Liam Neeson, 74, Credits Daily Walks for Action Movie Fitness
The "The Mongoose" star explains he doesn't need a gym to stay in shape for his physically demanding roles.
Liam Neeson, 74, has revealed that he does not frequent a gym to maintain his physique for action-packed movie roles. The actor, who stars in the recently released film "The Mongoose," stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that he stays in shape through a consistent fitness routine that includes daily walks.
"No, I don't go to a gym at all, but it behooves me, any actor or actress playing a lead, it behooves you to have a level of fitness," Neeson said. "You don't have to spend two hours in the gym every day. I used to, many years ago, but I keep reasonably fit."
Neeson noted that maintaining a general level of fitness year-round allows him to prepare for the physical demands of his roles. "If I read a script, or Mark [Vanselow, director of ‘The Mongoose’] sends me a script and there's physical action sequences, I like doing my own fights. I can still do them up to a point," he explained. "If there's physical stuff like that then, I'll increase my physical workout activity a little bit."
The most significant adjustment Neeson has made to his fitness regimen as he has aged is the incorporation of daily walks. "I think, just generally the importance of it. Should it just be a walk every day — you know what I mean? And you know, I'm so lucky. I'm 74 years of age, and I'm so lucky to occasionally still get offered this type of role," Neeson said, referencing his latest film.
"The Mongoose" premiered in theaters on October 30. Mark Vanselow, the film's director and Neeson's former stunt double of nearly 30 years, praised the actor's dedication. "As far as the amount of training it requires and the time you put in," Vanselow said, "And then being willing to be flexible in that and try to create something new all the time, which is, you, I think what we're both trying to do with some of this action, but in movies in general."
This project marks the 30th collaboration between Vanselow and Neeson, and the first for Vanselow as director. Vanselow added that Neeson's acting talent is a key factor in drawing audiences to his films.