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| {{Use British English|date=April 2013}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2013}} | |||
| {{Infobox person | |||
| | name = Liam Neeson | |||
| | honorific_suffix = ] | |||
| | image = Liam Neeson Deauville 2012 2.jpg | |||
| | caption = Neeson at the 2012 ] | |||
| | birth_name = Liam John Neeson | |||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|06|7}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Monitor|newspaper=]|date=8 June 2012|issue=1209/1210|page=35}}</ref> | |||
| | birth_place = ], ], Northern Ireland | |||
| | spouse = ]<br>(m. 1994–2009; her death) | |||
| | children = 2 | |||
| | relatives = ]<br>(mother-in-law)<br>]<br>(deceased father-in-law)<br>]<br>(sister-in-law) | |||
| | occupation = ] | |||
| | years_active = 1976–present | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Liam John Neeson''', ] (born 7 June 1952)<ref name=swe>{{Cite news|last=Morales|first=Tatiana|title=Liam Neeson on Kinsey|publisher=CBS News|date=15 December 2004|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/15/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main661155.shtml|accessdate=16 October 2010}}</ref> is an actor from ].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Liam Neeson promotes Northern Ireland tourism|publisher=BBC|date=10 March 2014|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26504259|accessdate=29 December 2015}}</ref> In 1976, he joined the ] in ] for two years. He then acted in the ] film, '']'' (1981). Between 1982 and 1987, Neeson starred in five films; most notably alongside ] and ] in '']'' (1984) and ] and ] in '']'' (1986). He landed a leading role alongside ] in ] (1989). | |||
| He rose to prominence when he starred in the title role in ]'s 1993 ] winner '']''. He has since starred in other successful films, including the title role in the historical biopic '']'' (1996), the ] of ]'s ] '']'' (1998), '']'' as ] (1999), the biographical drama '']'' (2004), the superhero film '']'' as ] (2005), the action thriller series '']'' (2008–15), the fantasy adventure film '']'' (2010) as ], the fantasy films in the '']'' series (2005–10), and the thriller-survival film '']'' (2011). | |||
| He has been nominated for a number of awards, including an ], a ] and three ]. '']'' magazine ranked Neeson among both the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" and "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amiannoying.com/%28S%2821trpz55kccy1v454m12y345%29%29/collection.aspx?collection=47|title=Empire Magazine's Top 100 Movie Stars 1997|accessdate=26 March 2011|work=amiannoying.com}}</ref> | |||
| ==Early life== | |||
| Neeson was born in ], ], ], the son of Katherine "Kitty" Neeson (née Brown), a cook, and Bernard "Barney" Neeson, a ] at the Ballymena Boys All Saints Primary School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/liam_neeson_biog.html|title=Liam Neeson Biography|accessdate=18 April 2007}}</ref> He was raised as a Roman Catholic<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Movies/2003/10/Acting-Is-A-Form-Of-Prayer.aspx?p=1|title=Acting Is a Form of Prayer|publisher=]|accessdate=9 May 2010|first=Retta|last=Blaney}}</ref><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|work=]|date=1 April 2010|accessdate=9 May 2010}}: (Commentary;''"Hollywood superstar Liam Neeson has told how he grew up in a religious Catholic background untouched by the Troubles."'')</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/personalities/news/article.cfm?c_id=72&objectid=10528457|title=Always a Wanted man|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=23 August 2008|accessdate=9 September 2010|first=Gaynor|last=Flynn}}</ref> and was named Liam after the local priest.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liam Neeson Puts the Kettle On|work=GQ|last=Mansfield|first=Stephanie|date=December 1993}}</ref> The third of four siblings, he has three sisters: Elizabeth, Bernadette, and Rosaleen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/667/000023598/|title=Liam Neeson|accessdate=18 April 2007}}</ref> At age nine, Neeson began ] lessons at the All Saints Youth Club and later became ]'s amateur senior boxing champion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6175251.stm|title=Star who shone in the boxing ring|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=18 April 2007|date=13 December 2006}}</ref> | |||
| Neeson first stepped on stage at age 11 after his English teacher offered him the lead role in a school play, which he accepted because the girl he was attracted to was starring in it.<ref>{{cite web|title='Man' of the Year|publisher=American Film|last=Frankel|first=Martha|date=December 1990}}</ref> From then on, he kept acting in school productions for the following years.<ref name="photoplay">{{cite web|title=A Man With a Mission|work=Photoplay (UK)|last=Dewson|first=Lisa|date=June 1986}}</ref> | |||
| His interest in acting and decision to become an actor was also influenced by minister ], into whose Free Presbyterian church Neeson would sneak. Neeson has said of Paisley: "He 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 news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7128424.stm|title=Neeson Reveals Paisley Influence|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=5 December 2007|date=5 December 2007}}</ref> In 1971, Neeson was enrolled as a ] and ] student at ], Northern Ireland, before leaving to work for the ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8037845.stm|title=Liam Neeson graduates 40 years on|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=9 June 2009|date=7 May 2009}}</ref> At Queen's, he discovered a talent for ] and was spotted by ] at ] There was a club trial in ] and Neeson played one game as a substitute against ], but he 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=9781856356664}}</ref> | |||
| ==Career== | |||
| {{further|Liam Neeson filmography}} | |||
| ===1976–1993=== | |||
| After leaving the university, Neeson returned to Ballymena where he worked in a variety of casual jobs, from a fork-lift operator at Guinness to a ]. He also attended teacher training college for two years in ], England, before again returning to his hometown. In 1976, Neeson joined the ] in Belfast where he performed for two years. He got his first film experience in 1977, playing Jesus Christ and Evangelist in the religious film '']''. Neeson moved to ] in 1978 after he was offered a part in Ron Hutchinson's ''Says I, Says He'', a drama about ], at the ]. He acted in several other Project productions and joined the ] (the National Theatre of Ireland).{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} | |||
| In 1980, filmmaker ] saw him on stage as Lennie Small in '']'' and offered him the role of ] in the ] film, '']''. After ''Excalibur'', Neeson moved to London, where he continued working on stage, in small budget films and in television. He lived with the actress ] at this time, whom he met working on ''Excalibur''.<ref name="elle">{{cite web|title=Neeson Easy: Tall, Dark and Phantom|work=Elle (UK)|last=McHugh|first=Fionnuala|date=September 1988}}</ref> Between 1982 and 1987, Neeson starred in five films; most notably alongside ] and ] in 1984's '']'' and ] and ] in 1986's '']''. Neeson guest-starred in the third season of the television series '']'' in 1986 and moved to ] to star in more high-profile roles in the next year.<ref name="elle"/> That year, he starred alongside ] and ] in '']'' in a role that brought him critical acclaim. In 1988 he starred alongside Clint Eastwood in the fifth Dirty Harry film "The Dead Pool"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094963/ |title=The Dead Pool (1988) |date=13 July 1988 |work=IMDb |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> in the role of Peter Swan, a horror film director. In 1990, he followed this with a starring role in ]'s '']''. Although the film was successful, Neeson's subsequent years would not bring him the same recognition. In 1993, he joined ''Ellis Island'' co-star and future wife ] in the Broadway play '']''. They also worked together in '']'', released the following year.<ref name="imdb"/> | |||
| ===1993–2000=== | |||
| Director ] offered Neeson the role of ] in the film about ], '']'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Liam Neeson|work=Newsday|last=de Vries|first=Hilary|date=3 July 1993}}</ref> after seeing him in '']'' on Broadway. Even with ], ] and ] all expressing interest in portraying Schindler,<ref name=inside>{{cite news|first=Susan |last=Royal|title=An Interview with Steven Spielberg|work=Inside Film Magazine Online|url=http://www.insidefilm.com/spielberg.html|accessdate=29 October 2008}}</ref><ref name=makinghistory>{{cite news|title=Making History|work=]|date=21 January 1994|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300806,00.html|accessdate=8 August 2007|first=Anne|last=Thompson}}</ref> (the last auditioning),<ref name="inside"/> Neeson was cast in December 1992 after formally auditioning for the role.<ref name=makinghistory/> Neeson 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 ]. They don't quite take him seriously, and he used that to full effect."<ref>{{cite news|title=Oskar Winner|work=]|date=21 January 1994|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300807_2,00.html|accessdate=8 August 2007}}</ref> His critically acclaimed performance earned him a nomination for a ] Oscar, and helped the film earn ] of 1993. However, the best actor award went to ] for his performance in '']''. Neeson also garnered ] and ] nominations for his work as ]. Soon after these accolades, Neeson became an in-demand leading actor. He starred in the subsequent ]s '']'' (1995) and '']'' (1996), the latter earning him a win for Best Starring Role at the ] and another Golden Globe nomination. He went on to star as ] in the 1998 adaptation of ]'s '']'' and in '']'' (1999) as Dr. David Marrow.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|553}}</ref> | |||
| In 1999, Neeson starred as ] ] in '']''. Director ] cast Neeson in the role because he considered the actor to have great skills and presence, describing him as 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 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archivedate=23 October 2004 |url=http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |title=Star Wars Episode I: Production Notes |date=1 May 1999 |work=LucasFilm |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> As the first '']'' film to be released in sixteen years, it was surrounded by a large amount of media anticipation. Neeson's connection to ''Star Wars'' started in the ], ]. Neeson stated to ], "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)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=]|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|accessdate=14 February 2012}}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' was an enormous box-office success and remained the most financially successful ''Star Wars'' film unadjusted for inflation, until '']'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world|title=All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses|publisher=Box Office Mojo|accessdate=12 March 2009}}</ref> Neeson's performance as Qui-Gon received several positive reviews,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,64044,00.html|title=Movie Review: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)|work=Entertainment Weekly|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=21 May 1999|accessdate=29 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=7324|title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace|last=Kennedy|first=Colin|work=Empire|accessdate=15 September 2011}}</ref> and a ] nomination.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000004/2000 |title=Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Awards for 2000 |work=IMDb |year=2016 |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> A stock recording of Neeson's voice from ''The Phantom Menace'' can be heard during a scene in '']'' (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 |work=Tor.com |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> Neeson was later reported to be making an appearance in '']'' (2005) portraying Qui-Gon again,<ref name="USA Today">{{cite web|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|work=USA Today|date=10 January 2005|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> but ultimately did not. In the animated television series '']'' (2008–14), Neeson reprised the role of Qui-Gon once again by voicing the character in two episodes of the third season and one episode of the sixth season.<ref name="tor"/> | |||
| ===2001–2007=== | |||
| 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270444/plotsummary|title=Plot Summary for ''Journey into Amazing Caves''}}</ref> and ''The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Adventure''. The latter won awards at a number of film festivals including Best Documentary from both the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264578/awards|title=Awards for ''The Endurance''|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> After being nominated for a ] for his role opposite ] in '']'', Neeson appeared with ] in ]'s 2002 submarine thriller '']'' as Captain Mikhail Polenin. He was also on the cast of ]'s '']'' with ], ], ] and ], and played a recently widowed writer in ]' ensemble comedy '']'' (2003).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/11/13/liam_neeson_love_actually_interview.shtml|title=BBC-Films-Interviews|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 April 2007|last=Lee|first=Alana}}</ref> His role as ] in '']'' again put the actor up for nomination for a ] but he lost to Leonardo DiCaprio for '']''. | |||
| ] at the Madison Square Garden ] concert, 1 October 2005]] | |||
| In 2004, Neeson hosted an episode of the ] sketch show '']''. He starred as a ] trucker, Marlon Weaver, in an "]" sketch and a hippie in a one-off sketch about two ] (the other played by ]) who attempt to borrow a police dog to find their lost stash of marijuana. Despite vowing not to play any Irish ], Neeson did play a stereotypically 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=SNL Transcripts: Liam Neeson: 13 November 2004: You Call This A House, Do Ya?|publisher=Snltranscripts.jt.org|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> | |||
| In 2005, Neeson played ] in ]'s epic adventure '']'', ], one of the main villains in '']'', and Father Bernard in ]'s ] of ]'s novel, '']''. In '']'' episode "]" (2005), he voiced the kindly priest who (briefly) converts ] and ] to Catholicism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,735559,00.html|title=Springfield Fever|work=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=18 April 2007|date=5 October 2004}}</ref> That same year, he gave his voice to the lion ] in the blockbuster fantasy film '']''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Liam Neeson Will Voice Aslan|publisher=NarniaWeb|date=15 July 2005|url=http://www.narniaweb.com/news.asp?id=326&dl=3483310|accessdate=13 January 2007}}</ref> In 2007, he starred in the ] epic '']''. | |||
| He also voiced the main character's father, James in the video game, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title='Fallout 3' recruits Neeson|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i05fda239f1c08fddb1c1bce640859c1b|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=8 May 2007|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|date=8 May 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510040429/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i05fda239f1c08fddb1c1bce640859c1b|archivedate=10 May 2007}}</ref> Executive producer ] 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'|work=DigitalSpy|accessdate=9 May 2007|last=Gibbon|first=David|date=9 May 2007}}</ref> ''Fallout 3'', the third game in the ], was extremely well received by critics and shipped 4.7 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 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> | |||
| In the director's commentary of the 2007 '']'' DVD, ] said that he had told the animators to seek inspiration from Neeson in creating ]'s ]. Neeson appeared as Alistair Little in the ]/Big Fish Films television drama '']'', which tells the true story of a young Protestant man convicted of murdering a Catholic boy during ].<ref name="5mins">{{Cite news|first=Leigh|last=Holmwood|title=Nesbitt and Neeson set for Ulster drama|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/08/bbc.television|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=8 May 2008|accessdate=8 May 2008}}</ref> | |||
| ===2008–present=== | |||
| ]'', on 7 September 2008.]] | |||
| ] | |||
| He starred in the action film '']'' in 2008, a French-produced film also starring ] and ]. Based on a script by ] and ] and directed by ], the film stars Neeson as a retired ] operative from their elite ] who sets about tracking down his teenage daughter after she is kidnapped. ''Taken'' was a worldwide box office hit, grossing $223.9 million worldwide, making almost $200 million more than its production budget. Neeson has stated in interviews that he believed that ''Taken'' had put some people off the idea of actually travelling to Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/liam-neeson-interview-taken-2-graham-norton-show|work=evoke.ie|title= Kidnap epic Taken has put people off travelling to Europe, says Liam Neeson|date=30 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ''Taken'' brought Neeson back into the center 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 '']'' (2008).<ref name="Gresham exclusive to fans">{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Paul|title=Exclusive Prince Caspian Updates with Douglas Gresham|publisher=NarniaFans|date=4 December 2006 |url=http://www.narniafans.com/?id=1013|accessdate=5 December 2006}}</ref> He also provided a voice for ]'s anime film '']'', which received an August 2009 release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/nov/27/hayaomiyazaki |title=English-language cast announced for Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff|work=The Guardian|location=London|accessdate=30 November 2008|date=27 November 2008|first=Ben|last=Child}}</ref> | |||
| In 2010, Neeson played ] in the ] of the 1981 film, '']''. The film went on becoming a huge box office hit, grossing $475 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=clashofthetitans10.htm|title=Clash of the Titans (2010) (2010)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|accessdate=21 June 2010}}</ref> Neeson also starred in ]'s erotic thriller '']'', theatrically released by ] on 26 March 2010. ''Chloe'' had enjoyed commercial success and became the Canadian director's biggest money maker ever.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/901059--the-digital-revolution-film|location=Toronto|work=The Star|first=Geoff|last=Pevere|title=The Digital Revolution: Part 1|date=7 December 2010}}</ref> Later the same year, he played ] in the ] from the television series '']''.<ref name="Chris Hewitt">{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=25013|title=Neeson And Cooper Are The A-Team|first=Chris |last=Hewitt|work=Empire|date=9 June 2009|accessdate=9 June 2009}}</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 |accessdate=11 June 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090909045411/http://www.teletext.co.uk:80/bigscreen/news/874ad1990654eebb77fdb6d8d4e2281a/Cooper+in+A-Team+film.aspx |archivedate=9 September 2009 }}</ref> | |||
| In 2010, Neeson voiced the character ] again in the sequel '']''. In 2011, Neeson starred in '']'', a German-British-American co-production of a French book, it was filmed in Berlin in early 2010. It has been compared to ''Taken'', which was set in Paris. | |||
| Neeson reunited with director ] with plans to star as ] in the 2012 film '']'', based on the book '']'' by ].<ref name="abelincoln-varit">{{Cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=Lincoln logs in at DreamWorks: Spielberg, Neeson eye Abe pic|work=Variety|date=11 January 2005|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117916168.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1|accessdate=24 January 2007}}</ref> In preparation for the role, Neeson visited the District of Columbia and ], where Lincoln lived prior to being elected, and read Lincoln's personal letters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18545|title=Liam Neeson Talks Lincoln|publisher=ComingSoon.net|accessdate=2 May 2007|last=Evry |first=Max|date=24 January 2007}}</ref> Neeson eventually declined the role, claiming he was "past his sell date" and had grown too old to play 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|work=]|date= 30 July 2010|accessdate=4 October 2012}}</ref> He was later replaced in the role by ]. | |||
| It was announced in July 2010 that Neeson would guest-star on the new ] series '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Liam-Neeson-Big-C-1020990.aspx|title=Liam Neeson to Appear on The Big C|work=TV Guide}}</ref> In 2011, he played himself, in BBC2's series '']''. In late 2011, Neeson was cast to play the lead character, a journalist, in a new album recording and arena production of '']''. He replaced ], who had posthumously appeared in the arena production through ]. Neeson did not physically appear on the stage, instead playing the role through the use of 3D ]. In 2012, Neeson starred as John Ottway in ]'s '']''. The film received mostly positive reviews and Neeson's performance as Ottway received critical acclaim. He also starred in '']'', a successful sequel to his 2008 blockbuster.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/luc-bessons-europacorp-reports-strong-419600|title=Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Reports Strong Growth in Third Quarter Results |accessdate=26 April 2013|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 February 2013 }}</ref> That year, he once again played Ra's al Ghul in '']'', the third and final film in ]'s '']''. He narrated the first trailer for the film. | |||
| On 31 January 2014, it was reported that Neeson would work with director ] again in an adaptation of the novel '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/liam-neeson-silence-movie-martin-scorsese/|title=Liam Neeson Set To Star In Martin Scorsese's 'Silence'|accessdate=31 January 2014|work=Deadline.com|date=31 January 2014}}</ref> Neeson had a supporting role as the henchman Bad Cop/Good Cop in the animated film '']'', which was a critical and commercial success. He later played Bill Marks in the action film '']''. The film was released on 28 February 2014. He also appeared, uncredited, as God in the ] series '']''. Neeson stars in the 2014 film '']'', an adaption of the best-selling ], in which he plays former cop Matthew Scudder, a detective hired to hunt the killers of a drug dealer's wife.<ref name="imdb"/> | |||
| During ], ] did a '']'' commercial with him 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=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/02/02/with-kate-upton-and-liam-neeson-ads-mobile-gaming-has-its-super-bowl-moment/|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref> The appearance was a parody of his role in ''Taken''. | |||
| In 2016 Neeson narrated the ] three part documentary on the ], ''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 |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==Political views== | |||
| Neeson is a critic of the proliferation of firearms in the US<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= ] | accessdate= 17 February 2016 }}</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= http://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}}</ref> In January 2015, he repeated his views, calling ] a "disgrace" in an interview with Dubai newspaper '']'' when replying to a question about the ]s in Paris earlier that month.<ref name="BBC News 21 January 2015"/> In response, US gun manufacturer ], which provided the weapons used by Neeson in the ''Taken'' film series, expressed regret at working with him, saying: "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 news|title=Liam Neeson under fire from Taken 3 gun makers|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30912656|date=21 January 2015|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=21 January 2015}}</ref> | |||
| In 2014 he protested the anti-carriage horse campaign of New York City Mayor ], who said he would outlaw horse-drawn carriages in ] once he took office. Neeson wrote an opinion page published in '']'' 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=http://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 |subscription=yes}}</ref> | |||
| Neeson narrated a video for ] in favour of the decriminalization of ], which was attacked for being "creepy" and "anti-Catholic."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://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 |work=] |date=21 October 2015 |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/film-star-liam-neeson-attacks-catholic-church-in-creepy-ad-targeting-irelan |first= Steve |last=Weatherbe |date=22 October 2015 |title=Film star Liam Neeson releases creepy anti-Catholic ad targeting Ireland’s pro-life law |work=LifeSiteNews |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| Neeson lived with actress ] during the early 1980s. They had met while working on '']'' (1981). Interviewed by ] for '']'', Neeson said Mirren was instrumental in him getting an agent. | |||
| Neeson met his future wife, actress ], while performing in a revival of the play '']'' on ] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |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 |work=New York Daily News |date=17 March 2009 |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> They married on 3 July 1994.<ref name="filmref">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/Actors-and-Actresses-Mo-No/Neeson-Liam.html|publisher=FilmReference.com|title=Neeson, Liam|accessdate=March 16, 2015|archivedate=August 1, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801055939/http://www.filmreference.com/Actors-and-Actresses-Mo-No/Neeson-Liam.html|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| In August 2004, Neeson and his wife purchased an estate in ].<ref name="NeesonHome">{{cite web|last=Blaney|first=Retta|title=Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson house profile – house pictures, rare facts and info about Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson home in Millbrook, New York|publisher=BeliefNet|url=http://www.celebritydetective.com/Celebrity_Homes_Natasha-Richardson-Liam-Neeson-New-York.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.esquire.com/features/liam-neeson-0311|first=Tom|last=Chiatella|newspaper=Esquire|pages=106–13|title=The hard luck and beautiful life of Liam Neeson |date=March 2011|accessdate=15 April 2011}}</ref> | |||
| On 18 March 2009, Richardson died when she suffered a ] in a ] accident at the ], northwest of ]. 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|work=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}}</ref> | |||
| She and Neeson had two sons together, Micheál Richard Antonio (born 22 June 1995, in Dublin)<ref>{{cite news|title=Passages|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20101048,00.html | work=]|first=Allison|last=Lynn|date=10 July 1995| accessdate= 16 March 2015}}</ref> and Daniel Jack (born 27 August 1996, in New York City).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20142193,00.html|title=Passages|work=]|first=Jeremy|last=Helligar|date=9 September 1996|accessdate= 16 March 2015}}</ref> | |||
| A heavy ] earlier in his career, Neeson ] in 2003, while working on '']''. When he took the role of ] for the ] of '']'', Neeson had reservations about smoking cigars (which is a signature trait of the character) in the film due to being an ex-smoker, but agreed to keep that personality trait of Hannibal intact for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ptcchallenge.com/article-viewer.aspx?id=257|title=The A Team|publisher=PTC Challenge|date=1 June 2010|accessdate=1 January 2012}}</ref> In August 2009, Neeson said that he had been ] as a United States citizen.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{Cite news|title=Actor Neeson becomes US citizen|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8223680.stm|date=26 August 2009|accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref> In March 2011, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for ].<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|publisher=UNICEF|date=29 March 2011|accessdate=30 June 2013}}</ref> Neeson is a patron of ] based charity and film festival ], which encourages and helps young people to get involved in the movie industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemagic.org.uk/about-us/festival-patrons |title=Festival Patrons |work=CineMagic |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
| In June 2012, Neeson's publicist denied reports that Neeson was converting to ]. However, the actor has expressed an affection for the ], the Islamic call to prayer, that he grew accustomed to while filming '']'' in ]: "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?|publisher=UKScreen|date=1 October 2012|accessdate=30 June 2013}}</ref> He also expressed admiration for the '']'' of ].<ref name="Neesonreligion">{{cite web|last=Blaney|first=Retta|title=Acting Is a Form of Prayer|publisher=BeliefNet|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/133/story_13350_1.html|accessdate=16 July 2007}}</ref> | |||
| ==Honours and awards== | |||
| In the year 2000, Neeson was offered the "] of Ballymena" by the ] Borough Council, but because of objections made by members of the ] 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 news|title=Neeson refuses hometown honour|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/685970.stm|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=20 January 2012|date=21 March 2000}}</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=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21230305 |title=Liam Neeson arrives in Ballymena to receive award |work=] |date=28 January 2013 |accessdate=8 April 2016}}</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 ] (OBE) by ] in her ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jamie|title=Top billing at last for veteran entertainers; Showbusiness Awards for Elizabeth Taylor and Shirley Bassey|accessdate=29 May 2012|newspaper=]|date=31 December 1999|location=London|page=4}}</ref> ] honoured Neeson with their Performing Arts Award for the great distinction he has brought to Ireland at their 2008 Dinner Gala in ].{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} In 2009, at a ceremony in New York, Neeson was awarded an honorary doctorate by ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Liam Neeson graduates 40 years on|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8037845.stm|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=1 November 2012|date=7 May 2009}}</ref> On the 9th April 2016, Neeson was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema award by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) at the Mansion House in Dublin. Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish President) Michael D. Higgins presented Neeson with the award. | |||
| == Filmography == | |||
| {{main article|Liam Neeson filmography}} | |||
| ===Awards and nominations=== | |||
| {| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Year | |||
| ! Awards | |||
| ! Category | |||
| ! Recipient | |||
| ! Outcome | |||
| |- | |||
| | 1990 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | rowspan="6" | 1993 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | rowspan="6" | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Won}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |rowspan="3" | 1996 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |rowspan="3" | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Won}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |rowspan="2" | 1999 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |rowspan="2" | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | 2003 | |||
| | Phoenix Film Critics Society Award | |||
| | Best Actor | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |rowspan="8" | 2004 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |rowspan="8" | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Won}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Won}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| |rowspan="2" | 2005 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |rowspan="2" | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |- | |||
| | 2009 | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| | {{Nom}} | |||
| |} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|30em}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons category}} | |||
| {{wikiquote}} | |||
| * {{IMDb name|553|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| * {{IBDB name|54322|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| * {{Tcmdb name|139569|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| * {{Mojo name|liamneeson|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| * {{Amg name|52070|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| * {{Screenonline name|490910|Liam Neeson}} | |||
| {{Navboxes | |||
| |title = Awards for Liam Neeson | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Distinguished Performance Award}} | |||
| {{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}} | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Neeson, Liam}} | |||
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| ] | |||
| <!-- "xxxx actors from Northern Ireland" is a sub-category of "Irish xxx actors". So the later is redundant --> | |||
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Revision as of 05:00, 18 June 2016
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