Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Liam Neeson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Liam Neeson made an impact.

Liam Neeson, born William John Neeson, is a highly acclaimed actor from Northern Ireland recognized with nominations for prestigious awards including an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globes, and Tony Awards. He was recognized as one of Ireland's greatest film actors. Neeson's contribution to the arts was further acknowledged with his appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1916: The Easter Rising

Liam Neeson narrated a three-part documentary about the Easter Rising, also known as the 1916 Rising, an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916.

1981: Release of Clash of the Titans

In 1981, the original movie of Clash of the Titans was released. Liam Neeson would later star in the remake in 2010.

2001: Narration of Documentaries

In 2001, Liam Neeson narrated two documentaries: Journey into Amazing Caves, which explores scientists' search for potential cures, and The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Adventure, which later won awards.

2002: Acting in K-19: The Widowmaker and Gangs of New York

In 2002, Liam Neeson acted alongside Harrison Ford in K-19: The Widowmaker as Captain Mikhail Polenin, and he was also in the cast of Gangs of New York with Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Cameron Diaz.

2003: Acting in Love Actually

In 2003, Liam Neeson played a widowed writer in the romantic comedy Love Actually, acting alongside Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Laura Linney. The film was a commercial success.

2004: Starring in Kinsey and Hosting Saturday Night Live

In 2004, Liam Neeson portrayed Alfred Kinsey in the biographical drama Kinsey, and hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, where he starred in various sketches.

2005: Roles in Kingdom of Heaven, Batman Begins, Breakfast on Pluto, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Simpsons

In 2005, Liam Neeson portrayed Godfrey of Ibelin in Kingdom of Heaven, Ra's al Ghul in Batman Begins, and Father Bernard in Breakfast on Pluto. He also replaced Brian Cox as Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and voiced a priest in The Simpsons episode "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star".

2007: Starring in Seraphim Falls and Fallout 3

In 2007, Liam Neeson starred in the American Civil War epic Seraphim Falls. Also in 2007, Neeson voiced the main character's father, James, in the video game Fallout 3.

2008: Starring in Taken and Narrating Black Holes

In 2008, Liam Neeson starred in the action film Taken, playing a retired CIA operative. He also narrated the documentary Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity and voiced Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

2008: Success of Taken

In 2008, Taken was released, and the success of the film helped bring Neeson back into the public eye and led to more big-budget Hollywood roles.

August 2009: Release of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

In August 2009, Liam Neeson provided a voice for Hayao Miyazaki's anime film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, which received a release.

March 2010: Release of Chloe

On March 26, 2010, Chloe was theatrically released by Sony Pictures Classics.

2010: Role in The A-Team

In 2010, Liam Neeson accepted the role of Hannibal in the film adaptation of The A-Team and agreed to smoke cigars for the role, a signature trait of the character, despite having quit smoking earlier.

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2010: Starring in Clash of the Titans, Chloe and The A-Team

In March 2010, Liam Neeson played Zeus in the remake of the 1981 film, Clash of the Titans, and also starred in Atom Egoyan's erotic thriller Chloe, released on March 26, 2010. He played John "Hannibal" Smith in the movie The A-Team. Neeson voiced Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and guest-starred on The Big C.

March 2011: Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In March 2011, Liam Neeson was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

2011: Appearance in Life's Too Short and Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds

In 2011, Liam Neeson played himself in BBC2's series Life's Too Short. Late in 2011, Neeson was cast in Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, replacing Richard Burton through 3D holography.

2011: Starring in Unknown

In 2011, Liam Neeson starred in the action-thriller Unknown, filmed in Berlin in early 2010. This film began a series of collaborations with director Jaume Collet-Serra.

2012: Declining role in Lincoln

In 2012, Liam Neeson declined the role of Abraham Lincoln in the film Lincoln, citing that he was too old for the role.

2012: Starring in The Grey and Taken 2

In 2012, Liam Neeson starred in Joe Carnahan's The Grey, receiving positive reviews. He also starred in Taken 2, a sequel to his 2008 blockbuster, and reprised his role as Ra's al Ghul in The Dark Knight Rises.

February 2014: Release of Non-Stop

On February 28, 2014, the film Non-Stop, starring Liam Neeson, was released.

2014: The Lego Movie and A Walk Among the Tombstones

In 2014, Liam Neeson had a supporting role in The Lego Movie and starred in A Walk Among the Tombstones. He also appeared in A Million Ways to Die in the West and in a Clash of Clans commercial during Super Bowl XLIX.

2014: Starring in Non-Stop

In 2014, Liam Neeson starred in the action film Non-Stop, continuing his collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra.

2015: Starring in Run All Night

In 2015, Liam Neeson starred in Run All Night, another action film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.

April 2016: Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award

On 9 April 2016, Liam Neeson was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) at the Mansion House, Dublin. Irish President Michael D. Higgins presented the award.

2016: Narrating 1916, acting in Silence and A Monster Calls

In 2016, Liam Neeson narrated the RTÉ One documentary on the Easter Rising, 1916. He also reunited with Martin Scorsese for Silence, and did voice and motion capture for A Monster Calls.

2017: Portrayal of Mark Felt in Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House

In 2017, Liam Neeson portrayed Mark Felt in Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.

2017: Advocacy for Integrated Education

In 2017, Liam Neeson voiced his long-term support for integrated education in Northern Ireland, advocating for Catholics and Protestants to be educated together. He praised schools that transformed segregated schools into integrated schools and fronted television adverts to encourage parents to integrate their children's schools.

2017: Listed Among Most Influential Philanthropists

In 2017, Liam Neeson was listed by UK-based company Richtopia at number 74 in the list of 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.

January 2018: Distinguished Service for the Irish Abroad Award

In January 2018, Liam Neeson was awarded the Distinguished Service for the Irish Abroad Award by Irish President Michael D. Higgins, an award recognizing contributions to humanity.