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Leslie Nielsen

Acting Born Feb 11, 1926 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 24 credits

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.

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Known for

Family Guy

as Dr. Rumack (archive footage)

Columbo

as A.J. Henderson

Columbo

as Peter Hamilton

The Fugitive

as Harold Cheyney

The Fugitive

as Martin C. Rowland

Raw

as Leslie Nielsen

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Murder, She Wrote

as David Everett

Murder, She Wrote

as Captain Daniels

Bonanza

as Sheriff Paul Rowan

Ironside

1967

Hawaii Five-O

as Brent

Full filmography

  • Family Guy (1999) as Dr. Rumack (archive footage)
  • Columbo (1971) as A.J. Henderson
  • Columbo (1971) as Peter Hamilton
  • The Fugitive (1963) as Harold Cheyney
  • The Fugitive (1963) as Martin C. Rowland
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as C. K. Dexter Haven
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as George
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Gates Holden
  • Raw (1993) as Leslie Nielsen
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Hank Hardaway
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Russ Blanchard
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Dan Michaels
  • Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
  • Murder, She Wrote (1984) as David Everett
  • Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Captain Daniels
  • Bonanza (1959) as Sheriff Paul Rowan
  • Ironside (1967)
  • Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Brent
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Host
  • The Virginian (1962) as John Hagen
  • The Virginian (1962) as Cleve Mason
  • The Virginian (1962) as Harry Lightfoot
  • M*A*S*H (1972) as Col. Buzz Brighton
  • Daniel Boone (1964) as William Russell