Liam Neeson Explains When He'll Retire His 'Particular Set of Skills' in Action Movies: 'I'm 72' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Neeson on the cover of PEOPLE.

Liam Neeson’s résumé includes starring roles in some of the biggest films of the past few decades: He was the hero of Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture–winning dramaSchindler’s List(earning an Oscar nomination himself), a Jedi Master in theStar Warsfranchise, and a charming widower in the enduring holiday favoriteLove Actually.

But withTaken— the 2009 revenge drama about a former government agent who must rescue his kidnapped daughter — Neeson found a second act as an action star, connecting with viewers more than ever before.

“It just seemed to have touched something in the psychic nerve of moviegoing audiences,” thefather of twotells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

“He’s calling, I don’t know, 55, 60 of us. He gets to me, but all I’m hearing is, ‘I have a particular set of skills. Skills that would make me…’ And I thought, ‘Oh f— no,’ ” Neeson says with a smile, as he recalls hearing the recitation of his monologue fromTaken.

“It was actually really sweet and flattering. As I was leaving, people started to applaud,” continues Neeson.

He’s now made more than a dozen movies in the genre,including his latest,Absolution, the tale of a low-level criminal and boxerafflicted with CTEwho — you guessed it — exacts revenge on some very bad men.

Director Hans Petter Moland, who also directed Neeson in 2019’sCold Pursuit, says the star brings a humanity to these types of roles. “When he’s immersed in the character he is, you see the hurt, you see the pain,” says Moland. “He becomes that man.”

Liam Neeson in ‘Absolution.'.Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

While Moland says Neeson had no trouble with the role’s physicality, the actor himself is thinking ahead to a day when he won’t be able to convincingly throw a punch.

“I’m 72 — it has to stop at some stage,” says Neeson, who performs in his own fight scenes but leaves the more intricate stunt work to longtime collaborator Mark Vanselow. “You can’t fool audiences. I don’t want Mark to be fighting my fight scenes for me.”

He’s eyeing an exit sometime in 2025, but hasn’t firmly committed: “Maybe the end of next year. I think that’s it,” he says.

Liam Neeson showing his softer side on a recent visit to Ronald McDonald House New York.Lisa Staryak Photography

Lisa Staryak Photography

Neeson could certainly have a third act as a comedy star. He recently wrapped filminga reboot of the Leslie Nielsen police comedyThe Naked Gun. He plays the hapless cop Frank Drebin Jr. in a new story, withPamela Andersoncostarring as a femme fatale.

“I’m madly in love with her. I can’t compliment her enough. She’s funny,” says Neeson.

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He’s less sure of his own comedy skills as the “silly” movie’s lead. “Whether I can carry it or not, I honestly don’t know,” he says. Anderson disagrees. “He’s being humble,” she says. “It was hard to keep a straight face in scenes together.”

Absolutionis in theaters Nov. 1.

For more on Liam Neeson, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com