The death of Liam Neeson’s wife, Natasha Richardson, was a heartbreaking loss for him. Together, they had two sons, who are now his biggest source of comfort and a reminder of the woman he deeply loved.
The famous actor won over audiences with his powerful performances, including his role in the crime-comedy The Naked Gun, originally released in 1988. Now, the beloved film is making a return to screens, and that’s put Neeson back in the media spotlight.
Paramount recently released the trailer for the long-awaited reboot of the iconic film. This time, 72-year-old Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original character made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
The upcoming movie is directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Ted creator Seth MacFarlane. Neeson will star alongside Pamela Anderson and Danny Huston to carry on the legacy of the cult franchise.
Off-screen, Liam has built a strong, close bond with his sons, Micheál and Daniel. That bond grew even stronger after the tragic loss they all suffered when Natasha passed away in 2009. For Neeson, the boys have become his greatest joy and comfort.
“Being a dad is a constant joy. It’s always a joy—but it’s also a worry. No matter how old they get, they’ll always be your kids. And you’re a hostage to love,” he said in a 2012 interview.
Micheál Neeson
Liam and Natasha welcomed their first child, Micheál, in June 1995 in Dublin. Like his father, Micheál has appeared in films, including Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
“I watched all their movies, but when I was five, it was kind of traumatic seeing my dad get cut in half by a lightsaber, blown up in an explosion, or kissing someone else,” Micheál said during a 2021 interview on The Graham Norton Show.
At first, Micheál was interested in the fashion industry, but he eventually turned to acting.
He has openly talked about the loss of his mother, even though he was only 13 at the time of her passing. “In my mind, I either blocked it out or pushed it deep down. A week after she died, I told myself, ‘Okay, time to move on,’” he said in a 2015 interview.
“When you lose someone so close, sometimes you just block it out because thinking about them hurts too much. But I realized that’s not healthy. You need to remember them,” he told People magazine in 2020.
Daniel Neeson
Daniel was born in New York in August 1996. He graduated from Tulane University in 2019 with a degree in theatre and digital media production. Like his older brother, Daniel first explored fashion and even started an eco-friendly clothing line called Pine Outfitters in 2017.
But fashion wasn’t always Daniel’s dream. In an interview with People, he said it was probably the “last industry” he thought he’d enter.
“I was really into sports. I loved playing hockey, football, tennis, and soccer. I always wanted to be a producer in the entertainment industry—or a hockey player, or something like that.”
Unlike his brother, Daniel doesn’t speak publicly about his mother’s death often. However, on the 15th anniversary of Natasha’s passing in March last year, he shared an emotional message on Instagram.
“I look forward to reuniting one day, but for now, I find comfort knowing you’re by my side every step of the way. I hope I’m making you proud. I think you’d definitely be proud of my skills. As a kid, I once asked her for a sip of her margarita, but she didn’t let me. I know that one day I’ll launch my own tequila brand and have way too many margaritas within reach.”
