Leslie Nielsen

Known for ActingBorn 1926-02-11Died 2010-11-28Regina, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Nos Bastidores de Hollywood

Liocracy

An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck

Cybermania '94 - The Ultimate Gamer Awards

The Dawson Patrol

Brinks: The Great Robbery

Rosie!

Folio

Out There

Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects

Race for the Bomb

Blade in Hong Kong

Assignment: Vienna

Deadlock

Code Name: Heraclitus

O.J.: Made in America

MGM Parade

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Cocoon

Tubridy Tonight

Katie and Orbie

Reckless Disregard

Columbo

Riel

Sixth and Main

Lucan

Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience

Amanda Fallon

Police Squad!

M*A*S*H

Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest

Due South

Night Gallery

Starlight Theatre

Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special Presentation

The Wonderful World of Disney

The Golden Girls

Kung Fu

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Family Guy

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

Murder, She Wrote

Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery

Judd, for the Defense

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Halloween

Convoy

MAS*H