Liam Neeson Apologizes for Racist Revenge Story: “I Was Wrong”

Nearly two months after the controversy first unfolded, Liam Neeson has issued an apology for telling a chilling, racist anecdote about wanting to attack a random black man after a friend of his was allegedly raped by a black assailant. In a statement to Variety, Neeson said that by telling the story in the first place, he “missed the point and hurt many people.”

“Over the last several weeks, I have reflected on and spoken to a variety of people who were hurt by my impulsive recounting of a brutal rape of a dear female friend nearly 40 years ago and my unacceptable thoughts and actions at that time in response to this crime,” Neeson said in a statement. “The horror of what happened to my friend ignited irrational thoughts that do not represent the person I am. In trying to explain those feelings today, I missed the point and hurt many people at a time when language is so often weaponized and an entire community of innocent people are targeted in acts of rage. What I failed to realize is that this is not about justifying my anger all those years ago, it is also about the impact my words have today. I was wrong to do what I did. I recognize that, although the comments I made do not reflect, in any way, my true feelings nor me, they were hurtful and divisive. I profoundly apologize.”

Neeson originally told the story in an interview with The Independent, drawing a comparison between himself and his character in the revenge thriller Cold Pursuit. While trying to explain why revenge doesnt work, he used an example from his own life: years ago, he said, a female friend of his was raped by a black man. When she told Neeson about the attack, he went out into the street, “hoping Id be approached by somebody—Im ashamed to say that—and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some [gesturing with air quotes] black bastard would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could . . . kill him.” Neeson ended the anecdote by saying that it took a week and a half to calm down.

The story immediately went viral after it was published, forcing Neeson to go on Good Morning America and clarify the situation.

“I did seek help,” the actor said. “I went to a priest that heard my confession . . . Two very, very good friends that I talked to. And, believe it or not, power walking. Two hours every day to get rid of this. Im not racist.”