Liam Neeson film premiere cancelled amid 'racist' controversy

The Associated Press</span>
Published Tuesday, February 5, 2019 10:04AM EST
Last Updated Tuesday, February 5, 2019 3:54PM EST

NEW YORK - The Latest on fallout from comments Liam Neeson made about wanting to kill a black person after a friend of his was raped nearly four decades ago (all times local):

12:20 p.m.

The premiere of Liam Neeson's newest film has been abruptly cancelled amid fallout from the actor's comments about decades-old thoughts he had about killing a black person.

Organizers of the New York premiere of "Cold Pursuit" informed reporters of the cancellation Tuesday afternoon, a couple hours before it was supposed to start.

The cancellation comes hours after Neeson appeared on "Good Morning America" to address his comments, telling interviewer Robin Roberts that he is not a racist. He was quoted in an interview by the Independent on Monday describing his violent thoughts about killing a black person nearly 40 years ago after learning that someone close to him had been raped.

The actor told Roberts discussion talk about these things is needed because bigotry and racism exist.

This is a breaking news update.See earlier story below.

---

NEW YORK -- Liam Neeson says violence breeds violence and bigotry breeds bigotry.

The 66-year-old actor appeared Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America," one day after he told an interviewer that he had violent thoughts about killing a black person after learning nearly 40 years ago that someone close to him had been raped.

Neeson says he had asked about the race of the attacker, along with other descriptive characteristics.

He says he had a "primal urge to lash out" before he was shocked by his reaction and sought help from a priest and friends.

Neeson says he's not a racist.

The actor says we need to talk about these things because bigotry and racism exist.

Neeson was promoting his new thriller, "Cold Pursuit."

Let's block ads! (Why?)