Irish-born actor Liam Neeson has given over five decades of memorable and outstanding performances in film and television.
A classically trained theater actor, he made his way through the early days of his career with minor roles in critically acclaimed films such as “The Mission” (1986) and “Husbands and Wives” (1992).
But his big break came when he took on the role of Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s best picture winner “Schindler’s List” (1993). Neeson was nominated for best actor for his turn as the German industrialist that saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust but lost out to Tom Hanks in “Philadelphia.”
Since then, he’s taken on notable roles in dramas such as “Nell” (1994) opposite Jodie Foster and “Michael Collins” (1996), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for lead actor in a drama. He has also presented other awards-worthy performances that have gone unnoticed, such as the grieving father who helps his son get the girl in “Love Actually” (2003) and the controversial sexologist in “Kinsey” (2004).
An unadulterated movie star, he’s been part of the most significant action blockbusters and franchises over the last 25 years.
Starting with Sam Raimi’s cult-classic “Darkman” (1990), Neeson has played Qui-Gon Jinn, who identifies as a young Darth Vader in George Lucas’ first prequel film “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999) and the villainous Ra’s al Ghul in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” (2005). However, one of his best-known — and most quotable — roles is when he shared his “particular set of skills” in the “Taken” franchise, which spawned two sequels and grossed nearly $1 billion collectively worldwide.
Neeson has elevated the action genre in various ways, exploring new realms of the cinematic landscape as a sharpshooter-turned-wolf fighter in “The Grey” (2012) and as a husband that does some evil deeds and resents the Blackness of his wife in “Widows” (2018).
With two Tony nominations for best actor in a play — “Anna Christie” in 1993 and “The Crucible” in 2002 — there’s not much he cannot do. As he conquers role after role in Hollywood, his Oscar moment will hopefully be on the horizon.
Variety is ranking Neeson’s 10 best film performances below.
Honorable mentions: “Rob Roy” (1995), “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005), “The LEGO Movie” (2014), “A Monster Calls” (2016)
10
Michael Collins (1996)
Role: Michael Collins
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Written by: Neil Jordan
The scene that proves it: Taking the police station.
Aside from his sole Oscar nomination for “Schindler’s List” (1993), Neeson’s take on Irish revolutionary soldier Michael Collins is probably the closest the actor has come to returning to the ceremony as a nominee.
While the film picked up two noms for cinematography (Chris Menges) and original score (Elliot Goldenthal), Neeson did not receive a nomination.
However, his performance earned him the best actor prize at the Venice Film Festival, where the film picked up the Golden Lion. Alongside a killer turn by Alan Rickman, the underappreciated biopic should be revisited by more cinephiles.
9
Darkman (1990)
Role: Dr. Peyton Westlake / Darkman
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Chuck Pfarrer, Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, Daniel Goldin, Joshua Goldin (based on the short story by Sam Raimi)
The scene that proves it: “The pink elephant.”
Sam Raimi’s superhero film based on his own short story pays homage to horror films of the 1930s, anchored within a bonkers turn by Neeson, marking his first action-film role.
With eventual three-time Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand as the love interest, Neeson’s left-for-dead scientist remains a fan-favorite in his filmography.
8
Batman Begins (2005)
Role: Henri Ducard / Ra’s al Ghul
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer (based on the characters by DC Comics)
The scene that proves it: “The will to act.”
As the League of Shadows leader who trains Bruce Wayne (played by Christian Bale) in martial arts, which leads to him becoming Batman, “Batman Begins” was a change of pace for Neeson.
However, in the “revelation” that he was the main villain, he brings a sense of thoughtful contemplation to his ultimate plan in the best written Batman film of the franchise thus far. The film was Oscar-nominated for best cinematography (Wally Pfister).
7
Taken (2008)
Role: Bryan Mills
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Pierre Morel
Written by: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
The scene that proves it: “Particular set of skills.”
As an ex-CIA Agent who works relentlessly to track down his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) after human traffickers kidnap her, Neeson cements himself as an action star. Though the film was followed by two lesser-than sequels (and a NBC television series), his quotable monologue has remained prominent in pop culture.
6
Widows (2018)
Role: Harry Rawlings
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Written by: Gillian Flynn, Steve McQueen (based on “Widows” by Lynda La Plante)
The scene that proves it: “It was meant to be simple…”
In Steve McQueen’s follow-up to his best picture winner, “12 Years a Slave” (2013), he assembled a dynamic cast for this heist thriller based on a 1983 British TV series. In the mix is Neeson’s role as Harry Rawlings, a bank robber adored by his wife Veronica (played exquisitely by Viola Davis).
Although there are more standout performances in the film, including an Oscar-snubbed Daniel Kaluuya, Neeson’s reveal regarding the death of his biracial son leading to the end of their marriage is refreshingly timely and strikes multiple chords across our divided society.
5
Silence (2016)
Role: Father Cristóvão Ferreira
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: Jay Cocks, Martin Scorsese (based on “Silence” by Shūsaku Endō)
The scene that proves it: “Apostatize or die.”
As someone who believes Martin Scorsese’s epic historical drama and lifelong passion project “Silence” (2016) is the single best film of his impressive career, Neeson’s work in it will never go unnoticed. All of the film’s philosophical themes tied to religion, faith and humanity’s connection to the spiritual creator are connected to Neeson’s Father Ferreira.
Intertwined with outstanding performances from Andrew Garfield (who should have been nominated for this over “Hacksaw Ridge”) and the grotesquely Academy-ignored Issey Ogata, Neeson’s focus and precision in delivering his reasoning for taking the name Sawano Chūan gives the narrative heft that makes “Silence” a film like no other.
4
Love Actually (2003)
Role: Daniel
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Written by: Richard Curtis
The scene that proves it: Joanna’s funeral.
The charm of Neeson is beautifully orchestrated in Richard Curtis’ multi-character Christmas rom-com “Love Actually.” Boasting an all-star cast that includes other standouts like Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Andrew Lincoln, nothing opens the tear ducts more than when Neeson’s Daniel delivers the eulogy at his wife’s funeral. The way he embraces and rests his face against the casket as he carries it out is profoundly moving.
3
The Grey (2011)
Role: John Ottway
Distributed by: Open Road Films
Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Written by: Joe Carnahan, Ian MacKenzie Jeffers (based on the short story “Ghost Walker” by Jeffers)
The scene that proves it: Stumbling into the wolf’s den.
The philosophic symbols and expert filmmaking style by Joe Carnahan only help Neeson’s visceral work as a sharpshooter for an oil company who becomes stranded in Alaska after a plane crash. Neeson’s ability to explore his tormented past and accept an unbecoming future in his last stand with the alpha wolf is among his most rich performances. Not to mention, the film has aged beautifully over the last decade.
2
Kinsey (2004)
Role: Alfred Kinsey
Distributed by: Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight Pictures)
Directed by: Bill Condon
Written by: Bill Condon
The scene that proves it: “I suppose I’ve been a one or two…”
In Bill Condon’s underappreciated biopic that looks at the life and work of Professor Alfred Kinsey, Neeson delivers the scientific aspect of his career in sexology while still delivering a humanistic portrayal of man’s sexuality.
While his co-star Laura Linney was the only one to muster an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, Neeson’s work did receive a Golden Globe nom for lead actor in a drama and won him the Los Angeles Film Critics Association prize.
1
Schindler’s List (1993)
Role: Oskar Schindler
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Steven Zaillian (based on “Schindler’s Ark” by Thomas Keneally)
The scene that proves it: “I could have done more.”
Alongside an all-star cast including Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and Caroline Goodall, Neeson delivers his finest moments as an actor in Steven Spielberg’s deeply personal Holocaust drama.
Nominated for 12 Oscars (and winning seven), Neeson was among those mentioned for best actor, showcasing incredible moments in which he bears his soul. Most noteworthy is the heartbreaking scene where he shares his regrets that he should have done more to save the millions that perished. Again, it’s Neeson at his very best.
