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!

Masterchef contestant was immediately removed from show after dish she served judges

Warning: This article contains images of a dead animal some readers may find distressing.

A Masterchef contestant was immediately removed from the show after serving up the judges a questionable dish that had them spitting feathers – literally.

Oh, Masterchef.

There’s nothing better than watching over confident contestants talk themselves up on the VT – only to have them produce an absolute abomination of the dish that the judges’ waste no time in ripping into.

We all like to sit on our sofas, Goggleboxing and declaring that we could do better.

Although this time, most of us probably could because anything would be better than what one contestant served up on Masterchef Espãna.

Saray Carrillo served up a questionable dish. (Masterchef Espana / YouTube)

Sometimes when you’re cooking, not every job is pleasant, and if you want to serve up something that looks delicious and inviting, sometimes you have to get a little bit dirty.

And that’s something this contestant had no plans of doing.

In 2020, Saray Carrillo, 27, was mortified by one of the challenges where she had to pluck and cook a whole partridge.

Unless you’re vegan or vegetarian, cutting up poultry is pretty standard cooking practice, but Carrillo apparently expressed her fear of having to do such a task and took the challenge as a personal attack.

Defiantly, she decided to serve the bird, unplucked, uncooked and unappetising, garnished on a bed of spring onions, some kind of sauce and garnished with a couple of cherry tomatoes.

Take a look:

Umm, yeah. (Masterchef Espana / YouTube)

I think it’s hilarious, but the judges certainly didn’t think so – the only way to describe the look on their faces is ‘p*ssed’.

This was only exasperated more when Carrillo approached the bench with a cheeky smirk on her face, whilst the rest of the contestants looked on in horror by the dish she was presenting.

One judge said something in Spanish that translated to: “This is never seen in MasterChef.”

The judges, rightly so, grilled Carrillo and were not exactly sad to see the back of her.

As she plonked her apron down on the bench and strutted out of the Masterchef kitchen, the judges watched her leave with faces like a slapped a**.

The clip was from a season that aired in 2020 and went viral at the time, and has since been viewed 7.4 million times on YouTube.Play

People were quick to mock the episode on social media.

One YouTube user wrote: “HOW DISGUSTING GOD, I really can’t handle cherry tomatoes.”

Someone else saw fit to quote TV Chef legend Gordon Ramsay saying: “IT’S SO RAW THAT IT CAN STILL FLY!”

While another brutally said: “It is tragic that a person like this is a social educator when in reality she is yet to be civilized.”

I wonder what John and Greg would have made of all this?