February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Belfast-born actor admitted that he was feeling a little wobbly this week when he accepted his OBE (Order of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth II.
Neeson, who received his badge at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace, said that he had not been so nervous since he met Muhammad Ali 20 years ago. (Fans will recall that Liam is a former boxer, which accounts for his excitement at meeting the champ.)
“[I was] weak-kneed,” he said, after accepting the award.
In an amusing switch, the queen asked the actor why he was receiving the award. (One would think that one would know this oneself, wouldn’t one?)
“The queen asked me if the award was for theater or films,” recalled Liam.
“I said I thought it was for both. She said, ‘That’s nice’,” said Neeson.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Neeson, Natasha Richardson, couldn’t be on hand to share in her husband’s joy. The actress was at the couple’s home in New York, looking after their two sons. The Hollywood power couple weathered a tough time two years ago, when Neeson was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. He credits his wife with providing the “inspiration” to help him get better.
In the aftermath of his collision with a deer on a country road in Connecticut, “[Natasha] was there every minute, holding my hand,” said the Ballymena-born actor. The 6-foot-4 star’s multiple injuries included a broken pelvis, which made him fear that he’d never walk again. But he was determined to get back on his feet — literally — for the sake of his wife and two young sons.
Natasha’s devotion “was wonderful inspiration,” he said. To which the only response is, “Awwwww.”