from Action Films

Over nearly five decades in Hollywood, Liam Neeson has played some of the screen’s most memorable characters—from a wise Jedi Master to a compassionate hero in dark times, a grieving widower, and, most famously, a relentless father in Taken that propelled him to action stardom.

Now, at 72, Neeson is contemplating retirement from action films, admitting he’s unsure if he can keep up with the intense physical demands. “It has to end at some point,” he shared, hinting that his days of throwing punches may be winding down.

Liam Neeson’s illustrious career has spanned a variety of genres, highlighting his versatility. The Irish actor first rose to fame in the early 1990s with his acclaimed portrayal of Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List, earning him widespread recognition and award nominations.

Through the following years, Neeson built a diverse portfolio, from romantic dramas to his turn as a Jedi Master in Star Wars. But in 2008, he reinvented himself as an action hero with Taken, where his character’s “very special set of skills” became instantly iconic. This shift surprised fans of Love Actually, who saw him transition into high-stakes thrillers in his mid-50s, proving his appeal across film genres.

Taken became a blockbuster, and Neeson’s portrayal of Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent determined to save his kidnapped daughter, deeply resonated with audiences. “It just seemed to have touched something in the psychic nerve of moviegoing audiences,” he told People in an October 2024 interview.

The character of Mills became an iconic action role, with Neeson’s famous phone threat solidifying him as an unlikely but compelling action hero. The success of Taken led to two sequels and a host of other action roles, making Neeson a trusted name in the genre.

Hans Petter Moland, who directed Neeson in Cold Pursuit (2019) and the upcoming Thug, noted Neeson’s unique intensity. “When he’s deeply in character, you can see the hurt and pain. He really becomes that person,” Moland said.

Despite his successful action career, Neeson has shared that he’s considering stepping back due to his age. Even at 72, he continues to do many of his own stunts, working closely with his longtime stunt double, Mark Vanselow, who has coordinated his stunts since Taken. Neeson has maintained, “You can’t fool audiences. I don’t want Mark to be doing my fight scenes.”

The Oscar-nominated actor reflected, “Maybe by the end of next year. I think that’s it.” But Neeson isn’t saying goodbye to acting altogether—he’s simply changing lanes.

In a surprising turn, he’s ready to take on comedy. Neeson recently wrapped filming on The Naked Gun, a remake of the 1988 comedic crime classic. In the 2025 film, Neeson will play the beloved detective Frank Drebin, originally portrayed by Leslie Nielsen, with Baywatch star Pamela Anderson as his co-star.

“I’m totally smitten with her. I can’t say enough good things. She’s incredibly funny,” Neeson said, while admitting he’s nervous about comedy, saying, “I really don’t know if I can pull it off.” However, Anderson assured fans that he’s simply being modest. “It was hard to keep a straight face during our scenes together,” she told People.

What are your thoughts on Liam Neeson’s decision to step back from action roles? Let us know, and share this story to hear from other fans!

A father sparks an online debate after rocking his daughter’s head for 45 minutes to help her sleep during a flight

These days, it’s not unusual to see people debating various topics on the internet.

It could be argued that it was unavoidable, as gathering millions of people in one location and allowing them the liberty to voice any opinion, no matter how diametrically opposed, would inevitably lead to spirited discussions.

Although contentious images and films are becoming commonplace on the internet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing when they occur. We have discussed a lot of these subjects here at Newsner in the past. We thought it would be worthwhile to share the image of a father and his sleeping daughter on an airplane that had garnered a lot of comments.

The argument started when Reddit user u/therra123 posted a picture of a father and daughter cuddling on the r/MadeMeSmile discussion thread.

An image of a girl curled up in her aisle seat on a flight was submitted by the user. Her father had put his palm under her cheek, preventing her from resting her head on the armrest, which, as anyone who has ever used one will tell you, is a rather crude and merciless pillow.

“This man held his hand in this position for 45 minutes so his daughter could sleep well,” says the caption for the image on Reddit.

We have to say at this point that, in our judgment, this is just a father going about his business. Although the message was appropriately dubbed “heartwarming moments,” some Redditors didn’t agree.

The father was harshly criticized for his behavior; some people just said that he should have done a better job.

With thousands of comments and almost 60,000 votes, the post became viral immediately. Reactions included things like:

“I think there must be a better way to handle this.”

“Don’t you have your blanket?” said another. Bringing a blanket is the most crucial item to remember.

“This demonstrates a clear lack of creativity in problem-solving,” said a third person. forty-five minutes and you were unable to come up with a workable answer. Hey!

A fourth person wrote, “Seriously. Simply roll up a hoodie to create an instant pillow. Alternatively, here’s an absurd suggestion: ask a flight attendant for a cushion and blanket.

However, other people showed the father and his gesture more tolerance. Interestingly, we also find ourselves in this category!

How about you? Did you find it inappropriate that the father used this flight to serve as his daughter’s makeshift pillow? Let us know how you feel by leaving a comment.