The actor, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, grew up during the sectarian conflict in the 1970s

LIAM Neeson never paid much attention to the Watergate scandal in the US — because he was too preoccupied with the Troubles in ­Northern Ireland.

The actor, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, grew up during the sectarian conflict in the 1970s.

Liam Neeson in his new role as he stars in new movie The Silent ManCredit: Sony Pictures Classics
And it was that experience which distracted him from the political drama unfolding in Washington DC.

However, he was forced to make up for lost time when he took on the title role in new film Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down The White House.

The movie follows the exploits of the FBI agent known as Deep Throat, who was responsible for leaking crucial information to investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

The 65-year-old star revealed: “During the Watergate, in the North of Ireland, we were going through our own troubles. So, I was kind of aware about Watergate, from the periphery of it.

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Antrim actor NeesonCredit: Getty
“But Peter Landesman, the writer and director who was an ex-investigative journalist, a very good one, showed me the script and I knew very little about it.

“So I started doing a little research and I realised how huge Watergate was, not just for America but for the rest of the society.”

Bullied lad gets Liam call

BIG-hearted Liam Neeson has reached out to a ­bullying victim in a touching gesture of support.
The actor made contact with the family of 13-year-old Liam O’Brien after the youngster suffered a series of assaults at his school in Long Island, US.
The teenager spent two months in hospital earlier this year for an eating disorder and depression.
His story went viral when mum Deirdre spoke out about his situation on Facebook. And Liam, below, received a huge boost when his favourite actor called to offer his support.
Deirdre said: “Liam Neeson was so nice and supportive. And our Liam was so excited to hear about the calls because he loves his movies.”

The film, released today in the US, is based on Felt’s 2006 ­autobiography in which he chronicles his role in the saga that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

“While many ­people had suspected that Felt was Deep Throat, he only disclosed his identity in 2005, three years before his death at the age of 95.

Neeson said of his role: “I wanted to present a certain facet of the man. There was very little known about his private life, even to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

“He was a man who could compartmentalise his life which I guess, being an FBI man for 30 years, you had to do.”

Ballymena, Co Antrim, grew up during the sectarian conflict in the 1970s