Known For
Acting
Born
Feb 11, 1926
Died
Nov 28, 2010
Place of Birth
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits
272 titles
Leslie Nielsen
Biography
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.
Known For
Filmography
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage)
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
Stonerville
Producer
Spanish Movie
Doctor Nielsen
Stan Helsing
Kay
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League
Mayor of Charlestown
An American Carol
Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa
Superhero Movie
Uncle Albert Adams
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
Dr. Rumack (archive voice)
Lipshitz Saves the World
Himself
Music Within
Bill Austin
Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
Self
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
Self
Gameshow Marathon
Scary Movie 4
President Baxter Harris
Robson Arms
Caldo Vasco
Tubridy Tonight
Nos Bastidores de Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking
(Mouseking) (voice)
The Best of So Graham Norton
Self (archive footage)
Zeroman
Zeroman (voice)
Noël Noël
Narrator (english version)
Scary Movie 3
President Baxter Harris
Chilly Beach
Santa (voice)
Odd Job Jack
Men with Brooms
Gordon Cutter
Chilly Dogs
Clive Thorton / Cab Driver
Liography
Terrence Brynne McKennie
Liocracy
Camouflage
Jack Potter
Santa Who?
Santa Claus
2001: A Space Travesty
Richard 'Dick' Dix
Harvey
Dr. Chumley
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self
Family Guy
Dr. Rumack (archive footage)
Wrongfully Accused
Ryan Harrison
Safety Patrol!
Mr. Penn
Mr. Magoo
Mr. Quincy Magoo
The Wonderful World of Disney
Mr. Penn
Family Plan
Harry Haber
Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video
Himself
Harvey
Dr. Chumley
Life and Times
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self
Spy Hard
Dick Steele
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Count Dracula
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
Baxter
Die Harald Schmidt Show
Self
Rent-a-Kid
Harry Haber
S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago
Lucio Cinico