Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson was born 7 June 1952 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, UK.  He was raised in a Catholic family in the mostly Protestant town of Ballymena.  Neeson has three sisters: Elizabeth, Bernadette and Rosaleen.  Neeson's mother, Kitty, still lives in Ballymena.  One of his first film memories was of John Ford's The Quiet Man (John Wayne), he credits this as being the first influence the most likely catalyst for his interest in drama.

At nine Neeson started boxing lessons at All Saints Youth Club.  At fifteen he broke his nose while boxing, there was no doctor present, the trainer re-set Neeson's nose on the spot.  Neeson was quite adept at boxing and managed to beat all his competitors at All Saints.  He started to compete at the amateur level and won the Irish Youth Championship.  He gave up boxing after a short blackout following a fight.

Neeson attended Hugomont School in Ballymena (1957) and also attended St. Patrick's College (then called St. Patrick's Secondary School) from 1963-1967.  His cousin Maureen Neeson is currently a teacher at the school.

He attended the University of Belfast majoring in physics and computer science but did not fare well.  He then worked as a forklift driver at the Guinness brewery, a truck driver and an assistant architect, "in charge of Xerox machines and copying" he said.  At the urging of his parents, he felt obligated to return to school, at least to get his diploma, and to follow in his sister's footsteps in becoming a teacher.  He enrolled at Queens College in Belfast and majored in physics, computer science, math and drama and pursuing a teaching degree (his first career choice).  But he spent so much of his time in the drama workshops that it cut into his 'teaching time' Neeson says, "...the theatrical bug 'bit'".  He adds that he does regret not having finished school.

In 1975 Neeson had a more than interesting experience on the day he auditioned at the Belfast Lyric Players Theatre.  The day was one of bombings and chaos.   Neeson, without telling his parents, took time from work to travel to Belfast for the audition.  He was accepted that very afternoon.

In 1976 he joined the Belfast Lyric Players Theatre (he was accepted in 1975) and made his professional acting debut in Joseph Plunkett's The Risen People.  Two years later he joined Dublin's' Abbey Theater and did the classics, including an adaptation of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men,  it was here that Neeson was spotted by director John Boorman who cast him as Sir Gawain in Excalibur.  During the production of
Excalibur Neeson caught the eye of fellow cast mate Helen Mirren (Morgana) in the film, their romance ended in 1985.  (They starred together again in 1996 - The Great War mini-series.)

Neeson is known for his romances with leading ladies: Julia Roberts, Brooke Shields, Barbra Streisand and Sinead O'Connor to name a few.

In 1992 Neeson debuted on Broadway in Anna Christie, where he was seen by Spielberg and cast in Schindler's List, opposite Natasha Richardson (The Handmaid's Tale, a romance blossomed, but this one was to last quite a bit longer (the couple married in 1994 July 3 and have two sons: Michael Antonio,1995, and Daniel Jack 1997), Joely Richardson is Neeson's sister-in-law.  Neeson was nominated for a Tony for his performance in Anna Christie.  The same year Neeson and Richardson starred together in Nell with Jodie Foster, though the first time they worked together was in 1984 on Ellis Island.

 

 

Film

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian~2008 - voice of Aslan the Lion

Unknown Title>>>Abraham Lincoln>>>from the book: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln~2008 - Abraham Lincoln (postponed)

 

'Paisley Biopic'~200? - Reverend Ian Paisley

Seraphim Falls~2007 - Colonel Carver

 

Taken~2007/8 - ex-soldier

Black Holes~2007 - narrator

The White Rose~2007 -

Sergeant York~1941 (DVD release 2006 Bonus Features) - Narrator of the making of Sergeant York

Patrick~2006 - narrator

Seraphim Falls~2007 - Colonel Carver

White Rose, The~2006 - 

Eugene O'Neill: A Documentary Film~2005 - Himself as reader/interviewee

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe~2005 - voice of Aslan the Lion

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith~2005 - Qui-Gon Jinn

Breakfast on Pluto~2005 - Father Bernard

Batman Begins~2005 - Henri Ducard (see Actor Connections - Film)

Kingdom of Heaven~2005 - Knight Godfrey of Ibelin (see Actor Connections - Film)

Asylum~2004 - (with his wife Natasha Richardson)

Kinsey~2004 - Alfred Kinsey (see Actor Connections - Film)

Patrick~2004 - Narrator

Exorcist: Dominion~2003 - Father Lankester Merrin

Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones~2002 - Qui-Gon Jinn (voice cameo)

Love Actually~2003 - Daniel

Coral Reef Adventure~2002 - Narrator (IMAX)

Gangs of New York~2002 - Priest Vallon

Ultimate Fights from the Movies~2002 (V) (archive footage) - Dawson (Crossing the Line)

Reflections of Evil~2002 (uncredited) (voice) - Oskar Schindler

Journey Into Amazing Caves~2001 - Narrator

Changing Stages~2001 - Himself
Evolution~2001 - Narrator
Revenge of the Whale~2001 Narrator

K-19: The Widowmaker~2001 - Vladimir Yenin (see Actor Connections - Film)

Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition~2000 (voice) - Narrator

Greeks: Crucible of Civilization, The~2000 - Narrator
Fly-Fishing the World~2000 - Himself
Man Who Came to Dinner, The~2000 - Host
Inside the Space Stations~2000 - Narrator
True Lives: The Maze~2000 - Narrator

Gun Shy~2000 - Undercover Fed Charles 'Charlie' Mayeaux

Ambrose Chapel~1999 - 

Making of The Haunting, The~1999 - Himself

Omagh the Legacy: Claire and Stephen's Story~1999 - Narrator

Stars of Star Wars: Interviews with the Cast, The~1999 (V) - Himself

Haunting, The~1999 - Dr David Marrow

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace~1999 -  Qui-Gon Jinn

Miserables, Les~1998 - Valjean

Everest~1998 (voice) - Narrator

EcoChallenge Morocco '98~1998 - Narrator
Jerusalem: City of Heaven~1997 - Narrator

Alaska: Spirit of the Wild~1997

Clark Gable: Tall, Dark and Handsome~1996 - Host

Leap of Faith, A~1996 (voice) - Narrator

Michael Collins~1996 - Michael Collins

River Dance the New Show~1996 - Narrator

Before and After~1996 - Ben Ryan

Lumière et compagnie~1995 segment on John Boorman - Himself

Rob Roy~1995 - MacGregor

Nell~1994 - Jerome Lovell

Ethan Frome~1993 - Ethan Frome

Ruby Cairo~1993 - Dr. Fergus Lamb

Ethan Frome~1993 - Ethan Frome

Schindler's List~1993 - Oskar Schindler

Ruby Cairo~1993 - Fergus Lamb

Husbands and Wives~1992 - Michael

Leap of Faith~1992 - Will

Under Suspicion~1992 - Tony Aaron

Shining Through~1992 - Franz-Otto Dietrich (see Actor Connections - Film)

Darkman~1990 - Peyton Westlake/Darkman

Big Man, The~1990 - Danny Scoular

Next of Kin~1989 - Briar

Dead Pool, The~1988 - Peter Swan

Good Mother, The~1988 - Leo Cutter

High Spirits~1988 - Martin Brogan

Satisfaction~1988 - Martin Falcon

Suspect~1987 - Carl Wayne Anderson

Prayer for the Dying, A~1987 - Liam Docherty

Duet for One~1986 - Totter (see Actor Connections - Film)

Lamb~1986 - Michael Lamb

Mission, The~1986 - Fielding

Innocent, The~1985 - John Carns

Bounty, The~1984 - Seaman Charles Churchill

Krull~1983 - Kegan (see Actor Connections - Film)

Nailed~1981 - Young Catholic

Excalibur~1981 - Gawain

Christiana~1979 - Evangelist

Pilgrim's Progress II: Cristiana~1973

Pilgrim's Progress~1973 - Evangelist

 

TV 

Xavier~2006 -  narrator

After Jesus: The First Christians~2006 - narrator

Eugene O'Neill: A Documentary Film~2005 - Himself as reader/interviewee 3/29/06 (PBS)

Star Wars: Feel the Force~2005 - Himself

Saturday Night Live~1975 - Himself (host; w/Modest Mouse) 6/18/05

Good Morning America~1975 - Himself 6/14/05

View, The~1997 - Himself 6/13/05

Live with Regis and Kelly~1989 - Himself 4/27/05

Jesus Segment on CNN Christmas report~2004 - narrator 12/25/04

View, The~1997 - Himself 12/15/04

Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show~2003 - Himself 12/27/04

Tonight Show with Jay Leno~1992 - Himself 12/3/04

Live With Regis and Kathie Lee~1989 - Himself 11/12/04

Saturday Night Live~1975 - Guest Host (#30.5)  11/13/04

Simpsons, The~1989 - Priest, Father Sean (voice) 2004/2005?

Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde~2004 - reader (tribute/fund raiser for Amnesty International)

Tinsel Town TV~2003 - Himself 11/29/03

Evolution~2002 - Narrator

Inside the Playboy Mansion~2002 - Narrator

Liberty's Kids~2002 - John Paul Jones

Martin Luther~2002 - Narrator

Maze, The~2002  (voice) - Narrator

Who Is Alan Smithee?~2002  (uncredited) (archive footage) - Himself

Nobel Peace Prize Concert~2001  - Host

Revenge of the Whale~2001  - Narrator

Sesame Street~1969 -  Himself 2001

Greeks: Crucible of Civilization, The~2001  - Narrator

Inside the Space Station~2000  (voice) - Narrator

Man Who Came to Dinner, The~2000  - Host

Touched by an Angel~1994 -  Himself in Life Before Death (# 6.16) 2/13/2000

Big Breakfast, The~1992 -   guest appearance 1999

GMTV~1993 -  playing Himself in: 'Star Wars GMTV meets The Phantom Menace' 1999

Great War, The~1996  mini-series (voice) - John Lucy

Out of Ireland~1995 - voice

Salute to Steven Spielberg, A~1995  - Himself

Sweet as You Are~1987  - Martin Perry

Sworn to Silience~1987  - Vincent Cauley

If Tomorrow comes~1986  mini-series - Inspector Andre Trignant (see Actor Connections - TV)

Miami Vice~1984 -  Sean Carroon in When Irish Eyes Are Crying (#3.1) 9/26/1986

Hold the Dream~1986  - Blackie O'Neill

Arthur the King~1985  - Grak

Ellis Island~1984  mini-series - Kevin Murray (see Actor Connections - TV)

An Audience with Mel Brooks~1983 - Himself

Woman of Substance, A~1983  mini-series - Blackie O'Neill

Parkinson~1971 -  guest appearance

 

Theater

Touch of the Poet, A~2005 - (considering)

Camelot~2005 - King Arthur (New York, NY, US)

Play What I Wrote, The~2003 - Mystery Guest Star (Lyceum Theatre, NY, US)

Crucible, The~2002 -  John Proctor (Virginia Theatre, New York, NY, US)

Riverdance~2000 -  Voice over (New York, US)

Ethan Frome~19?? - (American Playhouse, New York, NY, US)

Anna Christie~1993 -  Mat Burke (Roundabout Theatre, New York, NY, US)

The Judas Kiss~1998 -  Oscar Wilde (The Playhouse, London, UK) (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

Of Mice and Men~1980 - Lennie (Lyric Players Theater; Abbey Theatre, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK)

I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell~1979 - (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland) 
The Death of Humpty Dumpty~1979 - (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland) 
Juno and the Paycock~1979 - (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland) 
Winter's Tale, The~1979 - (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland) 
Translations~1978/9 - (Britain's National Theatre, London, UK)

The Plough and the Stars~1978/9 - Jack Clitheroe(Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, England, UK)
The Rise and Fall of Barney Kerrigan~1977 - Barney Kerrigan (?)

Black Man's Country~1977 - Father Anthony O'Brien (?)

Mother Courage~1977 - Catholic Sergeant (?)

The Gathering~1977 - Teddy (?)

A Little Night Music~1977 - Bertrand (?)

Informer, The~1977 - (Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin, Ireland) 
Streamers~1977 - (Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin, Ireland) 
Says I, Says He~1977 - (Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin, Ireland) 

Streamers~1977 - (Project Theatre, Dublin, Ireland)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest~1977 - (The Gate Theatre, Dublin, Ireland)

Black Man's Country~1977 - (Lyric Players Theatre, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK)

Henry IV Part 1~1976 - Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester

Oedipus & Oedipus At Colonus~1976 - A Priest (?)

Philadelphia Here I Come~1976 - Gareth O'Donnell

We Do It For Love~1976 - O'Brien (?)

The Loves of Cass Maguire~1976 - Dom (?)

The Risen People~1976 - Jim Larkin (Abbey Theater, Dublin, Northern Ireland, UK)

Dark of the Moon~1973 - (Slemish Players, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, UK)

Informer, The~1970 - (Slemish Players, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, UK)

Words Upon the Windowframe~1970 - (Slemish Players, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, UK)

Philadelphia, Here I Come~1970 - (Slemish Players, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, UK)

Live Performances

The Lincoln Family Album~2006 - Lincoln? performer (with Holly Hunter) (Library of Congress – Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, DC)

Poetry Reading~2005 - (New York City, NY)

 

Albums

Across the Bridge of Hope~1998 - reader of the poem Across the Bridge of Hope

 

Audio Books

How the Irish Saved Civilization : The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe~1997 - reader

The Emperor's New Clothes~1998 - narrator

Winter's Crossing~1998 narrator

Lake of Shadows~2001 - narrator

Polar Express, The~2000 - narrator

Across the Bridge of Hope~1999 - narrator

No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van Morrison~1994 -narrator

 

Books

For the Children~2004 Appearing in a book about Ireland life (shows a wide range of individuals in photos).  Book for UNICEF's Ireland's Growing Up Alone campaign.

Hollywood Irish : In Their Own Words: Illustrated Interviews With Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn and Patrick Bergin

GiveGet Book~2004 - appearance in the book as a contributor for the fight to find a cure for cancer.

 

Video Games

Fallout 3~2007 - voice of main character's father

Batman Begins~2005 - voice of Henri Ducard

 

Awards, honors and nominations:

Academy Awards (Oscar):                                            

Nom 1994 Best Actor in a Leading Role for Schindler's List

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (Saturn Awards):                                            

Nom 2000 Best Actor for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

AIHS (American Irish Historical Society) Gold Medal:

Rec'd Gold Medal

BAFTA (British 'Oscar'):
Nom 1994 Best Actor Leading for Schindler's List         

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards:

Nom 2000 Favorite Actor - Action/Science Fiction for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace             

Rec'd 2000 Favorite Actor - Horror for The Haunting                                 

Cognac Festival du Film Policie:                                            

Rec'd 1992 Best Actor for Under Suspicion                                            

Evening Standard British Film Awards                                            

Rec'd 1997 Best Actor for Michael Collins         

Golden Globes:                                            

Nom 2005 Best Dramatic Actor for Kinsey

Nom 1997 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for  Michael Collins

Nom 1994 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for Schindler's List                                                      

Golden Satellite Awards

Nom 2005 Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for Kinsey

Grammy:

Nom 1986 Spoken Word for The Polar Express

Independent Spirit Awards:

Nom 2004 Male Lead for Kinsey

Irish Film and Television Awards:

Rec'd 2005 Best Irish Actor for a Film for Kinsey

Larne Drama Festival

Rec'd 1970 Best Actor for Philadelphia, Here I Come

London Film Critics Circle Awards:

Nom 1995 Actor of the Year for Schindler's List                                                        

Los Angeles Film Critics Association:

Rec'd 2004 Best Actor for Kinsey

MTV Movie Awards:                                            

Nom 2000 Best Fight for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (shared with: Ewan McGregor  Ray Park)

OBE (UK):

1999 - named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth on New Years' Eve

Palm Springs International Film Festival:

Rec'd 2005 - Desert Palm Achievement Award - Actor

Taormina International Film Festival:

2000 Diamond Award for his body of work

Tony:

Nom 2002 Best Actor for The Crucible

Nom 1993 his role in Anna Christie 

Venice Film Festival (Volpi Cup):                                            

Rec'd 1996 Best Actor for Michael Collins
Other Honors:

 

Received an honorary degree from Fordham University, in Ireland in December of 2004

 

Miscellany

2005 - In one part of Michael Flatley's show, Celtic Tiger, a very large portrait of Liam Neeson hangs as a backdrop.

 

2005 - AARP voted Neeson one of the 50 hotties over 50 in their June issue.

 

Neeson was once heavily approached for the role of James Bond (for Golden Eye~1995) but refused.

 

Supports Down’s Syndrome Association (national charity)

 

Neeson loves shoes and is very particular about which ones he purchases.  He calls himself an "Imelda Marcos" (obviously for the amount of shoes he's got)

 

#4 on The Sunday Times 2001 list of the Top 500 Earners (Ewan was #7)

Neeson had heard from a friend that George Lucas was casting and directing Star Wars Episode 1.  Neeson got his representative to find out if it was possible to get a part.  The sets for Episode 1 had to be adjusted because of Neeson's height, 6'4", the adjustment cost over $150,000.  Neeson was pleased that the color of his lightsaber was green. (Irish)

 

#69 in Empire Magazine's 1997 Top 100 Movie Stars of all Time

One of Empire Magazine's 1995 Sexiest Stars in Film History

 

July 11, 2000 - fractured his right pelvis and chipped the left one with contusions on his legs after hitting a deer while riding his 1989 Harley Davidson motorcycle, near his home in Washington NY.  He vowed never to get on a motorcycle again.

1998 - won a libel case against papers that claimed his marriage was in trouble

Sets for movies are made to fit just above the actor's heads.  For the sets on Episode 1 they had to be adjusted because of Neeson's height, 6'4", the adjustment cost over $150,000

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