Liam Neeson, 72, discusses his decision to stop making action films

In his nearly 50-year career, Liam Neeson has played a number of roles, including Jedi Master, kind Nazi party member, endearing widower, and vindictive father in the Taken series, which made the actor a legendary action hero.

Neeson recently stated that he is thinking about retiring because “it has to stop at some stage.” At 72, Neeson is not convinced he can deliver a punch convincingly. To find out more about the news that will undoubtedly break Neeson’s fans’ hearts, continue reading! Irish actor Liam Neeson is well-known for playing a variety of parts in a range of genres, from sombre roles to action-packed films. His role as Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List was his breakthrough in the early 1990s and brought him international acclaim.

The Oscar-nominated actor played a number of roles over the course of the following ten years, ranging from endearing romantic leads to a leading part as a Jedi Master in Star Wars, the world’s largest series.

Then, relying on his “very particular set of skills,” Neeson made a daring and surprising career change that paid off brilliantly by becoming an action star with Taken (2008). Many were surprised by the Love Actually star’s move into the high-octane thriller genre.

Neeson established a new identity as a starring man in action-packed films at the age of 56, demonstrating his adaptability and timeless appeal across generations and genres.

Audiences responded favourably to the star’s portrayal of Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent who is determined to save his kidnapped daughter, in the hugely successful film Taken. In an interview with People in October 2024, the father of two says, “It just seemed to have touched something in the psychic nerve of moviegoing audiences.”