Liam Neeson made his first appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show back in 2004, and it was an episode to remember. The Academy Award-nominated actor, known for his roles in films like Schindler’s List and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, was greeted by thunderous applause as he took the stage.
Host Ellen Degeneres kicked off the interview by complimenting Neeson’s choice of outfit, to which he jokingly replied, “Bad choice of color, right?” But he quickly dismissed that comment, admitting that he actually liked the outfit. Neeson and Degeneres continued to exchange playful banter throughout the interview, keeping the energy high and the audience entertained.
One of the highlights of the conversation was Neeson’s knack for accents, particularly his Irish accent. Degeneres playfully challenged him to do the entire interview in his Irish accent, to which Neeson gladly obliged. He then went on to explain the difference between Scottish and Irish accents, revealing that he actually comes from the northeast of Ireland, where they have their own unique accent.
As the interview progressed, Neeson shared his experience of having to lose his accent for movie roles. He admitted that it was not an easy task and required constant work with a dialect coach. However, he revealed that he prefers to leave the character behind at the end of the day, comparing it to hanging a coat behind the door. The audience gained insight into his dedication and craft as an actor.
But it wasn’t all serious talk. Neeson shared a quirky habit with the audience – he loves chewing toothpicks. In fact, he even brought his own toothpicks, which he demonstrated to the audience. Ellen humorously suggested that he should have a classy case for his toothpicks, to which Neeson jokingly replied that he sometimes receives tricky-to-open gifts but prefers something simple and easy.
The conversation then took a heartwarming turn as Neeson talked about his wife, Natasha Richardson. He shared a beautiful picture of them together and revealed that she was away in Shanghai, filming a movie. Despite the distance, they have been happily married for 10 years and have managed to find a balance between their careers and family.
Towards the end of the interview, Neeson discussed his critically acclaimed film, Kenzie, which was already garnering Oscar buzz. He thanked Degeneres for her praise and admitted that he hadn’t known much about the movie until he saw it himself. Neeson also touched on the topic of sex education, revealing that he grew up in a very traditional Irish Catholic background where sex was never openly discussed. He joked that he learned about it from crude drawings on bathroom walls.
Overall, Liam Neeson‘s first appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2004 was a delightful and entertaining experience. The actor showcased his playful side, shared personal anecdotes, and engaged in lively banter with the host. The audience was left wanting more of Neeson’s charm and wit throughout the interview.
Originally aired on December 7, 2004
