Leslie Nielsen
Born February 11, 1926 (Age: 100)
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Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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.
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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Filmography
Spanish Movie
2009
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as Doctor Nielsen
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Age: 83
Stan Helsing
2009
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as Kay
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Age: 83
An American Carol
2008
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as Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa
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Age: 82
Superhero Movie
2008
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as Uncle Albert Adams
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Age: 82
Music Within
2007
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as Bill Austin
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Age: 80
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
2006
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as Self
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Age: 80
Scary Movie 4
2006
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as President Baxter Harris
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Age: 80
Nos Bastidores de Hollywood
2005
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 79
Scary Movie 3
2003
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as President Baxter Harris
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Age: 77
Men with Brooms
2002
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as Gordon Cutter
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Age: 76
Santa Who?
2000
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as Santa Claus
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Age: 74
2001: A Space Travesty
2000
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as Richard 'Dick' Dix
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Age: 74
Wrongfully Accused
1998
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as Ryan Harrison
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Age: 72
Safety Patrol!
1998
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as Mr. Penn
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Age: 72
Mr. Magoo
1997
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as Mr. Quincy Magoo
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Age: 71
Family Plan
1997
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as Harry Haber
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Age: 70
Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video
1997
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as Himself
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Age: 70
Harvey
1996
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as Dr. Chumley
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Age: 70
Spy Hard
1996
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as Dick Steele
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Age: 70
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
1995
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as Count Dracula
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Age: 69
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
1994
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as Self
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Age: 68
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
1994
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as Lt. Frank Drebin
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Age: 68
World's Funniest Commercials
1994
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as
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Age: 67
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My Way
1994
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as Leslie Nielsen
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Age: 67
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier
1993
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as Himself
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Age: 67
Digger
1993
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as Arthur Evrensel
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Age: 67
The Unknown Marx Brothers
1993
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as Self - Narrator
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Age: 67
Surf Ninjas
1993
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as Colonel Chi
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Age: 67
Chance of a Lifetime
1991
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as Lloyd Dixon
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Age: 65
All I Want For Christmas
1991
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as Santa
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Age: 65
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
1991
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as Lt. Frank Drebin
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Age: 65
Repossessed
1990
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as Father Jebedaiah Mayii
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Age: 64
The Railway Dragon
1989
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as Narrator (voice)
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Age: 63
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988
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as Frank Drebin
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Age: 62
Dangerous Curves
1988
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as Greg Krevske
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Age: 62
Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery
1987
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as Senator Erdain
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Age: 61
Nuts
1987
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as Allen Green
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Age: 61
Nightstick
1987
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as Thad Evans
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Age: 61
Home Is Where the Hart Is
1987
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as Sheriff Nashville Schwartz
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Age: 61
Soul Man
1986
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as Mr. Dunbar
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Age: 60
Striker's Mountain
1985
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as Jim McKay
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Age: 59
Reckless Disregard
1985
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as Bob Franklin
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Age: 59
Blade in Hong Kong
1985
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as Harry Ingersoll
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Age: 59
Creepshow
1982
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as Richard Vickers (segment "Something To Tide You Over")
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Age: 56
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
1980
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as Paul Warren
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Age: 54
Prom Night
1980
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as Mr. Hammond
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Age: 54
Airplane!
1980
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as Dr. Rumack
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Age: 54
Dive to the Edge of Creation
1980
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as Self - Narrator
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Age: 53
OHMS
1980
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as Governor
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Age: 53
Little Mo
1978
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as Nelson Fisher
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Age: 52
Sixth and Main
1977
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as John Doe
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Age: 51
The Dawson Patrol
1977
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as Narrator
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Age: 51
No Image
Grand Jury
1977
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as John Williams
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Age: 50
No Image
King of the Underwater World
1975
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as Self/Narrator
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Age: 49
The Outlaw Cats of Colossal Cave
1975
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as Narrator
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Age: 49
Can Ellen Be Saved?
1974
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as Arnold Lindsey
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Age: 47
The Return of Charlie Chan
1973
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as Alexander Hadrachi
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Age: 47
Amanda Fallon
1973
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as Mr. Cummings
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Age: 47
The Letters
1973
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as Derek Childs
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Age: 47
Snatched
1973
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as Bill Sutter
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Age: 46
...And Millions Die!
1973
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as Jack Gallagher
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Age: 46
Journey to the Outer Limits
1973
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as (voice)
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Age: 46
The Poseidon Adventure
1972
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as Captain Harrison
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Age: 46
Change of Mind
1969
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as Sheriff Webb
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Age: 43
How to Commit Marriage
1969
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as Phil Fletcher
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Age: 43
Deadlock
1969
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as Lt. Sam Danforth
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Age: 43
Trial Run
1969
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as Jason Harkness
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Age: 42
Four Rode Out
1969
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as Mr Brown
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Age: 42
Cocoon
1968
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as Brent
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Age: 42
The Wild Heart
1968
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as Narrator
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Age: 42
Dark Intruder
1965
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as Brett Kingsford
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Age: 39
Harlow
1965
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as Richard Manley
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Age: 39
See How They Run
1964
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as Elliot Green
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Age: 38
Night Train to Paris
1964
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as Alan Holiday
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Age: 38
The Velvet Alley
1959
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as Eddie Kirkley
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Age: 32
The Sheepman
1958
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as Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe
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Age: 32
The Opposite Sex
1956
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as Steve Hilliard
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Age: 30
The Vagabond King
1956
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as Thibault d'Aussigny
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Age: 30
Forbidden Planet
1956
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as Commander John J. Adams
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Age: 30
Ransom!
1956
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as Charlie Telfer
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Age: 29
The Battle of Gettysburg
1955
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as Narrator (voice)
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Age: 29
Dark Possession
1954
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as Dr. Roger Waring
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Age: 28