Liam Neeson Tries to Distance Himself From Pro-RFK Jr. Doc

TAKEN BY SURPRISE

The actor narrated an anti-vaccine documentary, but now says he does not oppose vaccines.

Liam Neeson’s narration on an anti-vaccine documentary is getting more attention than the Taken star may have expected, as he now argues his narration on the pro-Robert F. Kennedy Jr. film shouldn’t “be conflated with opposition to vaccines.”

That’s what the Oscar-nominated actor’s rep told the Important Context on Thursday, after the Substack reported on Neeson’s role in the doc, Plague of Corruption: 80 Years of Pharmaceutical Corruption Exposed. In the documentary film by Kennedy’s anti-vax organization, Children’s Health Defense, Neeson calls mRNA COVID vaccines “dangerous experiments.”

Robert Kennedy Jr. and Liam Neeson
Though he voiced an anti-vax documentary, Neeson’s rep says he is not anti-vaccine. Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Neeson’s rep argued in its statement that he “did not shape the film’s editorial content, and any questions about its claims or messaging should be directed to the producers.” They added, “We all recognize that corruption can exist within the pharmaceutical industry, but that should never be conflated with opposition to vaccines. Liam never has been, and is not, anti-vaccination. His extensive work with UNICEF underscores his long-held support for global immunization and public-health initiatives.”

However, the claims that the Taken star amplifies in the documentary are in direct opposition to the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which the Trump administration announced deep cuts to earlier this year. UNICEF helps vaccinate “almost half the world’s children,” according to its website.

vaccine bottle
UNICEF launched a new vaccination campaign for children at es-Seraya Sahra Hospital in Gaza City, Gaza in November. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

The documentary was released on November 16, and Neeson notably did not denounce the views expressed at the time—even as prominent anti-vaxxer Kent Heckenlively, who co-authored the book the film was based on, celebrated that Neeson is “on our side.”

In addition to classifying vaccines as “dangerous experiments,” Neeson also parrots MAGA talking points about government-mandated “lockdowns” during the height of the virus’s spread. “Thousands of lives were lost, not to the virus, but to the mental anguish brought on by these harsh restrictions,” he says.

“Those responsible” for the “corruption” behind the COVID vaccine’s mass-production, Neeson says, “continue to evade accountability.”

Liam Neeson
Neeson became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2011, and remains in the role. Cindy Ord/Getty Images for UNICEF

Neeson previously praised vaccinations as “a remarkable human success story” in 2022. And in comments made as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador that year, the actor said, “If you’ve ever been vaccinated, or vaccinated your children, then you are part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps all humanity safe.”