Charming actor Liam Neeson is turning 60!

Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Neeson took up many career paths before becoming an action film hero, from a fork-lift operator for Guinness to a stint as an amateur boxer. He finally turned to acting in 1976 at a theater in Belfast, Ireland.

It was the 1993 film "Schindler's List" that gave Neeson his big break, at the age of 41. The film earned Neeson an Academy Award nomination. The actor has gone on to star in films such as "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace," "Taken," and "Battleship."

In 2009 Neeson was widowed when his wife Natasha Richardson died suddenly after a skiing accident. He told Esquire:

"I think I survived by running away some. Running away to work. Listen, I know how old I am and that I'm just a shoulder injury from losing roles like the one in 'Taken.' So I stay with the training, I stay with the work. It's easy enough to plan jobs, to plan a lot of work. That's effective."

In the same interview, he reflected on grief.

"But that's the weird thing about grief. You can't prepare for it. You think you're gonna cry and get it over with. You make those plans, but they never work."

At 60, Neeson has several movies lined up, including a role in the latest Batman film due to be out later this year. Neeson will play the villian Ra's Al Ghul in the highly anticipated "The Dark Knight Rises."

His career has proven age is just a number. His secret to staying young? He told Life Goes Strong: "If you live a healthy lifestyle then age doesn't matter."

Check out our slideshow below of one of our favorite Irishmen.

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  • Liam Neeson

    Liam Neeson arrives for the premiere of 'Battleship,' in 2012.

  • 'Wrath Of The Titans'

    Neeson at the premiere of "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646987/" target="_hplink">Wrath Of The Titans</a>" in 2012. Neeson portrayed Zeus in the film.

  • 2012

    Neeson attends the New York Times TimesTalk in 2012.

  • 'The Grey'

    Liam Neeson arrives to the premiere of "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1601913/" target="_hplink">The Grey</a>" in 2012.

  • 'War Of The Worlds'

    Neeson attends the press conference to announce the European Tour of Jeff Wayne's musical version of "War Of The Worlds New Generation" in 2011.

  • 2011

    Neeson poses for a portrait prior to the press conference to announce the 2012 European Tour of Jeff Wayne's musical version of "War Of The Worlds New Generation."

  • 'Schindler's List'

    Neeson portrayed Oskar Schindler in the 1993 film, which landed him an Oscar nomination, "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/" target="_hplink">Schindler's List</a>."

  • 'Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace'

    Neeson starred in the 1999 installment of the "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120915/" target="_hplink">Star Wars</a>" franchise.

  • 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'

    Neeson voiced Aslan in "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499448/" target="_hplink">The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian</a>" in 2008. The actor voiced the character in three of the "Narnia" films.

  • 'Taken'

    Neeson in the 2008 action film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/" target="_hplink">Taken</a>."

  • 'Unknown'

    Liam Neeson starred in the 2011 thriller "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401152/" target="_hplink">Unknown</a>."

  • 'Battleship'

    Neeson starred alongside Rihanna and Taylor Kitsch in the 2012 film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440129/" target="_hplink">Battleship</a>."