Looking really skinny and slender when he was pictured in July, the 63-year-old actor actually sparked fears over his health.

Liam Neeson  appeared a little healthier and in good spirits as he attended the Spirit of Ireland Gala in New York.  Although was still displaying a dramatically thinner frame on Friday. He mingled with members of the Irish American Arts Community, wearing a simple dark suit which engulfed his upper body.

The action hero arrived alongside other guests including actress Roma Downey and singer Cassandra Wilson at Cipriani 42nd Street. The evening played host to special guest Sting.

Born in Northern Ireland, Liam acts as an honorary chair at the annual function. In addition he was also dishing out awards on Friday night. 

Earlier this year, Liam was working on the film Silence. Some have suggested that his dramatic weight loss was actually in consonance with his role in the film. It is scheduled to hit cinemas in 2016. The actor plays the role of a Jesuit priest, Father Sebastiao Rodrigues in this drama.

Starring opposite Star Wars VII actor Adam Driver and former Spiderman leading man Andrew Garfield, the film tells the story of two priests who travel to 17th Century Japan. Persecution of Japanese Christians at the hands of their own government which wishes to purge Japan of all western influence. 

However, according to a source by Radar Online: '[Liam] blames the weight loss on his changing diet, which was meant to just shave a bit off his beer gut for his movie Silence but went a little too far.' Adding, 'He cut a lot of calories and started just drinking black coffee.'

The insider further added, that since Liam is preparing to do some big roles, plans to put the weight back on is underway.

According to Liam's spokeperson, he couldn't be healthier as he has just completed work on the film and starts another in September.

With Silence in post production the actor shows no sign of his schedule slowing down, as he will also be working on Korean War drama, Operation Chromite.