Liam Neeson is the sixth highest paid actor in Hollywood, earning an estimated $36 million last year alone.

The 61-year-old has reinvented himself as an action star and it has paid off in spades for the Ballymena native.

He has far outstripped younger Irish idols, like Colin Farrell and Michael Fassbender, when it comes to the silver screen paychecks.

The massive success of the “Taken” franchise and "The Lego Movie" last year cemented his place at the top as did his role in “Non-Stop."

Irish American Robert Downey Junior still heads the box office list, making $75 million last year.

Neeson has made the top six despite the huge personal tragedy of losing his wife Natasha in a skiing accident in 2009.

Despite that he has set himself a grueling work schedule and stars in several movies every year.

His dedication and willingness to work has certainly paid off.