Neeson is a surname of Irish origin. It is most commonly found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora in the United Kingdom and North America. The best known bearer is Liam Neeson (born 1952 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland), an actor whose career spans drama and action genres. He gained international prominence portraying Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List (1993) and has since appeared in a wide range of films, including the Taken series (2008–2014), The Grey (2011), and Love Actually (2003). In addition to live-action roles, Neeson played Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) and provided the voice of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and its sequels. His work has also encompassed stage performances and various charitable efforts. The surname Neeson remains most strongly associated with Ireland, but bearers are found in many countries through migration and diverse family histories.