The Dark Side Of The Bunny: How Liam Neeson's Viral Easter Audition Paved The Way For A Major Comedy Comeback

The image of Liam Neeson as the Easter Bunny is likely not what you imagine. Instead of a fluffy, gentle creature, the legendary action star has repeatedly—and hilariously—auditioned for the role on television, transforming the holiday icon into a grim, gravel-voiced figure with a very particular set of skills. This bizarre, recurring comedic bit has become one of the most memorable and unexpected moments of his later career, perfectly leveraging his intense, brooding on-screen persona for maximum comedic effect.

As of December 2025, this viral sketch is more relevant than ever, serving as a strange, yet perfect, precursor to Neeson’s highly anticipated pivot back to full-blown comedy. The world now sees the man who voiced Aslan and hunted down kidnappers as a master of deadpan humor, a skill honed by delivering lines like "He's coming" while wearing a ridiculous set of bunny ears on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*.

Liam Neeson: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

William John Neeson, OBE, is a Northern Irish actor celebrated for his commanding presence and versatile roles across drama, action, and fantasy. Born on June 7, 1952, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Neeson initially pursued a career in teaching and even amateur boxing before dedicating himself to acting in the mid-1970s.

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His early career saw him tackle serious stage and screen roles, but his global breakout came with his Academy Award-nominated performance as Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 Holocaust drama, *Schindler's List*.

In the 21st century, Neeson redefined himself as an elite action star following the surprise success of 2008’s *Taken*, establishing his iconic persona as a man with a "very particular set of skills."

Key Biographical and Filmography Highlights:

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• Full Name: William John Neeson
• Born: June 7, 1952 (Ballymena, Northern Ireland)
• Notable Accolades: Nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.
• Breakthrough Role: Oskar Schindler in *Schindler's List* (1993).
• Iconic Voice Roles: Aslan in *The Chronicles of Narnia* film series and The Monster in *A Monster Calls*.
• Action Franchise: Bryan Mills in the *Taken* trilogy.
• Upcoming Project: The lead role of Frank Drebin in the *Naked Gun* reboot.

The Late Show Sketch: The Origin of the Action Bunny

The entire "Liam Neeson Easter Bunny" phenomenon stems from a recurring gag on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. The sketch capitalizes on the stark contrast between Neeson's established, serious, and often intense action hero image and the lighthearted, whimsical figure of the Easter Bunny.

In the initial segment, Neeson "auditions" for the role of the Easter Bunny, but his performance is anything but cheerful. He delivers classic Easter lines with the dramatic weight and menacing tone of a character from a psychological thriller or a gritty action film.

The humor is derived from Neeson’s deadpan commitment. He describes the Easter Bunny not as a distributor of chocolate eggs, but as a "freak of nature, a confused, grotesque monster."

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He takes the role incredibly seriously, treating the act of hiding eggs as a high-stakes military operation. One of the most quoted lines from the sketch, delivered in his signature low, threatening growl, is simply: "He's coming." This transforms a simple holiday figure into a terrifying, unstoppable force, an action-bunny hybrid that instantly went viral across social media platforms like YouTube and Reddit.

The segment is a masterclass in comedic juxtaposition, proving that Neeson possesses a rare talent for deadpan comedy—the ability to act completely serious in the most absurd circumstances.

From Taken to Drebin: The Easter Bunny’s Influence on Neeson’s Comedy Career

The enduring popularity of the *Late Show* Easter Bunny sketch has had a tangible influence on Liam Neeson’s career trajectory, providing clear evidence that he can successfully transition from serious drama and action to comedy. The sketch demonstrated a comedic range that Hollywood was quick to notice.

This deadpan delivery is the exact quality needed for the type of spoof comedy popularized by the classic *Naked Gun* franchise, originally starring the legendary Leslie Nielsen as the bumbling, yet sincere, detective Frank Drebin.

In a major career move, Neeson is set to star as Frank Drebin in the upcoming *Naked Gun* reboot. This casting choice is a direct result of his proven ability to maintain a straight face while surrounded by utter chaos and absurdity—a skill he perfected while auditioning for Peter Cottontail.

Industry insiders and co-stars have pointed to Neeson's surprising comedic chops. Actress Liza Koshy, who is also starring in the *Naked Gun* reboot, has praised Neeson's demeanor on set, calling him "a hoot" and highlighting his ability to be genuinely funny behind the scenes.

The Easter Bunny bit and the subsequent *Naked Gun* role solidify a new chapter for Neeson. He is moving beyond the "action star" label—which has included roles in *Non-Stop*, *The Commuter*, and *Cold Pursuit*—to embrace the mantle of a comedic actor who can anchor a major studio spoof film.

His ability to treat the ridiculous premise of a killer Easter Bunny with the same dramatic intensity as a kidnapping plot in *Taken* is precisely why he is the perfect choice to fill Leslie Nielsen's shoes. He brings a gravitas to the absurdity, ensuring the humor lands through the sheer force of his commitment.

The Legacy of Neeson's Unexpected Entities

Liam Neeson’s career is full of unexpected, yet iconic, entities that demonstrate his incredible range. He is not just Bryan Mills; he is the wise, majestic lion Aslan in *The Chronicles of Narnia* and the towering, compassionate Monster in *A Monster Calls*. Each role, whether serious or silly, is marked by his distinctive, powerful voice and imposing presence.

The "Liam Neeson Easter Bunny" is the ultimate meta-commentary on his own career. It’s a parody of his action persona, yet it simultaneously opened the door to his next major professional challenge—leading a beloved comedy franchise. It is a testament to the fact that even the most serious actors can find their greatest success in embracing the absurd.

For fans, the sketch remains a perennial favorite, resurfacing every Easter and whenever Neeson’s name is mentioned in connection with comedy. It’s a hilarious, dark, and utterly unique piece of viral content that has cemented Liam Neeson’s status not just as an action hero, but as a surprisingly brilliant comedic entity.