Liam Neeson, 72, Declares He’s Done with Dating and Action Roles 15 Years After Wife’s Death

Liam Neeson Has Closed the Door on Dating and Action Roles at 72

Hollywood veteran Liam Neeson has made headlines again, revealing he’s given up on dating at the age of 72. This decision comes 15 years after the tragic death of his wife, Natasha Richardson, in a skiing accident in 2009. The star of the action-packed Taken series shared with People that he is not currently seeing anyone, stating with clarity, “No, in a word. I’m past all that.”

The loss of his wife, who he was married to for 15 years, marked a turning point in Neeson’s life. His last relationship was a brief romance with British publicist Freya St. Johnston, which ended in 2012. He plans to navigate the remainder of his life single, reflecting on the profound impact of his early experiences of love and loss.

Looking back, Neeson spoke nostalgically about his past relationships, including those with stars like Barbra Streisand, Brooke Shields, and Helen Mirren, whom he dated during the 1980s. He recounted a fond memory of Mirren, expressing, “I remember being on the set… and we both went, ‘Oh wow.’ I was smitten.”

In addition to his personal life, Neeson is also stepping back from the high-octane action roles that defined his career. Acknowledging that he is “getting too old” for such physically demanding parts, he stated, “I’m 72 — it has to stop at some stage.” While he still performs many of his own fight scenes, he has enlisted stunt double Mark Vanselow for more intense stunts. He candidly shared, “You can’t fool audiences. I don’t want Mark to be fighting my fight scenes for me.”

Neeson hinted that he may formally retire from action movies by the end of next year, a move that marks a significant change in his long-standing career. Reflecting on what could have been, he revealed that he was once considered for the role of James Bond, a chance that took a backseat to his relationship with Richardson. She made it clear that if he took on the iconic role, it would jeopardize their plans to marry.

Ultimately, the role of 007 went to Pierce Brosnan, who made his debut in 1995’s GoldenEye. As he approaches this new chapter in his life, it’s evident that Liam Neeson is ready to embrace a different path, focusing on personal reflection rather than the romantic pursuits or adrenaline-fueled escapades of his earlier years.