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Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen

Acting

Born February 11, 1926, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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 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.

Filmography

Appearances as themselves (29)
  • 2016O.J.: Made in America — Self (archive footage)
  • 2013Mel Brooks: Make a Noise — Self (archive footage)
  • Lipshitz Saves the World — Himself
  • 2006Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet — Self
  • 2006Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon — Self
  • 2005Nos Bastidores de Hollywood — Self (archive footage)
  • 2004The Best of So Graham Norton — Self (archive footage)
  • The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn — Self
  • The Rosie O'Donnell Show — Self
  • Die Harald Schmidt Show — Self
  • 1994An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck — Self - Audience Member
  • 1994Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects — Self
  • 1994WWE SummerSlam 1994 — Himself
  • 1993Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier — Himself
  • Live & Kicking — Self
  • 1993The Unknown Marx Brothers — Self - Narrator
  • Terry Wogan's Friday Night — Self
  • 1986The Canadian Conspiracy — Self
  • Prime Times — Self
  • 1982Twilight Theater II — Self- Host
  • Wogan — Self
  • 1980Dive to the Edge of Creation — Self - Narrator
  • Saturday Night Live — Self - Host
  • 1975Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience — Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Dinah! — Self
  • Miss USA — Self - Judge
  • MGM Parade — Self
  • The Bob Hope Show — Self
  • Golden Globe Awards — Self - Host
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