Leslie Nielsen
1926-2010
Known for The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult.
Biography
Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010) was a European-Canadian American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in over one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying over 220 characters. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Nielsen enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and worked as a disc jockey before receiving a scholarship to Neighborhood Playhouse. Making his television debut in 1948, he quickly expanded to over 50 television appearances two years later. Nielsen made his film debut in 1956, and began collecting roles in dramas, westerns, and romance films. Nielsen's performances in the films Forbidden Planet (1956) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972) received positive reviews as a serious actor, though he is primarily known for his comedic roles. Although Nielsen's acting career crossed a variety of genres in both television and films, his deadpan delivery in Airplane! (1980) marked a turning point in his career, one that would make him, in the words of film critic Roger Ebert, "the Olivier of spoofs." Nielsen enjoyed further success with The Naked Gun film series (1988 – 1994), based on a short-lived television series Police Squad! in which he starred earlier. His portrayal of serious characters seemingly oblivious to (and complicit in) their absurd surroundings gave him a reputation as a comedian. In the final years of his career, Nielsen appeared in multiple spoof and parody films, many of which were met poorly by critics, but performed well in box office and home media releases. Nielsen married four times and had two daughters from his second marriage. He was recognized with a variety of awards throughout his career, and was inducted into the Canada and Hollywood Walks of Fame.
Movie Credits
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking (2004)
Camouflage (2001)
2001: A Space Travesty (2000)
Santa Who? (2000)
Wrongfully Accused (1998)
Mr. Magoo (1997)
Spy Hard (1996)
Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
Rent-a-Kid (1995)
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Prom Night (1980)
Project: Kill (1976)
The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler (1971)
Dark Intruder (1965)
Night Train to Paris (1964)
Harvey (1996)
Day of the Animals (1977)
The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)
Tammy and the Bachelor (1957)
Stonerville (2011)
An American Carol (2008)
Men with Brooms (2002)
Chilly Dogs (2001)
S.P.Q.R. 2000 e 1/2 anni fa (1994)
Repossessed (1990)
Cave-In! (1983)
Foxfire Light (1983)
Spaceship (1983)
Airplane! (1980)
The Amsterdam Kill (1977)
Cocoon (1968)
Gunfight in Abilene (1967)
Beau Geste (1966)
The Sheepman (1958)
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Ransom! (1956)
Superhero Movie (2008)
Creepshow (1982)
City on Fire (1979)
Change of Mind (1969)
How to Commit Marriage (1969)
Counterpoint (1967)
Stan Helsing (2009)
The Patriot (1986)
The Canadian Conspiracy (1985)
The Night the Bridge Fell Down (1980)
Viva Knievel! (1977)
How to Steal the World (1968)
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
Scary Movie 3 (2003)
Surf Ninjas (1993)
Soul Man (1986)
The Opposite Sex (1956)
The Plainsman (1966)
Nuts (1987)
Wrong Is Right (1982)
Harlow (1965)
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League (2008)
Music Within (2007)
Dangerous Curves (1988)
All I Want for Christmas (1991)
They Call It Murder (1971)
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest (2007)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013)
Spanish Movie (2009)
