Leslie Nielsen
Acting
Born: Feb 11, 1926 — Died: Nov 28, 2010
From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits: 30 titles
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 …
Filmography
| Title | Character | Year | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Brooks: Make a Noise | Self (archive footage) | 2013 | 8.2 |
| Stan Helsing | Kay | 2009 | 4.216 |
| Spanish Movie | Doctor Nielsen | 2009 | 5.0 |
| An American Carol | Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa | 2008 | 4.2 |
| Scary Movie 4 | President Baxter Harris | 2006 | 5.487 |
| Scary Movie 3 | President Baxter Harris | 2003 | 5.963 |
| Men with Brooms | Gordon Cutter | 2002 | 5.264 |
| Chilly Dogs | Clive Thorton / Cab Driver | 2001 | 5.36 |
| 2001: A Space Travesty | Richard 'Dick' Dix | 2000 | 4.33 |
| Santa Who? | Santa Claus | 2000 | 5.547 |
| Wrongfully Accused | Ryan Harrison | 1998 | 5.999 |
| Family Plan | Harry Haber | 1997 | 5.378 |
| Mr. Magoo | Mr. Quincy Magoo | 1997 | 4.486 |
| Spy Hard | Dick Steele | 1996 | 5.421 |
| Dracula: Dead and Loving It | Count Dracula | 1995 | 6.065 |
| Rent-a-Kid | Harry Haber | 1995 | 5.625 |
| S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago | Lucio Cinico | 1994 | 4.871 |
| Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult | Lt. Frank Drebin | 1994 | 6.5 |
| Surf Ninjas | Colonel Chi | 1993 | 4.99 |
| Repossessed | Father Jebedaiah Mayii | 1990 | 5.228 |
| Nuts | Allen Green | 1987 | 6.337 |
| Soul Man | Mr. Dunbar | 1986 | 5.268 |
| Spaceship | Capt. Jamieson | 1983 | 3.833 |
| Wrong Is Right | Mallory | 1982 | 5.586 |
| Airplane! | Dr. Rumack | 1980 | 7.306 |
| Prom Night | Mr. Hammond | 1980 | 5.723 |
| The Poseidon Adventure | Captain Harrison | 1972 | 7.136 |
| How to Steal the World | General Maximilian Harmon | 1968 | 5.367 |
| Code Name: Heraclitus | Fryer | 1967 | 9.0 |
| Forbidden Planet | Commander John J. Adams | 1956 | 7.246 |
| Known for | Acting |
| Credits | 30 |
| Born | 1926 |
| From | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |