SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The 2026 Critics Choice Awards unfolded on Sunday, January 4, at the Barker Hangar here, celebrating the best in film and television from the previous year. Among the highlights was the win for Best Comedy, awarded to the reboot of the classic spy spoof The Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Notably absent from the ceremony and the preceding red carpet were the film's leads, Neeson, 73, and Anderson, 58, who had collaborated on the 2025 release that marked their only nomination at the event.
The victory for The Naked Gun came ahead of the live broadcast, underscoring the film's comedic appeal in a year packed with blockbusters and indie darlings. Produced as a revival of the beloved 1980s franchise originally starring Leslie Nielsen, the movie paired Neeson's deadpan action-hero persona with Anderson's return to the spotlight in a role that echoed her Baywatch days but with a satirical twist. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, the film grossed over $100 million worldwide upon its July 2025 release, according to box office reports, and received praise for its nostalgic humor amid a competitive comedy field that included entries like Deadpool & Wolverine and Barbie sequels.
Neither Neeson nor Anderson made an appearance at the awards, which drew a star-studded crowd including nominees from major studios. Organizers confirmed to reporters that the win was accepted on behalf of the production team, with no on-stage speeches from the absent stars. This marked a quiet moment for the duo, whose promotional tour for the film had been anything but subdued the previous summer.
Neeson and Anderson first crossed paths on the set of The Naked Gun in early 2024, with filming wrapping up later that year. Their on-screen chemistry quickly spilled into real-life buzz, as the pair displayed flirty interactions at red carpet events promoting the movie. At the film's premiere in Los Angeles on July 18, 2025, Anderson was seen laughing heartily at Neeson's jokes, while he complimented her timing during interviews.
In an October 2024 interview with People magazine ahead of the film's release, Neeson opened up about his admiration for his co-star. “With Pamela, first off, I’m madly in love with her. She’s just terrific to work with. I can’t compliment her enough, I’ll be honest with you. No huge ego,” Neeson said. He added, “She just comes in to do the work. She’s funny and so easy to work with. She’s going to be terrific in the film.”
Anderson reciprocated the praise in the same joint interview, describing Neeson as “the perfect gentleman.” “He brings out the best in you … with respect, kindness and depth of experience,” she said. “It was an absolute honor to work with him.” The conversation revealed Neeson's initial reaction upon meeting her: “I thought, ‘Oh my god, she is so easy on the eyes,’” he told People. “I was really taken with your ‘thereness.’ You were absolutely there. There was no [brushing me off], I knew we had kind of a chemistry from very early on.”
Behind the scenes, their connection deepened beyond professional respect. An insider told Us Weekly in August 2025 that the pair started as friends during production but waited until filming concluded to explore romance. “They had chemistry while they were filming, and their friendship naturally developed into something more,” the source said. The insider emphasized professionalism on set: “Feelings were definitely happening between them, [but] they both felt it was important not to blur any lines during production.”
Post-production, the relationship evolved. “They started spending more time together [and getting] more personal … introducing their children and having dinners. They realized the connection went deeper,” the source continued. Neeson, a father of two sons from his late wife Natasha Richardson, and Anderson, mother to two sons from previous marriages, reportedly bonded over family life.
Anderson addressed the romance directly in a recent interview with People earlier this month. “If you must know, Liam and I were romantically involved for a short while, but only after we finished filming [The Naked Gun],” she said. She detailed a brief intimate period, including an “intimate week” at Neeson's home in upstate New York, where she had her “own room.” This account aligns with the insider's timeline, placing the fling in the late summer of 2025.
Rumors swirled that the pairing was a publicity stunt to boost the film's profile, especially given the timing with promotional events. Anderson dismissed those speculations emphatically. “I always was laughing when people thought, ‘Oh, that’s a publicity stunt.’ I’m like, ‘A publicity stunt? This is real. We have real feelings,’” she told People. However, she clarified the current status: “I adore Liam, but we are better friends, in full honesty.”
Their last in-person meeting occurred in August 2025, when Neeson made a surprise appearance at Anderson's performance in Tennessee Williams’ Camino Real at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. “He is such a supporter of this new trajectory in my career and kindly tells me he is very proud of me,” Anderson said. “I’m sure we will always be in each other’s lives.” This event came shortly after the film's release, highlighting Neeson's encouragement of Anderson's shift toward more theatrical roles following her memoir and documentary in 2023.
The absence at the Critics Choice Awards raises questions about their dynamic post-romance. While Anderson has publicly affirmed their friendship, Neeson has not commented recently on the matter. Representatives for both actors did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Appleton Times regarding their no-show. The awards ceremony itself proceeded smoothly, with other winners including Oppenheimer for Best Picture and a host of television accolades.
Looking back, The Naked Gun reboot represented a career pivot for both stars. Neeson, known for intense thrillers like the Taken series, embraced comedy later in his career, drawing on his early stage work in Ireland. Anderson, after decades in Hollywood's glamour orbit, has focused on authenticity, as seen in her no-makeup appearances and Broadway aspirations. Their collaboration not only revived a franchise but also sparked a narrative that blended Hollywood romance with professional triumph.
As the awards season continues with the Golden Globes on January 11 and the Oscars on March 7, 2026, eyes will be on whether Neeson and Anderson reunite for further promotions or appearances. The film's win could propel it toward additional nominations, though its single Critics Choice nod suggests limited awards traction beyond comedy categories. For now, their story remains one of fleeting sparks amid enduring camaraderie, a subplot as entertaining as the movie that brought them together.
In the broader context of the entertainment industry, such co-star romances are not uncommon, often fueling tabloid interest but rarely derailing careers. Sources close to the production noted that the film's success was driven by script and direction rather than personal headlines, though the latter certainly amplified visibility. With both actors maintaining busy schedules—Neeson filming a new action project in Europe and Anderson preparing for stage work—their paths may cross again, professionally if not romantically.