Vale: Leslie Nielsen
Actor Leslie Nielsen, best known for his big screen roles in Flying High and Naked Gun has died, aged 84.
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Actor Leslie Nielsen, best known for his big screen roles in Flying High and Naked Gun has died, aged 84.
The Canadian-born actor, who in middle age tossed aside three decades of credibility in dramatic and romantic roles to make a new, far more successful career as a comic actor in films, died in a Florida hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia.
Early film roles included Forbidden Planet (1956), Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) and later The Poseidon Adventure (1972).
But it was 1980 disaster-movie parody Airplane! (known as Flying High in Australia) in which his deadpan comedy career was born.
It led to the television series, Police Squad! (1982) with just six episodes. But his character Lt. Frank Drebin went on to three successful feature-film spinoffs: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994).
He subsequently appeared in other comedy roles on the big screen, Repossessed (1990), Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995); Spy Hard (1996); 2001: A Space Travesty (2000); Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006).
He was nominated twice for Emmy Awards, in 1982 as outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for Police Squad! and in 1988 as outstanding guest actor in a comedy series Day by Day.
Scary Movie 5 is yet to be released.
“It’s been dawning on me slowly that for the past 35 years I have been cast against type,” he said in 1988, “and I’m finally getting to do what I really wanted to do.”
UPDATE: TEN will be putting together a small tribute this Friday Night from 8.30pm, running Flying High followed by The Naked Gun, hosted by Angela Bishop.
Source: New York Times
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- Tagged with Day by Day, Emmy Awards, Police Squad!
34 Responses
Class Act all the way!
Gave us so many great laughs and even though he’s gone he’ll still be giving us many more!
Damn, this is so sad. He was the kind of guy you thought was going to be around forever. He was one of the best comic actors ever, but if you want to see how big his range was, check out the episodes of Due South where he played “Buck” Frobisher. Especially check out the episode “Manhunt” in Season 1. He is equally funny, deeply sad and incredibly intense. Amazing stuff.
Rest in Peace you wonderful man.
Thanks for Laughs Leslie!
You surely can’t be serious?
I am serious but please don’t call me Surely!
Best and funniest line out of a movie ever!
Thanks for Forbidden Planet Mr Nielson.
Flying High – best line
Leslie: When can you land the plane?
Captain: I don’t know
Leslie: Can’t you take a guess?
Captain: Not for another two hours
Leslie: What you can’t take a guess for another two hours.
I remember watching Naked Gun for the first time and thinking Steve Martin would have been better. Years later I realised how wrong I was. He was great. Thanks for the laughs Frank or should I say Drebin! (you’re both right).
It was a big shock.
I assume that “Airplane” was retitled “Flying High” because we do not use, and have never used, the word ‘Airplane’ in Australia. We use the original English/French word ‘Aeroplane’. Airplane is a uniquely US expression.
I’ll forever remember him from the 1982 horror flick “Creepshow”. He starred in one of the stories where he buries a man up to the neck in the sand at the beach and taunts him while he pleads for his life as the tide gets higher and higher, eventually reaching over his head. As a kid it totally freaked me out and still haven’t forgotton that scene to this day. May he RIP.
Leslie Nielsen was Funny!
Flying High, Men with Brooms, Due South…the list is endess, as were the laughs!
Exit Centre Stage Mr Nielsen OC. RIP!
not another one… I’m just wondering how long it will be till we see Vale George Gaynes…
Also starred in Tv series made in 1969- Braken’s World
Made few appreances in Due South
Unfortunately, I only know of his work from the last 30 years, but whenever he lit up the screen, there was always a smile on my face.
It’s a sad day for comedy lovers everywhere and despite the trend these days for retro-satire comedy, there is always room for slapstick and silliness and this great man had it in bucket fulls.
@Peitro.No joke, and stop calling me Shirley. Good lines, lame but delivered with brilliance…I’ve seen some interviews he’s done and been in hysterics with the interiewers. especially the fart machine he would let off without warning.
That is so sad. I’ve just been watching Police Squad! over the weekend for the first time in years and it is still hilarious – I prefer it to the Naked Gun films. Loved his attitude.
“Charlie Miso says:
November 29, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Why is Airplane called Flying High in this country?”
From what I’ve heard it’s cause they were worried that we would think it was a serious film about an air disaster if it were called ‘Airplane’…
truely sad sad news. One of my favourite actors. Growing up, i absolutely adored naked guy, airplane! and most recently – the (in my opinion, the only funny movie in the franchise) 3rd scary movie.
Rest in peace leslie.
Very sad. I will not rest until everyone remembers his hilarious legacy. Now let’s get some lunch…
This is terribly sad news – what a fantastic man we’ve lost.
RIP big guy – no doubt you’ve already asked God to pull your finger and then told him not to call you ‘Shirley’.
Surely you must be joking…….
Why is Airplane called Flying High in this country?
Thanks for this David. Great comedy actor. RIP mate.
Truly one of the funniest men who ever lived – he gave immeasurable joy to millions. Wonderful clown and wonderful actor. He will be missed!
wtf???????
RIP Mr. Nielsen
loved you in naked gun
Let’s not forget him as Dorothy’s husband Lucas in The Golden Girls finale.
Will be sadly missed. Loved him and hes characters in the parody movies he did. was also a Canadian very funny those Canadians Mike Myers just to name a few. True talent quite enduring.