Award winning actor Liam Neeson has endorsed Christine Quinn’s mayoral bid to become to the first female, openly gay leader of New York City.

The ‘Taken’ star has backed Quinn for office ahead of the Big Apple's mayoral election in November.

Voicing his support for the Irish American candidate the Ballymena actor said, "I am proud to endorse Chris Quinn to be our next mayor.

“I was an amateur boxer before I was an actor - and I know a good fighter when I see one. No one will work harder than Chris Quinn for New Yorkers who need a fierce advocate in City Hall."

In March of this year Quinn presented the star with the Thomas Manton Irish Man of the Year Award, on the fourth anniversary of the death of his wife Natasha Richardson.

Latest polls show the Irish American in a near dead-heat with Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former comptroller Bill Thompson.

Earlier this week the Daily News became the first New York newspaper to endorse Quinn, saying she's the Democratic primary candidate best qualified to lead New York.