Liam Neeson, the acclaimed star of Absolution and Oscar-nominated actor, has decided to close the chapter on dating at the age of 72. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Neeson candidly discussed his personal life, career, and thoughts on dating, stating, “No, in a word. I’m past all that.”
The beloved Love Actually star has had his share of high-profile relationships, including a 15-year marriage to actress Natasha Richardson, who tragically passed away in 2009. Neeson later dated public relations executive Freya St. Johnston for two years before ending their relationship. Before marrying Richardson, Neeson was romantically linked with notable figures like Barbra Streisand, Brooke Shields, and Helen Mirren, his co-star in the 1981 film Excalibur.
Reflecting on his relationship with Mirren, Neeson shared a memorable moment from the set of Excalibur with costar Ciarán Hinds, recalling the first time they saw Mirren in costume as Morgana Le Fey. “I was smitten,” Neeson revealed during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show. He continued to speak fondly of their four-year relationship, reminiscing about a trip to Southwest France, where they experienced a mix of awe and discomfort while witnessing a bullfight.
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Despite his history of romance, Neeson’s focus is now on his family and career. He remains close to his two sons, Micheál, 29, and Daniel, 28, whom he had with Richardson. Micheál is following in his father’s acting footsteps, while Daniel has ventured into entrepreneurship with his own tequila brand, De-Nada. The family resides in New York, where they frequently spend time together, enjoying movies, TV shows, and simple activities like fly-fishing.
Neeson also cherishes his alone time, finding solace in reading, especially mysteries by Patricia Cornwell and Nordic noir novels. The actor often takes breaks between filming projects, allowing himself time to unwind and reflect on his life. “I’m incredibly lucky,” he said, expressing gratitude for his career and the opportunities he’s had.
Though he may be stepping back from the dating scene, Neeson remains active in his professional life. He stars in the upcoming drama Absolution, which hits theaters on November 1, and is also set to appear in a reboot of The Naked Gun franchise.
Liam Neeson’s journey has been filled with love, loss, and success, and at 72, he seems content with where life has taken him. His story serves as a reminder to appreciate the moments, whether big or small, and to find peace in simplicity.
Absolution is in theaters November 1.
