Months after generating controversy for discussing a past event in which he wanted to bait a black man into fighting him to avenge the rape of a close friend, Hollywood star Liam Neeson has released an apology for his remarks.

"Over the last several weeks, I have reflected on and spoken to a variety of people who were hurt by my impulsive recounting of a brutal rape of a dear female friend nearly 40 years ago and my unacceptable thoughts and actions at that time in response to this crime," he said in the statement.