Leslie Nielsen
Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010) was a 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 t
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.
Born
Feb 11, 1926
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died
Nov 28, 2010
Known For
Acting
Movies
139 acting
2 crew
Popularity
3.2
Known For
Airplane!
1980
as Dr. Rumack
Scary Movie 4
2006
as President Baxter Harris
Scary Movie 3
2003
as President Harris
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988
as Frank Drebin
The Poseidon Adventure
1972
as Captain Harrison
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
1994
as Lt. Frank Drebin
Spy Hard
1996
as Dick Steele
Superhero Movie
2008
as Uncle Albert Adams
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
1991
as Lt. Frank Drebin
Airplane II: The Sequel
1982
as Dr. Rumack (archive footage) (uncredited)
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