Liam Neeson Was Cast in ‘Schindler’s List’ After Hugging Steven Spielberg’s Mother in Law While ‘Practically Naked’
Actor Liam Neeson has led a successful career thanks to his memorable filmography and roles. One of his most successful movies is the Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List directed by Steven Spielberg.
Many factors led to Neeson nabbing the role of a lifetime. But perhaps what really convinced Spielberg to cast Neeson in the film was an encounter the actor had with Spielberg’s mother-in-law. Neeson recalled a moment where he was almost naked, and he went in to give Spielberg’s wife’s mother a hug. This odd encounter might have set up Neeson to star in Spielberg’s iconic movie.
Liam Neeson felt ‘unworthy’ being cast in ‘Schindler’s List’
The early 90s were important years for the Taken star, both personally and professionally. Professionally, his career was on the rise, and it seemed it would rise even higher after Spielberg cast him in his Schindler’s List. However, despite being cast, a part of Neeson didn’t feel like he truly belonged in the film.
“There was a lot of stuff going on. I was falling in love with my wife, who has passed away,” Neeson said at the Tribecca Film Festival (via UPI). “Even though Steven had cast me in this, I really did feel unworthy.”
When it was time to start filming in Poland, Neeson admitted that his nerves only grew.
“On Wednesday morning, incredibly early, we were at the gates of Auschwitz,” he recalled. “Freezing cold. Trains. Guard dogs that weren’t acting, of course. German actors. The whole shebang and Steven pacing up and down, very nervous. Everyone on tinder hooks.”
It got to the point where Neeson’s “knees were literally shaking” when it came time to film his first scene.
How Liam Neeson hugging Steven Spielberg’s mother-in-law while Neeson was ‘practically naked’ got him cast in ‘Schindler’s List’
When he auditioned for the role of Oscar Schindler, Neeson didn’t think he got the part. According to Contact Music, he was so sure he bombed his audition that he didn’t bother to wait for Spielberg to call him back. Instead, he signed up for a broadway play where he’d be acting opposite of his late wife Natasha Richardson. Because of the play’s great reviews, Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, would go see the play themselves.
Eventually, Spielberg, along with his wife and mother-in-law, would have a personal chat with the Star Wars star.
“They came backstage and there was a knock on the door and I was practically naked and it was Steven and Kate and Kate’s mum, and Kate’s mother was quite tearful and emotional, and, as naked as I was, I went over and gave her a big hug,” Neeson said on Inside the Actor’s Studio.
Some time afterward, Neeson would claim the role of Oscar Schindler. Spielberg would later inform Neeson that his interaction with his mother-in-law played a hand in getting him the part.
“About a week after that Steven called me and he said, ‘Do you want to be Oscar Schindler?’ Kate apparently said to Steven on the way home that when I hugged her mum that’s just what Oscar Schindler would have done,” he added.
Robin Williams would perform stand-up for Steven Spielberg over the phone to cheer Spielberg up
Directing Schindler’s List was an emotionally taxing endeavor for the Oscar-winning director. His friend, Robin Williams, was well aware of how difficult directing the movie could be. So Williams took it upon himself to help cheer the director up by calling him once a week.
“Robin knew what I was going through,” Spielberg said at the Tribecca Film Festival (via VanityFair). “He would do 15 minutes of stand-up on the phone. I would laugh hysterically . . . he’d always hang up on you on the loudest, best laugh you’d give him. Drops the mic, that’s it.”
