THE actor Liam Neeson underwent emergency surgery yesterday after falling ill at the Venice Film Festival. The star of Michael Collins, the new film by Neil Jordan, was in hospital in Padua suffering from an "intestinal complaint", Warner Brothers said.
He had been feeling unwell for some time and was rushed to hospital on Sunday night.
A Warner Brothers spokesman, Mr Ian George, said the star was "fine" and would make a complete recovery, although he would have to stay in hospital for about a week.
"He was feeling very unwell but he did not break down. He was actually quite calm about it all and bore up very well."
Liam Neeson (42), from Ballymena, Co Antrim, whose movie credits include Schindler's List and Rob Roy, is married to the actress Natasha Richardson. The couple became parents for the second time last week when Natasha gave birth to a son, Daniel, in New York. Natasha is the granddaughter of the late actor, Sir Michael Redgrave, and daughter of the actress Vanessa Redgrave.
A spokeswoman for the festival said Neeson had been complaining of dizziness and stomach pains since arriving in Italy.
Mr George added that Neeson felt it was a point of principle that he should be present for the movie's premiere on Saturday. That may have explained why he travelled from the US while possibly feeling unwell.