Mt. Rushmore- Liam Neeson

One of Northern Ireland’s best acting exports, Liam Neeson has gone from dramatic actor to leading man to action hero. Today we’re going to highlight Neeson’s Top 4 most iconic role, but before we do lets honorably mention some honorable mentions. Michael Collins in ‘Michael Collins,’ Ra’s al Ghul in ‘Batman Begins,’ Rob Roy in ‘Rob Roy,’ Daniel in ‘Love Actually,’ Alfred Kinsey in ‘Kinsey,’ & Zeus in ‘Wrath of the Titans.’

Bryan Mills in ‘Taken’- Perhaps the most iconic phone call in cinema history came from Liam Neeson is in his first outing as Bryan Mills. He would portray the role twice more in ‘Taken 2’ & ‘Taken 3.’ This poor guy always has something going on whether it’s his daughter getting kidnapped, his ex-wife getting kidnapped, or himself getting kidnapped. Luckily for him he has a very particular set of skills.

Qui-Gon Jinn in ‘Star Wars’- Neeson’s most blockbuster role came in 1999 when he was the top billed actor in ‘The Phantom Menace’ the first of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. In the film he plays a Jedi master who serves as the mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi & is the individual responsible for discovering Anakin Skywalker. Though his time is cut short (as is his body) in the Star Wars Universe it was referenced that he went on to become a Force Ghost, and we actually see this in the series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi.’

Aslan in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’- This role is tied with Bryan Mills as the role Neeson has done the most, having voiced the lion thrice. Aslan is perhaps the most direct reference to God/Jesus in pop culture, and few actors could have properly voiced a character with that gravitas like Neeson.

Oskar Schindler in ‘Schindler’s List’- Finally is Neeson’s Oscar-nominated role, as well as his breakthrough role. Originally a member of the Nazi party, Schindler goes onto save over 1,000 Jews by employing and eventually helping relocate them. Neeson brings the correct levity needed for a role like this & it is hands down the best acting performance of his career.