Liam Neeson Names the Part He’s Most Proud of Playing

Liam Neeson has had a career filled with unforgettable roles, but when asked about his personal favorite, he surprised many by choosing a film that isn’t an obvious blockbuster. While most fans immediately think of his action-packed work in Taken, Neeson revealed that his favorite role is actually in the 1996 historical drama Michael Collins.

During a conversation promoting his romantic drama Ordinary Love, Neeson explained that playing Michael Collins was deeply meaningful to him. “Collins was a highly controversial figure in Irish history,” he said, “He essentially invented modern terrorism through small, independent cells.

The story had so much depth, and the character was incredibly complex.” Neeson added that the legacy of Collins continues to influence political movements today, which made portraying him a particularly rewarding challenge. Even though Taken became a worldwide phenomenon, Neeson admitted he initially found the script a little corny.

He specifically recalled the famous line, “I have a particular set of skills,” and said, “It sounded scary, but I thought it was a cornball moment.” The actor had assumed the movie would go straight to video and only play for a short time in France. It was only after Fox released it with trailers during major sporting events that the film exploded into a global hit.

Despite the massive success of Taken, Neeson explained why it doesn’t top his personal list. “I love the intensity of that film, but it’s not my favorite role,” he shared. Instead, the historical weight and emotional complexity of Michael Collins made that film stand out in his mind.

When asked about roles he didn’t enjoy, Neeson said he genuinely loves the process of acting. “Every role has something to teach you,” he said. “You build bonds with the crew and your fellow actors, and every experience matters, whether the movie ends up being a masterpiece or not.”

Neeson has remained incredibly active, continuing to show his range across multiple genres. He recently starred in the horror-comedy Cold Storage, which premiered on February 13. In it, he plays a retired bioterror agent who must contain a prehistoric parasitic fungus alongside Joe Keery from Stranger Things and Georgina Campbell from Barbarian.

He also explored comedy with the reboot of The Naked Gun, taking on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., and fans can look forward to his upcoming heist comedy 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, set to release on April 17.

From intense historical dramas to high-octane action and comedy, Neeson has proven that he thrives in every type of role. “I’m proud of all the work I’ve done,” he said, “Each film teaches you something new and keeps you growing as an actor.”

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