71-year-old on-screen talent and Hollywood sensation Liam Neeson is generally known for being tall — standing at about 6 feet 4 inches. With such a stupendous stature, the Schindler’s List alum has had to go through several incidents where his otherwise magnificent height became a challenge; most of which he reflects upon with a lighthearted tone.
However, the various demands that the industry asks of actors and the constant rejection that ensues over physical features that they might possess are some of the factors that once almost pushed Neeson into wanting to keep his children away from the world of fame and glamor.
Regardless, the esteemed Taken actor has never been unwilling to be open and honest about the standards that take precedence within the industry. The Irish actor has had two specific incidents occur to him that precisely summarize the above statement. One such instance transports us back to the time when he was made to appear shorter in The Dead Pool, the 5th installment in the Dirty Harry franchise.
And the other was when the uber-enigmatic talent was rejected for a role in the popular film The Princess Bride and this time around, it was because he happened to be too short!
The Time Clint Eastwood Made Liam Neeson Look Short
Albeit having played a small role, Liam Neeson‘s experience while filming 1988’s Buddy Van Horn-directed The Dead Pool alongside lead actor of the film series, Clint Eastwood was nothing short of a memorable time. The two magnetic stars not only shared a fulfilling and enriching professional encounter, but they also happened to have the same height!
In an old interview with Tampa Bay Times, Neeson recalled the instance in the following manner:
“They actually put me down a couple of inches shorter than Clint. Where we were filmed side by side, he stood on curbs and the upside slopes of hills. Because he was the hero, I was made shorter. That galled me.”
The role that was embodied by the prestigious talent in the 1988 film was of a British horror film director named Peter Swan. This was one of the earliest roles of the charismatic star that earned him some level of prominence within Hollywood.
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This was not, however, where the escapades surrounding the Taken alum’s height stop. Neeson has many such incidents to fall back on. Among them, the most hilarious occurrence was when the esteemed Hollywood icon—the same man who was once made to look shorter than Clint Eastwood—was rejected for a role because he was not tall enough.
Liam Neeson Was Rejected For A Role In The Princess Bride
Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel on his show, the leading action star recounted a bizarre experience he had with the director of The Princess Bride, Rob Reiner. For the 1987 film, Neeson had a meeting with Reiner for the part of Fezzik, one of the major characters in the narrative; a role of a giant which was later depicted by French pro-wrestler André René Roussimoff or as better known by his ring name, André the Giant.
Liam Neeson emphasized that he was pretty anxious about getting the role as he knew that this was “a big film.” He remembers having met the casting directors in Los Angeles. However, his meeting with the American director was at an office in London.
Neeson lightheartedly elaborated on what happened next:
“I entered the office in London and Rob Reiner looked at me and said, “He’s not a giant! What height are you?” I said, “Six foot four.” “That’s not tall! He’s not a giant!” So there was no ‘Hello, thank you.’ So I thought, the next time I see Rob Reiner, I’m gonna tell him he was very rude.”
Recounting this humorous anecdote, the Taken superstar claimed that he has since forgiven the eminent director for having made the musical-comedy This Is Spinal Tap.
While in most of these instances, the actor looks back on these memories within a humorous, playful context, it is uber-evident and undeniable that Liam Neeson has had a lot to go through because of his astounding height.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live
