Liam Neeson

Have you ever wondered where the popular meme that ends with the threatening line “But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you” comes from? This wicked line was delivered convincingly by the Irish actor, Liam Neeson, when he played the role of Brian in the movie Taken (2008). Although the name might not ring any bells, he is known for bringing Oskar Schindler (Schindler’s List, 1993), Jean Valjean (Les Miserables, 1998), Qui-Gon Jin (Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, 1999), and Zeus (Wrath of the Titans, 2012) to life. Although a Catholic, Liam Neeson was enthralled how Presbyterian pastor turned politician Ian Paisley delivered powerful, moving sermons in church. His exposure in theatre companies in Belfast and London further honed his acting, creating a formidable actor with a compelling voice and convincing delivery. His initial foray into acting was to play Jesus in 1977 in Pilgrim’s Progress but his break into mainstream acting was being cast as Sir Gawain in the film Excalibur in 1980. He continued to make movies with Hollywood stars but his big break came when he was cast as Oskar Schindler instead of Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson and Warren Beatty where Hollywood took notice by being nominated for an Oscar. Although he did not get the award, he got the role of the legendary Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jin, in the Star Wars franchise. He has lent his voice to animated characters such as Aslan (Chronicles of Narnia), Fujimoto (Ponyo, 2009), and Qui Gon Jin (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, 2011). Liam Neeson married actress Natasha Richardson on July 1994, whom he had two children with. He became a widower on March 2009, when Richardson died due to severe head injuries sustained in a skiing accident.