← Back
Leslie Nielsen

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1926-02-11

Day of Death

2010-11-28

Place of Birth

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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.

Filmography (136)

⭐ 8.4 Role: Self (archive footage)

O.J.: Made in America

2016
⭐ 8.2 Role: Self (archive footage)

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013
⭐ 2.9 Role: Producer

Stonerville

2011
⭐ 5.0 Role: Doctor Nielsen

Spanish Movie

2009
⭐ 4.2 Role: Kay

Stan Helsing

2009
⭐ 5.0 Role: Mayor of Charlestown

Slap Shot 3: The Junior League

2008
⭐ 4.2 Role: Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa

An American Carol

2008
⭐ 5.3 Role: Uncle Albert Adams

Superhero Movie

2008
⭐ 7.4 Role: Dr. Rumack (archive voice)

Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest

2007
⭐ 6.4 Role: Bill Austin

Music Within

2007
⭐ 7.0 Role: Self

Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon

2006
⭐ 4.5 Role: Self

Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet

2006
⭐ 5.5 Role: President Baxter Harris

Scary Movie 4

2006
⭐ 10.0 Role: Self (archive footage)

Nos Bastidores de Hollywood

2005
⭐ 6.3 Role: (Mouseking) (voice)

The Nutcracker and the Mouseking

2004