Previously, the Ballymena native was noted for his roles in a number of critically praised historical plays.
Neeson has been categorized as a serious actor rather than an out-and-out action star in films such as Michael Collins, Rob Roy, and Schindler’s List.
However, according to one narrative from Neeson’s youth, the Northern Irishman has always been a bit of a wildcard.
It takes place in the 1970s, before Neeson chose to pursue a career in acting, and while he was instead pursuing a job as a teacher.
Neeson allegedly began his career as a teacher in Newcastle.
He was sent to St Mary’s College in Fenham, which has since closed its doors.
Given the state of affairs, it’s probably just as well for Neeson.
In a recently uncovered interview, Liam Neeson discussed his “worst day” as a teacher, the day he was fired for hitting a student.
According to Neeson, he quickly chose to pursue a completely different professional route, joining the Belfast Lyric Players’ Theatre in 1976 and charting a new course.
According to reports, the incident occurred at an undisclosed school where Neeson was doing a placement and receiving his fair share of grief from the rowdy youngsters.
But one in particular stayed with him – the one he hit.
However, there were certain extenuating circumstances.
For starters, the boy was wielding a weapon.
“He was a big guy too, about 15 years of age,”” Neeson recalls.
“I had to punch him and then I was reprimanded for hitting the kid.”
He added: “There were always discipline problems, getting them to settle down before you can start to teach them.”
“This particular kid did not want to settle down, he wanted to disrupt the whole class.
“So I went over to him and asked him to leave the classroom and stand outside.
“The next thing he pulled a knife on me.
“My reaction was to punch him, which I shouldn’t have done but I felt threatened.”
Neeson has never hidden his respect for educators.
It’s also worth mentioning that his two sisters have been teachers for many years.
