Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen

Acting
Born 1926-02-11 - Died 2010-11-28Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Biography

Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010) was a European-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.

Movies (138)

Airplane!
7.3

Airplane!

1980Movie7.3
Scary Movie 3
6.0

Scary Movie 3

2003Movie6.0
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
6.5

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

1994Movie6.5
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
7.3

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

1988Movie7.3
Scary Movie 4
5.5

Scary Movie 4

2006Movie5.5
Forbidden Planet
7.3

Forbidden Planet

1956Movie7.3
Prom Night
5.7

Prom Night

1980Movie5.7
Superhero Movie
5.3

Superhero Movie

2008Movie5.3
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
6.8

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

1991Movie6.8
Creepshow
6.9

Creepshow

1982Movie6.9
Wrongfully Accused
6.0

Wrongfully Accused

1998Movie6.0
Spy Hard
5.4

Spy Hard

1996Movie5.4
The Poseidon Adventure
7.2

The Poseidon Adventure

1972Movie7.2
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
6.1

Dracula: Dead and Loving It

1995Movie6.1
2001: A Space Travesty
4.3

2001: A Space Travesty

2000Movie4.3
Stan Helsing
4.2

Stan Helsing

2009Movie4.2
Soul Man
5.3

Soul Man

1986Movie5.3
Repossessed
5.3

Repossessed

1990Movie5.3
Mr. Magoo
4.5

Mr. Magoo

1997Movie4.5
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
9.0

Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects

1994Movie9.0
The Sheepman
6.9

The Sheepman

1958Movie6.9
Little Mo
7.3

Little Mo

1978Movie7.3
Surf Ninjas
5.0

Surf Ninjas

1993Movie5.0
Nuts
6.4

Nuts

1987Movie6.4
Rent-a-Kid
5.6

Rent-a-Kid

1995Movie5.6
All I Want For Christmas
5.6

All I Want For Christmas

1991Movie5.6
The Reluctant Astronaut
6.0

The Reluctant Astronaut

1967Movie6.0
Twilight Theater II

Twilight Theater II

1982Movie
The Return of Charlie Chan
5.5

The Return of Charlie Chan

1973Movie5.5
Spaceship
3.9

Spaceship

1983Movie3.9
Camouflage
4.4

Camouflage

2001Movie4.4
WWE SummerSlam 1994
6.7

WWE SummerSlam 1994

1994Movie6.7
O.J.: Made in America
8.4

O.J.: Made in America

2016Movie8.4
Nos Bastidores de Hollywood
10.0

Nos Bastidores de Hollywood

2005Movie10.0
Counterpoint
6.2

Counterpoint

1967Movie6.2
Safety Patrol!
4.8

Safety Patrol!

1998Movie4.8
Men with Brooms
5.2

Men with Brooms

2002Movie5.2
The Opposite Sex
5.4

The Opposite Sex

1956Movie5.4
Family Plan
5.3

Family Plan

1997Movie5.3
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
8.1

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013Movie8.1
An American Carol
4.2

An American Carol

2008Movie4.2
City on Fire
5.1

City on Fire

1979Movie5.1
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
7.4

Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest

2007Movie7.4
Day of the Animals
5.2

Day of the Animals

1977Movie5.2
Wrong Is Right
5.6

Wrong Is Right

1982Movie5.6
Trial Run
5.0

Trial Run

1969Movie5.0
Spanish Movie
5.0

Spanish Movie

2009Movie5.0
The Best of So Graham Norton

The Best of So Graham Norton

2004Movie
Tammy and the Bachelor
7.0

Tammy and the Bachelor

1957Movie7.0
Dangerous Curves
3.2

Dangerous Curves

1988Movie3.2
Santa Who?
5.5

Santa Who?

2000Movie5.5
...and millions will die!
5.2

...and millions will die!

1973Movie5.2
Hauser's Memory
6.8

Hauser's Memory

1970Movie6.8
Can Ellen Be Saved?
4.6

Can Ellen Be Saved?

1974Movie4.6
Reckless Disregard
8.0

Reckless Disregard

1985Movie8.0
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League
5.0

Slap Shot 3: The Junior League

2008Movie5.0
Stonerville
2.9

Stonerville

2011Movie2.9
Viva Knievel!
4.0

Viva Knievel!

1977Movie4.0
Sixth and Main
8.0

Sixth and Main

1977Movie8.0
The Plainsman
5.6

The Plainsman

1966Movie5.6
Dark Possession

Dark Possession

1954Movie
Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
7.0

Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon

2006Movie7.0
Beau Geste
5.6

Beau Geste

1966Movie5.6
The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler
5.9

The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler

1971Movie5.9
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking
6.4

The Nutcracker and the Mouseking

2004Movie6.4
Harlow
5.6

Harlow

1965Movie5.6
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
6.2

The Night the Bridge Fell Down

1980Movie6.2
Snatched
5.8

Snatched

1973Movie5.8
Amanda Fallon
8.0

Amanda Fallon

1973Movie8.0
Foxfire Light
6.8

Foxfire Light

1982Movie6.8
Music Within
6.5

Music Within

2007Movie6.5
The Amsterdam Kill
5.2

The Amsterdam Kill

1977Movie5.2
Chilly Dogs
5.5

Chilly Dogs

2001Movie5.5
The Battle of Gettysburg
6.1

The Battle of Gettysburg

1955Movie6.1
Striker's Mountain
5.5

Striker's Mountain

1985Movie5.5
Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video
5.8

Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video

1997Movie5.8
Ransom!
7.2

Ransom!

1956Movie7.2
Riel
6.0

Riel

1979Movie6.0
Nightstick
3.5

Nightstick

1987Movie3.5
Project: Kill
5.1

Project: Kill

1976Movie5.1
Rosie!
10.0

Rosie!

1967Movie10.0
The Aquarians
6.5

The Aquarians

1970Movie6.5
The Vagabond King
6.1

The Vagabond King

1956Movie6.1
Four Rode Out
4.4

Four Rode Out

1969Movie4.4
S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago
4.9

S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago

1994Movie4.9
Dayton's Devils
4.0

Dayton's Devils

1968Movie4.0
Twilight Theatre

Twilight Theatre

1982Movie
Hot Summer Night
5.7

Hot Summer Night

1957Movie5.7
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant

The Lost Will of Dr. Rant

1951Movie
Digger
6.5

Digger

1993Movie6.5
Journey to the Outer Limits
7.0

Journey to the Outer Limits

1973Movie7.0
Blade in Hong Kong
9.0

Blade in Hong Kong

1985Movie9.0
The Canadian Conspiracy
5.5

The Canadian Conspiracy

1986Movie5.5
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
4.7

Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet

2006Movie4.7
They Call It Murder
6.3

They Call It Murder

1971Movie6.3
Chance of a Lifetime
5.4

Chance of a Lifetime

1991Movie5.4
The Unknown Marx Brothers
5.7

The Unknown Marx Brothers

1993Movie5.7
The Letters
6.8

The Letters

1973Movie6.8
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
6.2

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

1995Movie6.2
Harvey
5.2

Harvey

1996Movie5.2
OHMS
7.5

OHMS

1980Movie7.5
Night Slaves
5.9

Night Slaves

1970Movie5.9
Gunfight in Abilene
6.5

Gunfight in Abilene

1967Movie6.5
Home Is Where the Hart Is
6.2

Home Is Where the Hart Is

1987Movie6.2
Cocoon
7.7

Cocoon

1968Movie7.7
Brinks: The Great Robbery
10.0

Brinks: The Great Robbery

1976Movie10.0
How to Steal the World
5.4

How to Steal the World

1968Movie5.4
Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery
7.5

Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery

1987Movie7.5
The Boy Who Flew with Condors
6.0

The Boy Who Flew with Condors

1967Movie6.0
Shadow Over Elveron
6.6

Shadow Over Elveron

1968Movie6.6
How to Commit Marriage
5.8

How to Commit Marriage

1969Movie5.8
The Velvet Alley
7.0

The Velvet Alley

1959Movie7.0
Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience
8.0

Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience

1975Movie8.0
World's Funniest Commercials

World's Funniest Commercials

1994Movie
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My Way
3.8

Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My Way

1994Movie3.8
Companions in Nightmare
5.3

Companions in Nightmare

1968Movie5.3
Dark Intruder
6.3

Dark Intruder

1965Movie6.3
Night Train to Paris
6.0

Night Train to Paris

1964Movie6.0
Code Name: Heraclitus
9.0

Code Name: Heraclitus

1967Movie9.0
Deadlock
9.0

Deadlock

1969Movie9.0
The Patriot
4.2

The Patriot

1986Movie4.2
See How They Run
6.0

See How They Run

1964Movie6.0
Cave-In!
4.6

Cave-In!

1983Movie4.6
Incident in San Francisco
5.7

Incident in San Francisco

1971Movie5.7
The Wild Heart

The Wild Heart

1968Movie
Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special Presentation
7.6

Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special Presentation

1989Movie7.6
An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck
10.0

An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck

1994Movie10.0
Dive to the Edge of Creation

Dive to the Edge of Creation

1980Movie
Noël Noël
6.7

Noël Noël

2003Movie6.7
Change of Mind
5.8

Change of Mind

1969Movie5.8
Institute for Revenge
6.7

Institute for Revenge

1979Movie6.7
Grand Jury
4.3

Grand Jury

1977Movie4.3
The Railway Dragon
1.0

The Railway Dragon

1989Movie1.0
The Dawson Patrol
10.0

The Dawson Patrol

1977Movie10.0
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier
7.0

Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier

1993Movie7.0
King of the Underwater World

King of the Underwater World

1975Movie
The Outlaw Cats of Colossal Cave

The Outlaw Cats of Colossal Cave

1975Movie
Pirates 4-D
9.0

Pirates 4-D

1997Movie9.0

TV Shows (135)

Family Guy
7.4

Family Guy

1999Series7.4
Saturday Night Live
6.9

Saturday Night Live

1975Series6.9
Raw
6.8

Raw

1993Series6.8
Die Harald Schmidt Show
7.3

Die Harald Schmidt Show

1995Series7.3
Columbo
8.1

Columbo

1971Series8.1
M*A*S*H
7.9

M*A*S*H

1972Series7.9
The Love Boat
6.3

The Love Boat

1977Series6.3
Ironside
6.8

Ironside

1967Series6.8
Bonanza
7.5

Bonanza

1959Series7.5
Murder, She Wrote
7.5

Murder, She Wrote

1984Series7.5
Hawaii Five-O
7.2

Hawaii Five-O

1968Series7.2
Wagon Train
6.6

Wagon Train

1957Series6.6
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
Dr. Kildare
5.7

Dr. Kildare

1961Series5.7
Fantasy Island
6.5

Fantasy Island

1978Series6.5
The Wild Wild West
7.5

The Wild Wild West

1965Series7.5
The Fugitive
7.3

The Fugitive

1963Series7.3
Highway to Heaven
7.4

Highway to Heaven

1984Series7.4
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
7.9

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

1962Series7.9
The Golden Girls
7.6

The Golden Girls

1985Series7.6
The Virginian
6.5

The Virginian

1962Series6.5
Robert Montgomery Presents
6.0

Robert Montgomery Presents

1950Series6.0
Wogan
5.3

Wogan

1982Series5.3
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
5.9

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

1963Series5.9
Who's the Boss?
7.4

Who's the Boss?

1984Series7.4
Night Gallery
7.8

Night Gallery

1970Series7.8
Rawhide
7.2

Rawhide

1959Series7.2
Daniel Boone
7.0

Daniel Boone

1964Series7.0
Gunsmoke
6.7

Gunsmoke

1955Series6.7
Due South
7.6

Due South

1994Series7.6
The Big Valley
6.2

The Big Valley

1965Series6.2
Route 66
6.7

Route 66

1960Series6.7
Cannon
6.7

Cannon

1971Series6.7
Studio One
5.4

Studio One

1948Series5.4
Dinah!
7.0

Dinah!

1974Series7.0
The Defenders
6.3

The Defenders

1961Series6.3
Barnaby Jones
7.1

Barnaby Jones

1973Series7.1
The Wonderful World of Disney
6.9

The Wonderful World of Disney

1997Series6.9
Naked City
5.7

Naked City

1958Series5.7
Thriller
6.7

Thriller

1960Series6.7
The F.B.I.
5.6

The F.B.I.

1965Series5.6
Suspense
5.1

Suspense

1949Series5.1
Lights Out
6.0

Lights Out

1949Series6.0
The Name of the Game
7.0

The Name of the Game

1968Series7.0
It Takes a Thief
7.2

It Takes a Thief

1968Series7.2
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
7.8

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

1964Series7.8
Kraft Suspense Theatre
6.5

Kraft Suspense Theatre

1963Series6.5
The Rookies
6.9

The Rookies

1972Series6.9
Tales of Tomorrow
6.4

Tales of Tomorrow

1951Series6.4
The Bob Hope Show
7.0

The Bob Hope Show

1950Series7.0
Miss USA
6.0

Miss USA

1963Series6.0
The Littlest Hobo
7.5

The Littlest Hobo

1979Series7.5
Danger
7.7

Danger

1950Series7.7
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.8

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

1955Series7.8
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
7.2

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

1964Series7.2
Kojak
7.2

Kojak

1973Series7.2
The Streets of San Francisco
7.1

The Streets of San Francisco

1972Series7.1
Playhouse 90
7.5

Playhouse 90

1956Series7.5
Vega$
6.9

Vega$

1978Series6.9
The Ray Bradbury Theater
6.9

The Ray Bradbury Theater

1985Series6.9
227
6.8

227

1985Series6.8
Goodyear Television Playhouse
6.0

Goodyear Television Playhouse

1951Series6.0
Herman's Head
6.8

Herman's Head

1991Series6.8
Live & Kicking
6.0

Live & Kicking

1993Series6.0
The Mod Squad
6.1

The Mod Squad

1968Series6.1
Finder of Lost Loves
6.8

Finder of Lost Loves

1984Series6.8
Folio
10.0

Folio

1955Series10.0
Judd, for the Defense
7.7

Judd, for the Defense

1967Series7.7
Evening Shade
5.8

Evening Shade

1990Series5.8
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
5.3

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

1999Series5.3
The Farmer's Daughter
6.0

The Farmer's Daughter

1963Series6.0
MGM Parade
7.5

MGM Parade

1955Series7.5
Cimarron Strip
5.7

Cimarron Strip

1967Series5.7
The New Breed
7.7

The New Breed

1961Series7.7
Day by Day
6.3

Day by Day

1988Series6.3
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
4.1

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

1996Series4.1
Police Squad!
7.9

Police Squad!

1982Series7.9
S.W.A.T.
7.1

S.W.A.T.

1975Series7.1
The Wonderful World of Disney
7.9

The Wonderful World of Disney

1954Series7.9
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
4.8

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

1969Series4.8
National Geographic Specials
7.1

National Geographic Specials

1965Series7.1
Robson Arms
5.2

Robson Arms

2005Series5.2
Medallion Theatre

Medallion Theatre

1953Series
Actors Studio
7.5

Actors Studio

1948Series7.5
Bracken's World
7.5

Bracken's World

1969Series7.5
Channing
7.5

Channing

1963Series7.5
Chilly Beach
6.0

Chilly Beach

2003Series6.0
The Manhunter
7.0

The Manhunter

1974Series7.0
Life and Times
5.0

Life and Times

1996Series5.0
The Swamp Fox
6.7

The Swamp Fox

1959Series6.7
Zeroman
5.7

Zeroman

2004Series5.7
Aloha Paradise
7.0

Aloha Paradise

1981Series7.0
The Web
7.0

The Web

1950Series7.0
Backstairs at the White House
6.1

Backstairs at the White House

1979Series6.1
Monty Nash
5.5

Monty Nash

1971Series5.5
Sarge
7.5

Sarge

1971Series7.5
Katie and Orbie
8.0

Katie and Orbie

1993Series8.0
Lucan
8.0

Lucan

1977Series8.0
The Evil Touch
6.0

The Evil Touch

1973Series6.0
Terry Wogan's Friday Night
6.5

Terry Wogan's Friday Night

1992Series6.5
Odd Job Jack
4.7

Odd Job Jack

2003Series4.7
What Really Happened to the Class of '65?
6.0

What Really Happened to the Class of '65?

1977Series6.0
General Electric Theater
6.8

General Electric Theater

1953Series6.8
Starlight Theatre
8.0

Starlight Theatre

1950Series8.0
Flesh 'n' Blood
7.0

Flesh 'n' Blood

1991Series7.0
The Clock

The Clock

1949Series
The Swiss Family Robinson
6.4

The Swiss Family Robinson

1975Series6.4
Bearcats!
6.8

Bearcats!

1971Series6.8
Assignment: Vienna
9.0

Assignment: Vienna

1972Series9.0
Gameshow Marathon

Gameshow Marathon

2006Series
The Danny Baker Show

The Danny Baker Show

1994Series
Hallmark Hall of Fame
8.8

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951Series8.8
First Performance

First Performance

1955Series
Convoy
7.7

Convoy

1965Series7.7
Love Story
7.0

Love Story

1954Series7.0
Out There
10.0

Out There

1951Series10.0
Liocracy
10.0

Liocracy

2001Series10.0
The Movie Game (US)

The Movie Game (US)

1969Series
Liography

Liography

2001Series
Doris Day's Best Friends

Doris Day's Best Friends

1985Series
Shaping Up
6.0

Shaping Up

1984Series6.0
Moment of Fear

Moment of Fear

1960Series
Lipshitz Saves the World
1.0

Lipshitz Saves the World

2007Series1.0
Sure As Fate
7.5

Sure As Fate

1950Series7.5
Stage 13

Stage 13

1950Series
Kung Fu
7.7

Kung Fu

1972Series7.7
Race for the Bomb
9.0

Race for the Bomb

1987Series9.0
The Bold Ones: The Protectors
5.0

The Bold Ones: The Protectors

1969Series5.0
Harvey

Harvey

1999Series
Twilight Theater
4.5

Twilight Theater

1982Series4.5
Tubridy Tonight
8.0

Tubridy Tonight

2005Series8.0
Short Short Dramas

Short Short Dramas

1952Series
The Art Linkletter Show

The Art Linkletter Show

1963Series
Prime Times

Prime Times

1983Series
Cybermania '94 - The Ultimate Gamer Awards
10.0

Cybermania '94 - The Ultimate Gamer Awards

1994Series10.0