In 2014, the comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West brought a fresh, comedic twist to the Western genre. The film, directed by Seth MacFarlane, stars him as Albert Stark, a cowardly man facing the perils of the Old West. When he falls for gunslinger Anna, played by Charlize Theron, he draws the attention of her outlaw husband, Clinch Leatherwood, portrayed by Liam Neeson. Known for his intense roles, Neeson surprisingly fit seamlessly into this comedic world thanks to a prior connection to an episode of MacFarlane’s TV show, Family Guy. This connection was instrumental in securing his role as the film’s villain.
From Cartoon Tease to On-Screen Role: The Family Guy Sketch That Started It
Unlike many actors, Liam Neeson was drawn into a project partly because he had been the subject of good-natured mockery. In season five, episode six of Family Guy, titled Prick Up Your Ears, an animated cutaway gag poked fun at Neeson’s attempts to play an American cowboy. Peter Griffin, the show’s lead character, says,
“Without my advice, those kids are going to be as hopeless as Liam Neeson when he tries to play an American cowboy.”
This was followed by a scene showing a caricatured Neeson struggling to sound authentic, possibly referencing his earlier 2007 Western film Seraphim Falls, which had been released just months before the episode aired.
“Man, I don’t drop character ’till I done the DVD commentary.”
– Liam Neeson
Years later, when MacFarlane invited Neeson to join the cast of A Million Ways to Die in the West, the actor was well aware of the joke since his sons had told him about it. During an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Neeson recounted,
“When Seth called me up to ask would I do this film, I said ‘I’ll do it, on condition that I can use my own Irish accent.’”
MacFarlane agreed, allowing Neeson to retain his authentic voice while portraying the intimidating outlaw Clinch Leatherwood, which added a unique flavor to the film’s humorous tone.
Liam Neeson’s Surprising Turn to Comedy
Before A Million Ways to Die in the West, Liam Neeson was mostly known for intense roles in dramas and action thrillers, including his breakthrough in Schindler’s List and later his iconic performance in 2008’s Taken. That year marked his transformation into a tough action hero, frequently cast in revenge-driven parts. While 2014 saw him starring in several gritty movies like Non-Stop and Taken 3, his role in MacFarlane’s comedy was a notable departure. The film revealed a lighter side of Neeson that audiences had rarely seen.
As Clinch Leatherwood, Neeson’s character was primarily there to intimidate MacFarlane’s nervous protagonist, but he also delivered dry humor and physical comedy. One memorable scene features him being easily outwitted by his wife Anna, played by Charlize Theron, culminating in a humorous moment where he is knocked out with a flower left between his exposed buttocks. This role demonstrated Neeson’s willingness to poke fun at his own serious image, marking a shift in his career by embracing comedy alongside his traditionally solemn roles.
Developing a Longstanding Partnership Between MacFarlane and Neeson
While A Million Ways to Die in the West achieved moderate success at the box office, its importance extended beyond ticket sales by establishing a working relationship between Seth MacFarlane and Liam Neeson. Following his appearing in the 2014 film, Neeson reprised his on-screen persona in several subsequent projects with MacFarlane.
In 2015, Neeson lent his voice to himself in a Family Guy episode titled Fighting Irish, which humorously revolved around Peter Griffin bragging that he could take on the star, leading Neeson to challenge Peter to a fight. This cameo allowed Neeson to lean into the caricature created years earlier. He also appeared in MacFarlane’s follow-up comedy Ted 2, parodying his tough-guy image in a small role as a grocery store customer attempting to purchase cereal, adding to the film’s comedic atmosphere.
Moreover, Liam Neeson guest-starred in MacFarlane’s sci-fi comedy series The Orville as a starship captain, showing their collaboration extended into television as well. The partnership further solidified when MacFarlane produced the reboot of the classic comedy franchise The Naked Gun in 2023. Neeson stepped into the role of Frank Drebin Jr., originally played by Leslie Nielsen, bringing his blend of humor and charisma to the lead. This role placed Neeson at the forefront of comedy, earning favorable reviews and reconnecting audiences to the spirit of the original films.
How This Role Was a Turning Point in Neeson’s Career
The journey from a teasing joke on an animated show to starring as a Western villain and embracing comedic roles underscores a significant evolution in Liam Neeson’s career. A Million Ways to Die in the West offered a platform for him to unveil a previously unseen facet of his talent, broadening his appeal beyond the intense and gritty characters he usually portrayed.
This experience marked the start of an ongoing creative alliance with Seth MacFarlane, allowing Neeson to experiment with humor and parody while maintaining his signature intensity. For fans and critics alike, this transition added depth to his versatile portfolio and indicated a promising expansion of his career choices.
Currently, A Million Ways to Die in the West can be rented or purchased on various video-on-demand platforms across the U.S., making it accessible for viewers interested in examining this unique blend of comedy and Western themes featuring Liam Neeson in an unexpected light.
