Jonathan Ross was completely taken aback after learning the real age of Liam Neeson on his show last night.
The Irish actor - star of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Taken, and Batman Begins, to name just a few - appeared alongside Ross on Saturday (18 March) to talk about his career, as well touching upon one of the most tragic incidents in his life - the death of his wife Natasha Richardson.
Before that, Ross remarked that the actor is looking remarkably youthful, as he clearly hadn’t Googled Neeson’s age as part of his research.
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Speaking to the audience, he said: "You will not believe this, Liam Neeson is 70."
Yup, he’s 70-years-of age.
To be fair, he does look in seriously good nick.
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Neeson was sitting on the show alongside The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, as well as Unforgivable host Mel Giedroyc and Taskmaster star and comedian Munya Chawawa, prompting Ross to joke: "It looks like you and Bella were in the same class at school!"
There’s about 50 years between the pair, but his point stands, Neeson is looking well for a man of his age.
Viewers of the show seemed to agree with Ross’ assessment.
One wrote: “70 god damn!”
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Another said: “Liam Neeson is 70!?!?!?!?!?”
Apparently, the secret to his youthful looks is power-walking, which he has been doing for 15 or 16 years. However, even an exercise as seemingly innocuous as that can come with problems.
For example, a woman he walked with was married and Neeson considered the idea that her husband might get the wrong end of the stick.
He told the husband: "Amy and I are not having an affair."
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Ross asked: “Did he believe you?”
Neeson said: “I think he did. It was the truth.”
Well, he does have a particular set of skills, so maybe just take him at his word.
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Then, the conversation turned to his personal life, specifically one horrible incident back in 2009 when his wife - Parent Trap star Natasha Richardson - died after suffering an horrific brain injury while skiing.
Neeson recalled a moment at her side when he knew she was gone.
He remembered: “I went in to her and told her I loved her.
“[I] said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this.
“You’ve banged your head. It’s - I don’t know if you can hear me, but that’s - this is what’s gone down.
“And we’re bringing you back to New York. All your family and friends will come'.
“And that was it more or less it.”
Since then, Neeson hasn’t been in any real long-term relationships.
Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity
Tom Wood