments that he had felt like a "second-class citizen" growing up as a Catholic in the town, he declined the award, citing tensions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neeson refuses hometown honour |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/685970.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=20 January 2012 |date=21 March 2000 |archive-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026084507/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/685970.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the controversy, Neeson wrote a letter to the council, stating; "I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity. Indeed, I regard the enduring support over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor."<ref name="Neeson award">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21230305 |title=Liam Neeson arrives in Ballymena to receive award |website=[[BBC News]] |date=28 January 2013 |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=14 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614025821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21230305 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, on 28 January 2013, Neeson received the Freedom of the Borough from Ballymena Borough Council at a ceremony in the town.<ref name="Neeson award"/>

Neeson was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in her [[2000 New Year Honours]].<ref name="Wilson 4"/> [[The American Ireland Fund]] honoured Neeson with their Performing Arts Award for the great distinction he has brought to Ireland at their 2008 Dinner Gala in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/news/788-liam-neeson-honored-by-american-ireland-fund |title=Liam Neeson Honored by American Ireland Fund |first=Delinda |last=Lombardo |website=Look to the Stars |date=13 May 2008 |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003802/https://www.looktothestars.org/news/788-liam-neeson-honored-by-american-ireland-fund |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, at a ceremony in [[Manhattan|New York]], Neeson was awarded an honorary doctorate by [[Queen's University, Belfast]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Liam Neeson graduates 40 years on |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8037845.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=1 November 2012 |date=7 May 2009 |archive-date=11 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511121231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8037845.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 April 2016, he was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award by the [[Irish Film and Television Academy]] (IFTA) at the [[Mansion House, Dublin]], with Irish President [[Michael D. Higgins]] presenting the award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ifta.ie/awards/news/outstanding2016.html |title=Liam Neeson to be honoured in Dublin at the 2016 Ifta Awards on April 9th |website=The Irish Film & Television Academy |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510191108/https://ifta.ie/awards/news/outstanding2016.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Neeson was listed by UK-based company Richtopia at number 74 in the list of 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/top-200-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs |title=Philanthropists & Social Entrepreneurs Top 200: From Elon Musk to Melinda Gates, These Are the Most Influential Do-Gooders in the World |website=Richtopia |access-date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083458/https://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/top-200-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs |archive-date=30 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/31/elumelu-ranked-among-top-200-global-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs/ |title=Top 200 Global Philanthropists, Social Entrepreneurs |website=ThisDayLive |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401060441/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/31/elumelu-ranked-among-top-200-global-philanthropists-social-entrepreneurs/ |archive-date=1 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2018, he was awarded the Distinguished Service for the Irish Abroad Award by Irish President [[Michael D. Higgins]], who described it as an award "for Irish people abroad who are making a contribution to humanity".<ref>{{cite news |title=President honours 'splendid Irish man abroad' Liam Neeson |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/president-honours-splendid-irish-man-abroad-liam-neeson-1.3353260 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=12 January 2018 |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228205033/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/president-honours-splendid-irish-man-abroad-liam-neeson-1.3353260 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of British Academy Award nominees and winners]]
*[[List of Irish Academy Award winners and nominees]]
*[[List of actors with Academy Award nominations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|553}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{Screenonline name|490910}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssqek1fjuDs Liam Neeson] on [[GQ]]'s ''Actually Me''

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Liam Neeson|Awards for Liam Neeson]]
|list =
{{AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Distinguished Performance Award}}
{{Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor}}
{{IFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Film}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Volpi Cup for Best Actor}}
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[[Category:Liam Neeson| ]]
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:20th-century male actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:21st-century male actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast]]
[[Category:Audiobook narrators]]
[[Category:Expatriates from Northern Ireland in the United States]]
[[Category:Emigrants from Northern Ireland to the United States]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male film actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Male television actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Male video game actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Male voice actors from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Ballymena]]
[[Category:People from County Antrim]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States]]
[[Category:Redgrave family]]
[[Category:Volpi Cup for Best Actor winners]]
[[Category:2019 controversies in the United States]]