Unless you’ve been abducted by aliens recently, you’re probably aware that “Star Wars: Episode 1 - Phantom Menace” is breaking every box office record it encounters. The role of Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn is sure to catapult Liam’s fame to new heights. Surpassing even the international accolades and Academy Award nomination he received for “Schindler’s List”.

It’s not hard to picture Liam Neeson in a boxing ring. His six-foot-four-inch frame still supports the highly muscled physique that made him Northern Ireland’s teenage boxing champion. He began taking boxing lessons at the age of nine and it wasn’t long before he encountered a broken nose in the ring. The injury was handled without a doctor; his trainer reset the bone himself on the spot. The mishap didn’t deter the young man and soon he began boxing on the amateur competitive level.

By the time Neeson reached his late teens, the ring no longer held the appeal it once had and he turned his attention to scholastics. He attended the University of Belfast to study physics and computer science. Unfortunately his heart wasn’t in his studies and he eventually flunked out. He then worked as a forklift driver at the Guinness brewery but felt obligated to receive a diploma and please his parents. He enrolled in school once again. This time for a teaching degree. The drama classes he took while following the education track were too distracting, though, and two years later he again quite school, effectively ending his academic career once and for all.

Neeson decided to try his hand at acting. He landed a role in a production of “The Risen People” staged at the prestigious Lyric Players’ Theatre. The role launched two years of steady work for him. He relocated to Dublin and began work at the renowned Abbey Theatre. Within a year he made his film debut in an educational film for Irish Bible students. He played the lead - Jesus Christ.

Though Neeson worked steadily in a succession of supporting assignments his big break came when he was cast by Steven Spieldberg as Oscar Schindler in “Schindler’s List”. The film was hailed an important piece of filmmaking, and the film, its director and star all received Academy Award nominations. Although the film scored the Best Picture Oscar and Spielberg took the Best Director prize, Neeson had to settle for a nomination for the coveted Best Actor award. Schindler’s List, however, did make Neeson a much sought after commodity in tinsel town, even without an Oscar.

His next film was in 1994’s “Nell” costarring his wife, Natasha Richardson, and Jodie Foster. His next role was in “Rob Roy”, a historical epic based on the florid Sir Walter Scott novel. Both movies were well received by critics and movie goers alike. Other films Neeson has starred in are “The Crying Game”and “Before and After” opposite Meryl Streep.

Neeson’s already august industry profile soared even higher after his role of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in director George Lucas’ incredibly anticipated Star Wars prequel “The Phantom Menace”. The image of pugilist toughness is allayed well by Neeson’s face - his good looks, although undeniably rooted in the ruggedness of his features, is tempered by a distinctly sensitive cast to the eyes and mouth. The impression that is made is a man who could throw a solid blow if need be, but would likely help the recipient of the punch up off the floor and may even buy him a pint as well.