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.
Films (135)
O.J.: Made in America
2016
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013
Stonerville
2011
Spanish Movie
2009
Stan Helsing
2009
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League
2008
An American Carol
2008
Superhero Movie
2008
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
2008
Music Within
2007
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
2006
Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
2006
Scary Movie 4
2006
Nos Bastidores de Hollywood
2005
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking
2004
Noël Noël
2003
Scary Movie 3
2003
Men with Brooms
2002
Camouflage
2001
Chilly Dogs
2001
Santa Who?
2000
2001: A Space Travesty
2000
Wrongfully Accused
1998
Safety Patrol!
1998
Mr. Magoo
1997
Family Plan
1997
Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video
1997
Harvey
1996
Spy Hard
1996
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
1995
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
1995
Rent-a-Kid
1995
S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago
1994
An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck
1994
WWE SummerSlam 1994
1994
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
1994
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
1994
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My Way
1994
World's Funniest Commercials
1994
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier
1993
Digger
1993
The Unknown Marx Brothers
1993
Surf Ninjas
1993
Chance of a Lifetime
1991
All I Want For Christmas
1991
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
1991
Repossessed
1990
Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special Presentation
1989
The Railway Dragon
1989
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988
Dangerous Curves
1988
Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery
1987
Nuts
1987
Nightstick
1987
Home Is Where the Hart Is
1987
Soul Man
1986
The Patriot
1986
The Canadian Conspiracy
1986
Striker's Mountain
1985
Reckless Disregard
1985
Blade in Hong Kong
1985
Spaceship
1983
Cave-In!
1983
Creepshow
1982
Wrong Is Right
1982
Twilight Theatre
1982
Foxfire Light
1982
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
1980
Prom Night
1980
Airplane!
1980
Dive to the Edge of Creation
1980
OHMS
1980
City on Fire
1979
Riel
1979
Institute for Revenge
1979
Little Mo
1978
The Amsterdam Kill
1977
Sixth and Main
1977
Viva Knievel!
1977
Day of the Animals
1977
The Dawson Patrol
1977
Grand Jury
1977
Project: Kill
1976
Brinks: The Great Robbery
1976
King of the Underwater World
1975
The Outlaw Cats of Colossal Cave
1975
Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience
1975
Can Ellen Be Saved?
1974
The Return of Charlie Chan
1973
Amanda Fallon
1973
The Letters
1973
Snatched
1973
...And Millions Die!
1973
Journey to the Outer Limits
1973
The Poseidon Adventure
1972
They Call It Murder
1971
The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler
1971
Incident in San Francisco
1971
Hauser's Memory
1970
The Aquarians
1970
Night Slaves
1970
Change of Mind
1969
How to Commit Marriage
1969
Deadlock
1969
Trial Run
1969
Four Rode Out
1969
Companions in Nightmare
1968
Dayton's Devils
1968
Cocoon
1968
How to Steal the World
1968
The Wild Heart
1968
Shadow Over Elveron
1968
Counterpoint
1967
Rosie!
1967
The Reluctant Astronaut
1967
The Boy Who Flew with Condors
1967
Gunfight in Abilene
1967
Code Name: Heraclitus
1967
Beau Geste
1966
The Plainsman
1966
Dark Intruder
1965
Harlow
1965
See How They Run
1964
Night Train to Paris
1964
The Velvet Alley
1959
The Sheepman
1958
Tammy and the Bachelor
1957
Hot Summer Night
1957
The Opposite Sex
1956
The Vagabond King
1956
Forbidden Planet
1956
Ransom!
1956
The Battle of Gettysburg
1955
Dark Possession
1954
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant
1951