Single Father Liam Neeson’s Oldest Son Is a ‘Handsome’ Actor Who Changed His Name to Honor His Late Mother

• Liam Neeson's oldest son honored his late mother by taking her last name.
• Micheál Richardson's father didn't want him to follow in his career footsteps, preferring he do something with his hands instead.
• Neeson's wife died suddenly at a young age, leaving him to raise two sons alone.

In late 2018, it was revealed that Liam Neeson's oldest son had chosen to drop his father's last name and use his late mother Natasha Richardson's instead. Richardson's actress mother, Vanessa Redgrave, confirmed this.

Redgrave explained that her grandchild, Micheál, didn't make the change to "avoid his father's fame." Instead, she said it was because he wished to hold his mother close to him.

Over the years, Neeson's fans have come to appreciate his son, now known as Micheál Richardson, especially his looks. For instance, in February 2016, a Twitter (now X) user noted how the celebrity's son "is gorgeously handsome." They weren't the only ones to praise him.

In July 2021, when a fan page of Neeson's on X shared a short Facebook clip promoting the actor's Netflix movie, "The Ice Road," one follower couldn't help but comment about the star's son.

The social media user revealed they'd seen the celebrity's "delicious" film, "Made in Italy," where he starred alongside Micheál, and described his son as a "great handsome guy."

In September 2023, another X user shared a picture of what looked like an adult Micheál at the Tribeca Film Festival. Someone commended him on his skills and looks, writing:

"Liam['s] Oldest So[n] Is Very Talented And Handsome."

Following in Neeson's footsteps wasn't something the actor wanted for Micheál. In a previous interview, when Micheál was still a teenager, the younger star revealed what his famous father asked him to be.

What Career Did Liam Ask Micheál to Take, and What Did the Latter's Fans Say about His Likeness to His Mother?

In 2015, a 19-year-old Micheál sat down for an interview and revealed how his father pleaded with him not to pursue acting as a career. He said Neeson asked him to be a "carpenter or something" instead." Ironically, years later, Neeson recommended Michael to star alongside him in the film, "Cold Pursuit."

In his teenage years, Micheál moved to London, where he later opened a fashion gallery, the Maison Mais Non, in Soho. He got help from his friends and family to make the gallery a reality.

The items in the store were a collaboration between four Savile Row tailors and the same number of Central Saint Martins graduates. Micheál even opted to be a model for the clothes despite being quite shy.

He explained how he didn't go after fashion but realized it was important because it showed who you are. He credited his mother for teaching him to dress how he felt or how he wanted. He recalled how she loved dressing up at any given chance and would wear "some pretty crazy stuff."

Micheál is Neeson's first-born son and has a younger brother, Daniel Neeson. His IMDb account says he's a member of the "extended Redgrave-Richardson-Nero-Wiltsie-Bevan-Neeson acting-directing-writing-producing-singing dynasty." This includes seventeen current and deceased members, over five generations. His acting credits include 2018's "Vox Lux."

In 2012, Liam discussed being a father to his sons, describing it as an "ongoing joy." The "Retribution" star also admitted that fatherhood came with a "joyful worry" as his sons were then 16 and 17. He also remembered it was Meryl Streep who told him he would always be a hostage to his children. To this, Neeson said:

"That's absolutely true; no matter what age they are, they're still going to be your little boy or your little girl. And you are a hostage to love."

In March 2021, Neeson and his oldest son Micheál appeared for a virtual interview on "The Graham Norton Show." The pair shared the story of the adorable moment when Micheál met R2D2 on the set of "Star Wars."

The duo's fans were pleased to see them together, with one person noting how Natasha's son has her "eyes." Commenting on a YouTube clip of the father and son's interview with Norton, a person expressed love for Micheál's parents who were "gorgeous" and made for each other.

The star shared how he and his wife had made a pact...

Another social media user shared how they could see "so much" of Micheál's mother in him while honoring the late actress, saying she was "beyond talented and so beautiful." Someone else wrote:

"He looks so much like his beautiful mother!"

Sadly, Neeson's wife died without seeing her children grow up. Over the years, her husband opened up about letting her go. Many years after her death, he revealed how he was still reeling from her passing.

How Did Natasha Richardson Die and What Did Liam Neeson Say about Losing Her?

Micheál was only 13 when his mother hit her head during a skiing vacation in Canada on March 16, 2009, and died at age 45. The incident happened at Quebec's Mont Tremblant resort on a beginner's slope known as Nansen.

Neeson recalled seeing the damning x-rays and Natasha being on life support, leaving him with the challenging task of telling her she wouldn't survive even though he wasn't sure she could hear him. The actor informed her he would return her to New York so she could be around her family and friends.

Neeson shared how he and his wife had made a pact that if either got into a vegetative state, the plug had to be pulled. Micheál's father also admitted that he mourned his wife's death and visited her grave regularly.