The 2014 film A Million Ways to Die in the West, a comedy directed by and starring Seth MacFarlane, brought a fresh, humorous take on the Western genre. It follows the timid Albert Stark, who musters courage after falling for a gunslinger named Anna, played by Charlize Theron, provoking the wrath of her outlaw husband Clinch Leatherwood, portrayed by Liam Neeson. This unexpected comedic role for Neeson, known primarily for intense and dramatic parts, may never have come to fruition without a 2006 joke from MacFarlane’s animated series Family Guy, which poked fun at Neeson’s ability to play an American cowboy.
The Family Guy Joke That Led to Neeson’s Role
In Family Guy’s season five, episode six, titled Prick Up Your Ears, Liam Neeson was the target of a cutaway gag that suggested his lack of authenticity when playing an American cowboy. Peter Griffin quips,
“Without my advice, those kids are going to be as hopeless as Liam Neeson when he tries to play an American cowboy,”
followed by a scene where Neeson’s character attempts to sound convincingly Western. This likely referenced Neeson’s role in the Western film Seraphim Falls, released shortly before the episode aired.
Years later, MacFarlane invited Neeson to join A Million Ways to Die in the West. Neeson, aware of the Family Guy joke thanks to his sons, agreed to the role but insisted on retaining his Irish accent. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he explained,
“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.’”
Seth MacFarlane accepted this condition, resulting in Neeson’s distinctive portrayal of the film’s villain.
Revealing Liam Neeson’s Comedic Talent in a Western Setting
Before this, Liam Neeson was rarely seen in comedic roles, aside from a cameo in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. He gained acclaim as a prestige actor in dramatic films like Schindler’s List and sci-fi franchises such as Star Wars, and later became synonymous with vengeful action heroes following the success of Taken in 2008. The year 2014 marked the height of his action career, releasing several thrillers. Within that landscape, A Million Ways to Die in the West allowed Neeson to display his skill in deadpan comedy.
As Clinch Leatherwood, Neeson provided a menacing presence opposite MacFarlane’s cowardly protagonist but also showed a comedic vulnerability. For instance, in a memorable scene, his character is duped by his wife Anna, leading to a humorous moment where Neeson’s tough facade is undercut by a slapstick gag involving a flower placed between his bare buttocks. This performance highlighted Neeson’s willingness to embrace humor at his own expense, diverging from his usual intense roles and opening a new facet of his acting repertoire.
Ongoing Creative Partnership Between Neeson and MacFarlane
A Million Ways to Die in the West moderately succeeded at the box office, but more notably, it marked the start of several collaborations between Liam Neeson and Seth MacFarlane. After being lampooned on Family Guy, Neeson made a guest appearance as himself in the show’s 2015 season 13 episode titled Fighting Irish. This episode revolves around Peter Griffin claiming he could beat Neeson in a fight, prompting the actor to show up and challenge him.
Neeson also featured in MacFarlane’s comedy sequel Ted 2, parodying his intense on-screen persona in a small role as a grocery store customer seeking cereal. Additionally, he guest-starred in MacFarlane’s live-action sci-fi comedy series The Orville as a starship captain. Most prominently, MacFarlane produced the 2023 reboot of The Naked Gun, where Neeson took on the lead role of Frank Drebin Jr., originally made famous by Leslie Nielsen. This gave Neeson a central position in a comedy franchise, allowing him to blend physical gags and sharp humor, which both audiences and critics appreciated.
The Broader Impact of Neeson’s Western Villain Role
The journey from a Family Guy joke to a notable role as a Western villain reflects Liam Neeson’s evolution as an actor willing to cross genre boundaries and embrace humor. A Million Ways to Die in the West not only introduced audiences to Neeson’s comedic abilities but also strengthened his partnership with Seth MacFarlane, leading to multiple subsequent collaborations. This career shift enriches Neeson’s diverse body of work, offering a fresh perspective on an actor best known for drama and action roles.
For viewers interested in seeing this lighter side of Neeson, A Million Ways to Die in the West is available for purchase or rental on video-on-demand platforms across the U.S.
