Liam Neeson, 72, opens up on retirement from action movies
Liam Neeson, now 72, has hinted that his time as an action star may be nearing its conclusion. Over the course of nearly five decades in the spotlight, Neeson has embodied an impressive array of characters: from a Jedi Master and a heroic member of the Nazi resistance to a grieving widower and the determined father from the Taken series—a role that cemented him as an iconic action hero. Recently, the actor admitted that his ability to convincingly portray intense physical roles might be waning, saying, “It has to come to an end at some point.”
Renowned for his adaptability, the Irish actor has left his mark on an extensive range of genres, excelling in both drama and action films. Neeson achieved international acclaim in the early 1990s for his portrayal of Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List, a role that earned him critical praise and multiple award nominations. Throughout the following decade, he showcased his talent in a variety of roles, including romantic leads and his part as a Jedi Master in Star Wars, one of the most successful franchises in cinematic history.
In 2008, Neeson took an unexpected turn in his career with the release of Taken, where he harnessed his “very particular set of skills” to redefine himself as an action hero. This bold shift paid off, as audiences embraced his transformation into a tough, no-nonsense leading man in adrenaline-fueled films. At 56, Neeson found a new identity, captivating viewers across different generations with his versatility.
The massive success of Taken marked a turning point for the actor. His portrayal of Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter, resonated deeply with audiences. “It seems to have struck a chord with moviegoers,” Neeson remarked during an interview in October 2024. His gritty, relentless performance—and the now-iconic phone scene where Mills delivers a chilling threat—solidified his place as an unexpected but effective action star. The movie's success spawned two sequels and opened the door to a host of similar roles in the action genre.
Director Hans Petter Moland, who worked with Neeson on Cold Pursuit (2019) and the upcoming film Thug, praised the actor's emotional depth. “When Liam embodies a character, you can feel the hurt and the pain. He truly becomes that person,” Moland said. Despite his enduring success in action roles and the faith filmmakers have in his physicality, Neeson recently announced his intention to step away from the genre, citing his age as the main factor. “I’m 72. It has to end at some point,” he explained, noting that he still performs many of his own stunts.
Neeson’s ability to handle demanding action scenes has been bolstered by his collaboration with longtime stunt coordinator and double Mark Vanselow. Since Taken, their partnership has been instrumental in maintaining the authenticity of his performances. Vanselow not only choreographs fight scenes but ensures that Neeson can safely perform as much of the physical work as possible. “You can’t fool audiences,” Neeson stated. “I don’t want Mark doing my fight scenes for me.”
The actor hinted that the end of 2025 might be the curtain call for his action career. However, it appears Neeson is ready to explore new creative avenues, this time in comedy. He recently wrapped filming on The Naked Gun, a reboot of the 1988 spoof comedy originally starring Leslie Nielsen. Neeson takes on the role of Detective Frank Drebin, now alongside Pamela Anderson.
“I adore her. She’s hilarious,” Neeson said of his co-star, though he admitted some uncertainty about his comedic ability. “Whether I can pull it off, I’m honestly not sure.” Anderson, on the other hand, praised Neeson, calling him “humble” and noting that it was difficult to stay serious during their scenes together.
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