Neeson was born on 7 June 1952 in Ballymena , County Antrim , the son of Katherine " Kitty " Neeson ( '' née '' Brown ) , a cook , and Bernard " Barney " Neeson , a caretaker at the Ballymena Boys All Saints Primary School . Raised Roman Catholic , he was named Liam after the local priest . The third of four siblings , he has three sisters : Elizabeth , Bernadette , and Rosaleen . Neeson said growing up as a Catholic in a predominantly Protestant town made him cautious , and once said he felt like a " second-class " citizen there , but has also said he was never made to feel " inferior or even different " at the town 's predominantly Protestant technical college . Neeson has described himself as out of touch with the politics and history of Northern Ireland until becoming aware of protests by fellow students after Bloody Sunday in 1972 , during the Troubles . That experience encouraged him to learn more local history . In a 2009 interview , Neeson said , " I never stop thinking about it the Troubles . I 've known guys and girls who have been perpetrators of violence and victims . Protestants and Catholics . It 's part of my DNA . " At age nine , Neeson began boxing lessons at the All Saints Youth Club , going on to win a number of regional titles before discontinuing at age 17 . He acted in school productions during his teens . Neeson 's interest in acting and decision to become an actor were also influenced by Ian Paisley , founder of the Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP ) , into whose Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster Neeson would sneak . Neeson has said of Paisley , " He had a magnificent presence and it was incredible to watch him just Bible-thumping away ... it was acting , but it was also great acting and stirring too . " In 1971 , Neeson was enrolled as a physics and computer science student at Queen 's University Belfast , before leaving to work for the Guinness Brewery . At Queen 's , he discovered a talent for football and was spotted by Seán Thomas at Bohemian FC . There was a club trial in Dublin , and Neeson played one game as a substitute against Shamrock Rovers FC but was not offered a contract
Bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday (1972)
Liam Neeson