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Leslie Nielsen

 
Actor: Leslie Nielsen
  • Born: Feb 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Occupation: Actor, Writer
  • Active: '60s-2000s
  • Major Genres: Comedy, Drama
  • Career Highlights: The Naked Gun, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, Creepshow
  • First Major Screen Credit: Forbidden Planet (1956)

Biography

Although his career stretches back half a century and includes over 100 films and countless TV programs, Leslie Nielsen gained true fame late in his career, when he starred in a series of comic spoofs beginning with 1980's Airplane!.

The son of a Canadian Mountie and the brother of Canada's future Deputy Prime Minister, Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on February 11, 1926. He developed an early knack for acting when he was forced to lie to his disciplinarian father in order to avoid punishment, and he went on to become a radio announcer after serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII (despite being legally deaf, the result of a childhood illness). To prepare himself for his future career, Nielsen studied at Toronto's Academy of Radio Arts, which was run by CBC commentator and future Bonanza star Lorne Greene. After several years in radio, he won a scholarship to New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, where he studied acting under Sanford Meisner and dance under Martha Graham. He then spent five years appearing on such live television programs as Tales From Tomorrow before making his film bow in Ransom! (1956). With the exception of his starring roles in the sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet (1956) and the popular Debbie Reynolds-vehicle Tammy and the Bachelor (1957), much of Nielsen's early work was undistinguished; he was merely a handsome leading man in an industry overstocked with handsome leading men. An attempt to do a "Davy Crockett" by starring as Francis Marion in the Disney TV saga The Swamp Fox resulted in a nifty title tune but little else. Nielsen went on to star in such series as The New Breed, Bracken's World, and Hawaii Five-O (1968), but found he was more in demand as a heavy than as a hero.

A notorious offscreen practical joker and cut-up, Nielsen was not given an onscreen conduit for this trait until he was cast in the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker spoof Airplane (1980). This led to his deadpan characterization of monumentally inept police lieutenant Frank Drebin on Z.A.Z.'s cult TV series Police Squad, which in turn spawned the 1988 hit The Naked Gun and two sequels. Nielsen also found success in a number of other film spoofs, so much, in fact, that those familiar only with his loopy comedy roles are invariably surprised that, once upon a time, he took himself deadly seriously in films like Harlow (1965) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Filmography: Leslie Nielsen
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The Nutcracker and the Mouseking

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Scary Movie 3

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Noel Noel

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Men with Brooms

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2001: A Space Travesty

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Chilly Dogs

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Camouflage

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Wrongfully Accused

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Safety Patrol

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National Geographic: The Savage Garden

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Mr. Magoo

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Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video

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Spy Hard

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Dracula: Dead and Loving It

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Rent-A-Kid

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The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult

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Leslie Nielsen: Bad Golf My Way

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Surf Ninjas

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The Unknown Marx Brothers

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Leslie Nielsen: Bad Golf Made Easier

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The Blue Frontier: To Save a Whale

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The Blue Frontier: King of the Sea

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The Blue Frontier: Aquaspace Adventure

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Digger

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All I Want for Christmas

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Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience

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The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear

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Repossessed

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Dangerous Curves

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The Naked Gun

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Nightstick

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Nuts

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Striker's Mountain

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The Patriot

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Soul Man

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Foxfire Light

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Creepshow

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More! Police Squad

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Wrong Is Right

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The Creature Wasn't Nice

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Airplane!

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Prom Night

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Riel

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City on Fire

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The Amsterdam Kill

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Day of the Animals

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Viva Knievel!

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National Geographic: Strange Creatures of the Night

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The Poseidon Adventure

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Four Rode Out

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How to Commit a Marriage

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The Reluctant Astronaut

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Harlow

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Tammy and the Bachelor

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Forbidden Planet

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The Opposite Sex

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Wikipedia: Leslie Nielsen
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Leslie Nielsen

Nielsen in October 2008
Born Leslie William Nielsen
February 11, 1926 (1926-02-11) (age 83)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation Actor/Comedian
Years active 1950–present
Spouse(s) Monica Boyer (1950–1956)
Alisande Ullman (1958–1973)
Brooks Oliver (1981–1983)
Barbaree Earl (2001–present)

Leslie William Nielsen, OC (born February 11, 1926) is a Canadian actor and comedian. Although Nielsen's acting career crosses a variety of genres in both television and films, he has achieved his greatest film success as Commander John J. Adams in the film Forbidden Planet, and also in comic movies, including Airplane! and The Naked Gun series. His portrayal of serious characters seemingly oblivious of (and complicit in) their absurd surroundings gives Nielsen a reputation as a comedian.[1]

A series of later comedies attempted to emulate the popularity of his prior roles, bring a change from the serious roles of his early career. Leading roles in the science fiction classic Forbidden Planet and as the ship's captain in The Poseidon Adventure came long before Nielsen considered a turn to comedy. His deadpan delivery as a doctor in 1980's Airplane! marked a turning point in Nielsen's career, one that would make him, in the words of film critic Roger Ebert, "the Olivier of spoofs."[2] He may be best known for his roles as Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun, Dr. Rumack in Airplane!, as well as President Harris in the Scary Movie series. Nielsen has appeared in over 100 films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying over 220 characters.

Contents

Early life

Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Ingvard and Maybelle Nielsen. His father was Danish, and his mother was Welsh.[3] Nielsen's older brother, Erik Nielsen (1924–2008), was Deputy Prime Minister of Canada during the 1980s;[4] their uncle Jean Hersholt was a prominent silent-film actor after whom a humanitarian award was named. Nielsen spent several years living in Fort Norman, Northwest Territories when his father was stationed there with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.[5][6] Following his graduation from Victoria Composite High School in Edmonton, at the age of seventeen, Nielsen enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was trained as an aerial gunner during the latter part of World War II (but was too young to be fully trained and sent overseas).[7] He then worked as a disc jockey at a Calgary, Alberta, radio station, before enrolling at the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto.[8] He moved to New York City when he received a scholarship for the Neighborhood Playhouse.[3] Nielsen studied theater and music, while performing in summer stock theatre.[9] He attended the Actors Studio,[10] before making his first television appearance, in 1948, on an episode of Studio One, alongside Charlton Heston.[11]

Career

Early career

Nielsen's career began in dramatic roles, with numerous appearances as a doctor, lawyer, or police officer. In 1950 alone, he appeared in almost 50 live programs. Nielsen reported that for his salary that there "...was very little gold...we only got $75 or $100 per show."[12] His distinctive voice narrated several documentaries and commercials. With a handful of exceptions, his early work as a dramatic actor was uneventful. Hal Erickson of Allmovie noted, "...much of Nielsen's early work was undistinguished; he was merely a handsome leading man in an industry overstocked with handsome leading men."[13]

Nielsen together with Anne Francis in Forbidden Planet.

Soon after moving to Hollywood in 1954 under a contract with Paramount,[12] he was cast as Commander John J. Adams in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film Forbidden Planet (1956) which would receive many good reviews.[14] The film took its plot from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and also starred Walter Pidgeon and Anne Francis. Nielsen is also known for his roles as Debbie Reynolds' love interest in the first of the Tammy films, Tammy and the Bachelor, Captain Harrison in The Poseidon Adventure (1972), as well as in the M*A*S*H episode "The Ringbanger". Nielsen screened for the role of Messala in the 1959 film Ben-Hur, but Stephen Boyd was given the role.[15]

Nielsen has appeared in over 100 films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying over 220 characters.[16][17] His early television appearances include parts in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Virginian, and The Wild Wild West. His first leading role in a television series was as American Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion in Disney's The Swamp Fox, a spin-off of the Davy Crockett series. The series also featured his singing of the theme song.[18] In 1961, he was the lead in a taut Los Angeles police drama called The New Breed. In 1968, he had a major role in the pilot film for the popular police series Hawaii Five-O, and also later appeared in one of the episodes in the seventh season. In 1969, he had the leading role as a police officer in The Bold Ones: The Protectors.

Nielsen also starred in the William Girdler-directed 1977 action film Project: Kill. His last role before portraying mainly comedy roles was the Canadian disaster film City on Fire in which he played a corrupt mayor. In 1980, he guest starred as Sinclair on the CBS miniseries The Chisholms.

Airplane! and The Naked Gun

Nielsen's comedic breakthrough came with a supporting role in 1980's Airplane!, a parody of Zero Hour!, Airport, and other movies that dealt with air travel. Nielsen played a doctor aboard an airliner whose crew had been struck with food sickness. His deadpan delivery contrasted with the continual absurdity surrounding him. In the film when asked "Surely you can't be serious?", he responds with a curt, "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley." He later reflected in several interviews on the significance of the comedic line: "I thought it was amusing, but it never occurred to me that it was going to become a trademark. It's such a surprise...the thing comes out, people say 'What did he say?!'"[19] Nielsen has also stated that he was "...pleased and honored that [he] had a chance to deliver that line."[20] The comedic exchange was at #79 on the American Film Institute's list of Top 100 movie quotes.[21] The American Film Institute also included the film in its list of the top ten comedy films of all time.[22]

Nielsen in 1982

Critics praised the film, which proved to be a success with its audiences as well.[23] The film's directors, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, decided to choose Nielsen for the role of the doctor due to his ability to play "a fish in water", stating that "You could have cast funny people and done it with everybody winking, goofing off, and silly...we wanted people to be oblivious to the comedy."[22] The directors, interested in the success of the new comedy, decided to bring the slapstick style of comedy to television. They asked Nielsen to play the lead role in their new series, Police Squad!. The series introduced Nielsen as Frank Drebin, the stereotypical police officer modeled after characters in earlier police TV series.

Police Squad's opening sequence was based on the 1950s cop show M Squad, (which starred Lee Marvin), that opened with footage of a police car roving through in an after-dark urban setting as a big band played a jazz theme song. The voice-over and the show's organization into "acts" with an epilogue was homage to classic Quinn Martin police dramas including The Fugitive, Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., and Cannon. Much like in Airplane!, Nielsen portrayed a serious character whose one-liners appeared accidental next to the pratfalls and sight gags around him. Although the show was quickly canceled, lasting only six episodes after being juggled between time slots, Nielsen received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.[24]

With the exception of Airplane!, Nielsen had not been known as a comedian. His roles continued to be small and sporadic, such as Prom Night (1980) and Creepshow (1982), which were both horror films. Nielsen's most recent non-comedy role was the cameo appearance as Allen Green, a sleazy character who is murdered by Barbra Streisand's character Claudia Draper in Martin Ritt's courtroom drama Nuts.

Six years after the cancellation of Police Squad!, its directors decided to make a feature length version for theaters. Titled The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, the film returned Nielsen to his role as Frank Drebin. The film involved a comical scheme of a hypnotized baseball player's attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Drebin, like the doctor in Airplane!, seemed unaware of the absurdity even when unintentionally contributing toward it. Nielsen later said in an interview that he had done many of his own stunts, saying "You have an idea of how you're going to do something, and it's your vision... unless you do it, it really doesn't stand a chance."[19] This movie grossed over $78 million at the box office and was well-received by critics.[25][26] Ebert's 3½–star review (out of four) noted, "You laugh, and then you laugh at yourself for laughing."[27]

The movie The Naked Gun spawned two sequels, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). Naked Gun 2½ grossed more money than the original one, with $86,930,400, while Naked Gun 33⅓ grossed less than the previous two movies with $51,132,600 in receipts.[28][29] Nielsen remains open to the prospects of acting in a fourth Naked Gun film, although he doubts that it will ever be produced—"I don't think so. If there hasn't been one by now, I doubt it. I think it would be wonderful."[30]

Nielsen briefly appeared on an episode of the World Wrestling Federation in the summer of 1994. Capitalizing on his Frank Drebin character, Nielsen (and George Kennedy) were hired as "super-sleuths" to unravel the mystery of The Undertaker, who had disappeared at January's Royal Rumble event. At SummerSlam 1994, in a Naked Gun parody, they were hot on the case (in fact, they were literally standing on a case). Although they did not actually find The Undertaker, the case had been closed (the literal case had been shut) and thus, they solved the mystery.[31]

Later comedies

Nielsen attempted a variety of similar roles which never achieved the success of Frank Drebin. Many of the films emulated the style of The Naked Gun films, but with varying degrees of critical and commercial success. Many of the films were panned by critics and most performed poorly.

Although The Naked Gun series parodied police dramas in general, Nielsen's later parody films focused on specific targets. Critics panned Repossessed (1990) and 2001: A Space Travesty (2001), parodies of The Exorcist and 2001: A Space Odyssey, respectively. Both films attempted the absurdist comedy Nielsen is recognized for, but were poorly received.[32][33] Even a leading role in a Mel Brooks comic horror parody, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, failed to generate much box office excitement, although it did gain somewhat of a following on its later release to video. Both 1996's Spy Hard and 1998's Wrongfully Accused, a parody of The Fugitive, received even more popularity on home video and were not-well received by critics.[34][35]

His attempt at children's comedies met additional criticism. Surf Ninjas (1993) and Mr. Magoo (1997) faced scathing reviews. Several critics were disappointed that Nielsen's role in Surf Ninjas was only "an extended cameo" and film critic Chris Hicks recommended that viewers "...avoid any comedy that features Leslie Nielsen outside of the Naked Gun series."[36][37] Jeff Miller of the Houston Chronicle panned Mr. Magoo, a live action remake of the 1950s cartoon, by saying, "I'm supposed to suggest how the film might be better. But I can't think of anything to say other than to make the film again."[38]

Nielsen's first major slapstick success since The Naked Gun came in a supporting role in Scary Movie 3. His appearance as President Harris proved popular enough for a second appearance in its sequel, Scary Movie 4. This became the first time Nielsen reprised a character since his numerous appearances as Frank Drebin. In one scene in the film, Nielsen appeared almost fully nude, and one critic referred to the scene as putting "the 'scary' in Scary Movie 4."[39]

Nielsen also hosted a series of golf instructional videos beginning with 1993's Bad Golf Made Easier. The videos were not serious, instead combining absurd comedy with golf techniques. The series were popular enough to spawn two additional sequels, Bad Golf My Way (1994) and Stupid Little Golf Video (1997). Nielsen also co-wrote a fictional autobiography titled The Naked Truth. The book portrayed Nielsen as a popular actor with a long history of prestigious films.

Recent work

Leslie Nielsen in 2009 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Even in his eighties, Nielsen continues to have an active career. He performs serious roles on screen and stage (such as his one-man theatre show Darrow, playing Clarence Darrow), as well as providing voice-overs and on-camera appearances for commercials; cartoons like Zeroman where he has the leading role/voice; children's shows, such as Pumper Pups, which he narrates, in addition to comedic film roles. The sibling relationship with his elder brother, the Honourable Erik Nielsen, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, serves as the premise of an HBO mockumentary entitled The Canadian Conspiracy in which Leslie Nielsen appears, along with other prominent Canadian-born media personalities. Recently, he was a celebrity contestant on CBS's Gameshow Marathon, where he played The Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal, Beat the Clock, and Press Your Luck for charity.[12]

Beginning in February 2007, Nielsen began playing a small role as a doctor in the humorous yet educational television show Doctor*Ology. The show chronicles real-life medical techniques and technology, and airs on the Discovery Channel. In an interview, Nielsen admitted his admiration for the doctors on the show: "There are any number of things that you think about when you ponder if you hadn't been an actor, what would you be, and I've always said I'd like to be an astronaut or a doctor. I have such admiration for doctors. I just don't know how you go around to thank them enough for coming up with the world's most remarkable new discoveries."[20]

In 2007, Nielsen starred in the drama Music Within. In 2008, he portrayed a version of Uncle Ben for Superhero Movie, a spoof of superhero films with co-star Drake Bell. He then appeared in David Zucker's 2008 parody An American Carol, which Zucker directed, produced, and co-wrote.

In 2009, the sequel to Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult was announced.[40] Naked Gun 4: Rhythm of Evil, is in early stages of production and is expected to be released in late 2010.[41] Nielsen is likely to reprise his role as Detective Frank Drebin, however the situation with OJ Simpson and the rest of the Naked Gun cast members remain unclear.[41]

Personal life

"I'm afraid if I don't keep moving, they're going to catch me ... I am 81 years old and I want to see what's around the corner, and I don't see any reason in the world not to keep working. But I am starting to value my down time a great deal because I am realizing there might be other things to do that I am overlooking."
–Nielsen reflecting on his career in 2007[20]

Nielsen has married four times: Monica Boyer (1950–1956), Alisande Ullman (1958–1973), Brooks Oliver (1981–1983) and Barbaree Earl (2001).[42][43] Nielsen also has two children from his second marriage, Maura and Thea Nielsen.[43]

Nielsen is a fan of golf, and plays it in his free time.[44] In an interview he stated that "I don't play golf to feel bad, I play bad golf but I feel good."[19] Nielsen's interest in the sport led him to star in several comedic instructional films.

Nielsen has stated in several interviews that he has a few medical problems such as hearing impairment.[45] Because of this impairment, he has publicly supported the Better Hearing Institute.[46]

Achievements

Among his numerous awards, Leslie Nielsen received UCLA's Jack Benny Award for his comedic roles in 1995.[24] In 1988, he became the 1,884th personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6541 Hollywood Blvd.[47] In 2001 he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.[47] The following year he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, although he is also a naturalized U.S. citizen.[48] With his American status, he still maintains his Canadian heritage: "There's no way you can be a Canadian and think you can lose it ... Canadians are a goodly group. They are very aware of caring and helping."[49] On May 19, 2005, during the centennial gala of his birth province, Saskatchewan, Leslie Nielsen was introduced to HM Queen Elizabeth II.[50]

In 2003, in honor of Nielsen, Grant MacEwan College named its school of communications after him.[51] Also in 2003, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists awarded him the ACTRA Award of Excellence.[51]

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Other notes
1956 Ransom! Charlie Telfer Film debut
Forbidden Planet Commander John J. Adams
The Vagabond King Thibault
The Opposite Sex Steve Hilliard
1957 Hot Summer Night William Joel Partain
Tammy and the Bachelor Peter Brent
1958 The Sheepman Col. Stephen Bedford/Johnny Bledsoe
1964 See How They Run Elliot Green First television movie
Night Train To Paris Alan Holiday
1965 Dark Intruder Brett Kingsford
Harlow Richard Manley
1966 The Plainsman Col. George Armstrong Custer
Beau Geste Lieutenant De Ruse
1967 Code Name: Heraclitus Fryer
The Reluctant Astronaut Major Fred Gifford
Gunfight in Abilene Grant Evers
Rosie! Cabot Shaw
1968 How to Steal the World General Maximilian Harmon The Man From U.N.C.L.E. film
Counterpoint Victor Rice
Dayton's Devils Frank Dayton
Companions in Nightmare Dr. Neesden
1969 Trial Run Jason Harkness
Deadlock Lieutenant Sam Danforth
How to Commit Marriage Phil Fletcher
Change of Mind Sherrif Webb
1970 Night Slaves Sherrif Henshaw
The Aquarians Official
Hauser's Memory Joseph Slaughter
1971 Incident In San Francisco Lieutenant Brubaker
Four Rode Out Mr. Brown
They Call It Murder Frank Antrim
1972 The Poseidon Adventure Captain Harrison
1973 ...And Millions Die! Jack Gallagher
Snatched Bill Sutting
Amanda Fallon Mr. Cummings
The Return Of Charlie Chan Alexander Hadrachi
1975 Can Ellen Be Saved Arnold Lindsey
1976 Grand Jury John Williams
Project: Kill Jonathan Trevor
Brinks: The Great Robbery Agent Norman Houston
1977 Sixth and Main John Doe
Day of the Animals Paul Jenson
Viva Knievel Stanley Millard
The Kentucky Fried Movie Man in Feel-O-Rama Movie Uncredited cameo; Feel-O-Rama segment
The Amsterdam Kill Riley Knight
1978 Little Mo Nelson Fisher
1979 Institute for Revenge Counselor Hollis Barnes
The Albertans Don MacIntosh
Riel Major Crozier
City on Fire Mayor William Dudley
1980 OHMS Governor
Airplane! Dr. Rumack first comedy role
Prom Night Mr. Raymond Hammond
1981 A Choice of Two Unknown
1982 Twilight Theater Various Characters
Foxfire Light Reece Morgan
Wrong is Right Mallory
Creepshow Richard Vickers Something To Tide You Over segment
1983 Prime Times Unknown
The Night the Bridge Fell Down Paul Warren
Cave-In! Joseph 'Joe' Johnson
The Creature Wasn't Nice Capt. Jamieson
1985 Murder Among Friends Unknown
Reckless Disregard Bob Franklin
Blade in Hong Kong Harry Ingersoll
Striker's Mountain Jim McKay
1986 The Patriot Admiral Frazer
Soul Man Mr. Dunbar
1987 Nightstick Thad Evans
Nuts Allen Green Final non-comedy role
Home Is Where The Hart Is Sherrif Nashville Schwartz
1988 Dangerous Curves Greg Krevske
The Railway Dragon Narrator First animated film
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! Lt. Frank Drebin First starring role
1990 Repossessed Father Jebedaiah Mayii
1991 All I Want for Christmas Santa Claus Family holiday film
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear Lt. Frank Drebin
Chance of A Lifetime Lloyd Dixon
1993 Digger Arthur Evrensel
Surf Ninjas Colonel Chi
1994 S.P.Q.R. 2000 e 1/2 anni fa Lucio Cinico
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult Lt. Frank Drebin
1995 Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Willowby's butler
Rent-a-Kid Harry Haber
Dracula: Dead and Loving It Count Dracula
1996 Spy Hard Dick Steele, Agent WD-40
1997 Mr. Magoo Mr. Magoo
1998 Safety Patrol Mr. Penn
Family Plan Harry Haber
Harvey Dr. Chumley
Wrongfully Accused Ryan Harrison
1999 Pirates 4D Captain Lucky 4D Cinema Show at Thorpe Park, Surrey and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia
2000 Santa Who? Santa Claus
2001: A Space Travesty Richard 'Dick' Dix
2001 Camouflage Jack Potter
Kevin of the North Clive Thornton
2002 Men with Brooms Gordon Cutter
2003 Scary Movie 3 President Harris
Noel Noel English Narrator
2004 The Nutcracker and the Mouseking Mouseking
2006 Scary Movie 4 President Harris
2007 Music Within Bill Austin
2008 Superhero Movie Uncle Albert
An American Carol Grampa / Himself
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League Mayor of Charlestown
2009 Spanish Movie Doctor
Stan Helsing Kay

Television

Year Title Role Other notes
1958–1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Lloyd Ashley & DA Rudolph Cox Two episodes
1959 The Swamp Fox Colonel Francis Marion
1961 The New Breed Lt. Price Adams Regular
1963 Channing Professor Paul Stafford Single episode
1964 Your First Impression As himself Single episode
1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Steven Grainger Single episode
1964–1969 The Virginian Ben Stratton Five episodes
1969 The Bold Ones: The Protectors Deputy Police Chief Sam Danforth
1969–1974 Hawaii Five-O Brent & Colonel Faraday Two episodes
1971–1975 Columbo Peter Hamilton & Geronimo Two episodes
1973 M*A*S*H Col. Buzz Brighton One episode
1973–1974 The Streets of San Francisco Ofc. Joe Landers, Insp. John T. Connor, & Big Jake Wilson Three episodes
1974 Cannon Eric Strauss Single episode
1979 Backstairs at the White House Ike Hoover Three episodes
1982 Police Squad! Det. Frank Drebin
1985–1986 Murder, She Wrote Captain Daniels & David Everett Two episodes
1988 Day By Day Jack Harper One Episode, Nominated for an Emmy Award
1989 Saturday Night Live Himself Single episode
1992 The Golden Girls Lucas Hollingsworth Series finale
1994–1999 Due South Sgt. Buck Frobisher Four episodes
1995 Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Mr. Willowby's Butler, Baxter Television Christmas special
2000 Santa Who? Santa Claus television movie
2001 Scrubs cross-dresser Uncredited
2002 Liocracy Terrence Brynne McKennie
2004 Zeroman Les Mutton/Zeroman
2007 Doctorology Himself, Host
Lipshitz Saves the World Lipshitz's mentor Pilot
Robson Arms Cado Vasco

Video

Writing

References

  1. ^ Maslin, Janet (December 2, 1988). "Review/Film; A Fall Guy as Antihero". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DE153DF931A35751C1A96E948260. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  2. ^ Ebert, Roger (October 24, 2003). "Scary Movie 3". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031024/REVIEWS/310240305/1023. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  3. ^ a b "Leslie Nielsen Has Come Out of the Comedy Closet". Calhoun Times. July 3, 1991. p. C7. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O5wIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8UQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5252,115377&dq=leslie+nielsen+officer+in+the+royal+canadian+mounted+police. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  4. ^ Staff (September 5, 2008). "Erik Nielsen dies at B.C. at 84". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080905.wobitnielsen0905/BNStory/National/home. Retrieved 2009-04-18. 
  5. ^ Carr, Jay (March 13, 1994). "If Leslie Nielsen has learned anything, it's how to play slapstick with a ... straight face". The Boston Globe. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BG&p_theme=bg&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADE0BD69AAEBB6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  6. ^ "Playing Defense Funny Man Turns Serious with One-man Darrow Show" (Fee required). Chicago Tribune. January 30, 2000. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/48598094.html?dids=48598094:48598094&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+30%2C+2000&author=Judy+Hevrdejs+Contributing%3A+Kaarin+Tisue%2C+Gary+Dretzka&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=PLAYING+DEFENSE+FUNNY+MAN+TURNS+SERIOUS+WITH+ONE-MAN+DARROW+SHOW&pqatl=google. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  7. ^ Reuters (June 14, 1996). "No Joke! Nielsen in Drama" (Registration required). Rocky Mountain News. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67786375.html. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  8. ^ Churchill, Bonnie (December 20, 1997). "Leslie Nielsen Doesn't Take Himself Seriously, Nor Does Anyone Else" (Fee required). St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB050AC86F77B7D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
  9. ^ Hopper, Hedda (January 6, 1957). "These New Faces Will Go Pla aces in 1957!". Chicago Tribune: p. H16. 
  10. ^ Wise, James E.; Baron, Scott (2002). International stars at war. Naval Institute Press. p. 221. ISBN 1557509654. 
  11. ^ Arnold, William (December 6, 1988). "Shy actor loves his life as a comic". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1988/8802020770.asp. Retrieved 2009-04-18. 
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  13. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Biography". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:52664~T1. Retrieved February 23, 2009. 
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