View source for Leslie Nielsen

{{Short description|Canadian-American actor (1926–2010)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Leslie Nielsen
| honorific_suffix   = [[Order of Canada|OC]]
| image              = Leslie Nielsen.jpg
| alt                = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption            = Nielsen in 1982
| birth_name         = Leslie William Nielsen
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1926|2|11}}
| birth_place        = [[Regina, Saskatchewan]], Canada
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2010|11|28|1926|2|11}}
| death_place        = [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], U.S.
| resting_place      = Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
| alma_mater         = [[Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre]]<br>[[Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|producer}}
| years_active       = 1950–2010
| notable_works      = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Forbidden Planet]]''
* ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]''
* ''[[Airplane!]]''
* ''[[Police Squad!]]''
* ''[[The Naked Gun]]''}}
| spouse             = {{ubl
  | {{marriage|[[Monica Boyar]] |1950|1956|end=div}}
  | {{marriage|Alisande Ullman |1958|1973|end=div}}
  | {{marriage|Brooks Oliver |1981|1983|end=div}}
  | {{marriage|Barbaree Earl |2001<!--Year omitted per Template:Marriage instructions-->}}
  }}
| children           = 2
| relatives          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Erik Nielsen]] (brother)
* [[Jean Hersholt]] (half-uncle)}}
| module             = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| allegiance       = {{flag|Canada|1921}}
| branch           = {{air force|Canada|1924}}
| serviceyears     = 1943&ndash;1945<ref name="whitehorse"/><ref name="complex"/><ref name="BBCobit"/><ref name="thehindu"/>
| rank             = 
| unit             = 
| battles          = [[World War II]]
| awards           = 
}}
| signature        = Leslie Nielsen Signature.svg
}}

'''Leslie William Nielsen''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC}} (February 11, 1926{{spaced ndash}}November 28, 2010) was a Canadian-American actor and comedian.<ref>{{cite news| quote='I played a lot of leaders, autocratic sorts; perhaps it was my Canadian accent', he said.| title='Naked Gun,' 'Airplane' actor Leslie Nielsen dies| url=http://topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/2010/12/02/122613-naked-gun-airplane-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies.htm| agency=[[Associated Press]]| date=2 December 2010| publisher= Technology Marketing Corporation}}</ref> With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins |first=Glenn |title=Mr. Nondescript Becomes a Star in 'Naked Gun' |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/21/movies/mr-nondescript-becomes-a-star-in-naked-gun.html |date=21 December 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625044630/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/21/movies/mr-nondescript-becomes-a-star-in-naked-gun.html |archive-date= 25 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nielsen made his acting debut in 1950, appearing in 46 live television programs that year. He made his film debut in 1956, with supporting roles in several dramas, westerns and romance films produced from the 1950s to 1970s.

Although his performances in the films ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'' and ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' gave him standing as a dramatic actor, Nielsen later gained recognition for his [[Deadpan|deadpan comedy]] roles during the 1980s, after being cast for the [[Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker]] comedy film ''[[Airplane!]]''{{hsp}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112905269.html|title=Leslie Nielsen, serious actor who became a master of deadpan comedy, dies at 84|last=Brown|first=Emma|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=29 November 2010|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> In his comedy roles, he specialized in portraying characters oblivious to and complicit in their absurd surroundings.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|last=Maslin |first=Janet |title=Review/Film; A Fall Guy as Antihero |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DE153DF931A35751C1A96E948260 |date=2 December 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304022159/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DE153DF931A35751C1A96E948260 |archive-date= 4 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His performance in ''Airplane!'' marked a turning point which made him "the [[Laurence Olivier|Olivier]] of spoofs", according to film critic [[Roger Ebert]],<ref name="Ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Scary Movie 3 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031024/REVIEWS/310240305/1023 |date=24 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205142216/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20031024%2FREVIEWS%2F310240305%2F1023 |archive-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2017 }}</ref> and led to further success in the genre, starring in [[The Naked Gun|''The Naked Gun'' film series]], based on his earlier short-lived television series ''[[Police Squad!]]''

He received a variety of awards and was inducted onto [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] and the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].

==Early life==
Nielsen was born on February 11, 1926, in [[Regina, Saskatchewan]].<ref name="ComedyCloset">{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Bob|title=Worth the Rent|work=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|date=24 May 1996|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampatribune/access/38300832.html?dids=38300832:38300832&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+24%2C+1996&author=Bob+Ross&pub=Tampa+Tribune&desc=WORTH+THE+RENT&pqatl=google|format=Fee required|access-date=28 November 2010}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His mother, Mabel Elizabeth (''{{née}}'' Davies), was an immigrant from [[Wales]], and his father, Ingvard Eversen Nielsen (1900–1975), was a [[Danish Canadians|Danish]]-born constable in the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]].<ref name=eofy>{{Cite book|last=Simpson|first=Kieran|title=Canadian Who's Who, Volume 15|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1980|isbn=0-8020-4579-0}}</ref><ref name="CanadianWho">{{cite book|title=Canadian Who's Who 2003, Volume 38|author=Lumley, Elizabeth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aNuphN-Vh_oC&q=Ingvard%20and%20Maybelle%20Nielsen&pg=PA1013|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=2003|isbn=0-8020-8865-1|page=1,103}}</ref><ref name="DanWal">{{cite news|title=Leslie Nielsen, the comic with the Danish roots: "Comedy is what endures"|work=Scandinavian Press|date=31 March 1997|volume=4|issue=1|id={{ProQuest|218390756}}}}</ref> Nielsen's elder brother, [[Erik Nielsen]] (1924–2008), was a long-time Canadian Member of Parliament, cabinet minister, and [[Deputy Prime Minister of Canada]] from 1984 to 1986.<ref>{{cite news|title=Erik Nielsen dies at B.C. at 84 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080905.wobitnielsen0905/BNStory/National/home |date=5 September 2008 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203013558/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/article707221.ece |archive-date= 3 December 2010 |location=Toronto |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also had a half-brother, Gilbert Nielsen, from his father's other relationship.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-11-29|title=''The Naked Gun'' actor Leslie Nielsen dies at age 84|url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/mobile/the-naked-gun-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies-at-age-84-1.580341|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Montreal|language=en|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212204629/https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/mobile/the-naked-gun-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies-at-age-84-1.580341|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:HersholtBrotherswife.jpg|left|thumb|Nielsen's half-uncle [[Jean Hersholt]] (pictured here in the 1936 film ''[[His Brother's Wife]]'') inspired him to become an actor.]]

Nielsen's half-uncle [[Jean Hersholt]] was an actor known for his portrayal of [[Dr. Christian]] in a radio series of that title, and the subsequent television series and films.<ref name="nielsen1994"/><ref name=ote>{{Cite book|last=Nielsen|first=Leslie|author2=David Fisher |title=Leslie Nielsen the naked truth|publisher=Pocket Books|year=1994|page=289|isbn=0-671-79578-3}}</ref> In a 1994 ''[[The Boston Globe|Boston Globe]]'' article, he explained: "I did learn very early that when I would mention my uncle, people would look at me as if I were the biggest liar in the world. Then I would take them home and show them 8-by-10 glossies, and things changed quite drastically. So I began to think that maybe this acting business was not a bad idea, much as I was very shy about it and certainly without courage regarding it. My uncle died not too long after I was in a position to know him. I regret that I had not a chance to know him better."<ref name="nielsen1994"/>

As a child, Nielsen lived with his family in [[Tulita|Fort Norman]] (now Tulita) in the [[Northwest Territories]], where his father was with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They moved to [[Edmonton]] in 1930.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/funny-man-leslie-nielsen-returns-to-northern-roots-1.658158 cbc.ca]</ref><ref name="nielsen1994">{{cite news|last=Carr|first=Jay|title=If Leslie Nielsen has learned anything, it's how to play slapstick with a ... straight face|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61932233.html?dids=61932233:61932233&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+13%2C+1994&author=Jay+Carr%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=If+Leslie+Nielsen+has+learned+anything%2C+it%27s+how+to+play+slapstick+with+a.+.+.+straight+face&pqatl=google|format=Fee required|work=The Boston Globe|date=13 March 1994|access-date=1 December 2010|archive-date=24 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724235501/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61932233.html?dids=61932233:61932233&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+13%2C+1994&author=Jay+Carr%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=If+Leslie+Nielsen+has+learned+anything%2C+it%27s+how+to+play+slapstick+with+a.+.+.+straight+face&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="PlayingDefense">{{cite news|title=Playing Defense Funny Man Turns Serious with One-man Darrow Show|work=Chicago Tribune|date=30 January 2000|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/48598094.html?dids=48598094:48598094&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+30%2C+2000&author=Judy+Hevrdejs+Contributing%3A+Kaarin+Tisue%2C+Gary+Dretzka&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=PLAYING+DEFENSE+FUNNY+MAN+TURNS+SERIOUS+WITH+ONE-MAN+DARROW+SHOW&pqatl=google|format=Fee required|access-date=1 December 2010|archive-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725010133/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/48598094.html?dids=48598094:48598094&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+30%2C+2000&author=Judy+Hevrdejs+Contributing%3A+Kaarin+Tisue%2C+Gary+Dretzka&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=PLAYING+DEFENSE+FUNNY+MAN+TURNS+SERIOUS+WITH+ONE-MAN+DARROW+SHOW&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father was an abusive man who beat his wife and sons, and Leslie longed to escape. Following graduation from Victoria High School (later renamed [[Victoria School of the Arts]]) in [[Edmonton]], he enlisted in the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] at age 17 in 1943,<ref name="whitehorse">[https://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/we-always-knew-him-as-a-funny-guy 'We always knew him as a funny guy'.] ''[[Whitehorse Star]]''. Retrieved June 21, 2021.</ref><ref name="complex">[https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2010/11/r-i-p-leslie-nielsen-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-naked-gun-actor R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen: 5 Things You Didn't Know About The "Naked Gun" Actor.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130161602/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2010/11/r-i-p-leslie-nielsen-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-naked-gun-actor|date=January 30, 2023}} [[Complex Networks]]. Retrieved June 21, 2021.</ref> though he was legally deaf (he wore hearing aids most of his life).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greencardguide.info/2010/12/01/naked-gun-airplane-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies|title=Biodata about Nielsen's abusive father|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817120528/http://greencardguide.info/2010/12/01/naked-gun-airplane-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies/|archive-date=17 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="Shirley">{{cite news|agency=[[Associated Press]] |title=Leslie Nielsen, RIP. "And don't call me Shirley" |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=29 November 2010 |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/people/leslie-nielsen-rip-and-dont-ca.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201025032/http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/people/leslie-nielsen-rip-and-dont-ca.html |archive-date= 1 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There he trained as an [[Air gunner|aerial gunner]] during [[World War II]] but was never sent overseas.<ref name="NoJokeDrama">{{cite news|agency=[[Reuters]]|title=No Joke! Nielsen in Drama|work=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|date=14 June 1996|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67786375.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102133735/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67786375.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2012|url-access=registration |access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref><ref>[https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/news/primetime-emmy-nominated-actor-leslie-nielsen-dies-84 Primetime Emmy-Nominated Actor Leslie Nielsen Dies at 84]</ref> Upon the war's end, he was discharged and worked briefly as a disc jockey<ref name="BBCobit">[https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-11862150 Obituary: Leslie Nielsen] [[BBC]]. Retrieved June 21, 2021.</ref><ref name="thehindu">[https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/lsquoNaked-Gunrsquo-lsquoAirplanersquo-actor-Leslie-Nielsen-dies/article15720737.ece 'Naked Gun,' 'Airplane' actor Leslie Nielsen dies.] ''[[The Hindu]]''. Retrieved June 21, 2021.</ref> at a Calgary, Alberta, radio station, before enrolling at the [[Lorne Greene]] Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto.<ref name="nielsen1994"/><ref name="NoSeriouslyNobody">{{cite news|last=Churchill|first=Bonnie|title=Leslie Nielsen Doesn't Take Himself Seriously, Nor Does Anyone Else|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=20 December 1997|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB050AC86F77B7D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|format=Fee required|access-date=1 December 2010|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021075116/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB050AC86F77B7D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While studying in Toronto, Nielsen received a scholarship to the [[Neighborhood Playhouse]]. He noted, "I couldn't refuse, but I must say when you come from the land of the snow goose, the moose, and wool to New York, you're bringing every ton of hayseed and country bumpkin that you packed. As long as I didn't open my mouth, I felt a certain security. But I always thought I was going to be unmasked: 'OK, pack your stuff'. 'Well, what's the matter?'. 'We've discovered you have no talent; we're shipping you back to Canada'."<ref name="nielsen1994"/>

He moved to New York City for his scholarship,<ref name="ComedyCloset"/> studying theatre and music at the Neighborhood Playhouse, while performing in [[summer stock theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|title=These New Faces Will Go Places in 1957!|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=6 January 1957|page=H16}}</ref> Afterward, he attended the [[Actors Studio]],<ref name="starsatwar">{{cite book|title=International Stars at War|first1=James E. Jr.|last1=Wise|author1-link=James E. Wise Jr.|first2=Scott|last2=Baron|location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=2002|isbn=1-55750-965-4|page=221}}</ref> until his first television appearance in 1950 on an episode of ''[[Westinghouse Studio One|Studio One]]'', alongside [[Charlton Heston]],<ref name="ShyAct">{{cite news|last=Arnold |first=William |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1988/8802020770.asp |title=Shy actor loves his life as a comic |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=6 December 1988 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101201061914/http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1988/8802020770.asp |archive-date= 1 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> for which he was paid $75 ({{Inflation|US|75|1950|r=-1|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="nielsen1994"/>

==Career==

===Early career===
{{quote box|quote="It was a strange era, the tail end of the golden age. A time when the Tiffany's of filmmakers was burying its head in the sand and trying to pretend that this new medium [television] was not happening."|width=30em|source=Nielsen reflecting on the era when he started acting<ref name="ShyAct"/>}}
Nielsen's career began in dramatic roles on television during "[[Golden Age of Television|Television's Golden Age]]",<ref>{{cite news|last=Terry |first=Clifford |title=Gunning for a Laugh |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-07-07/features/9101240994_1_drebin-police-squad-leslie-nielsen |date=7 July 1991 |work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel|Sun-Sentinel]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730072632/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-07-07/features/9101240994_1_drebin-police-squad-leslie-nielsen |archive-date= 30 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> appearing in 46 live programs in 1950 alone.<ref name="CBS"/> He said there "was very little gold, we only got $75 or $100 per show".<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|title=Leslie Nielsen |work=CBS |url=http://www.cbs.com/primetime/game_show_marathon/bios/leslie_bio.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314084744/http://www.cbs.com/primetime/game_show_marathon/bios/leslie_bio.shtml |archive-date= 14 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He narrated documentaries and commercials and most of his early work as a dramatic actor was uneventful.<ref name="AMG"/> Hal Erickson of [[AllRovi#History|Allmovie]] noted that "much of Nielsen's early work was undistinguished; he was merely a handsome leading man in an industry overstocked with handsome leading men".<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|last=Erickson |first=Hal |title=Biography |publisher=[[AllRovi#History|Allmovie]] |url=https://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:52664~T1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101201062524/http://www.allmovie.com/artist/52664 |archive-date= 1 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1952 Nielsen made his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut as Petty Officer Herbert in ''[[Seagulls Over Sorrento (play)|Seagulls Over Sorrento]]'', a short-lived transfer from the [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Brooks |title=' Seagulls Over Sorrento,' Comedy by Hugh Hastings, Launches New Theatrical Season Here |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/09/12/84354737.html?pageNumber=18 |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=New York Times |date=12 September 1952}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Seagulls Over Sorrento – Broadway Play – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/seagulls-over-sorrento-2334 |website=Internet Broadway Database |publisher=The Broadway League |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leslie Nielsen – Broadway Cast & Staff |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/leslie-nielsen-96806 |website=Internet Broadway Database |publisher=The Broadway League |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> In 1956, he made his feature film debut in the [[Michael Curtiz]]-directed musical, ''[[The Vagabond King (1956 film)|The Vagabond King]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Bob|title=Nielsen is Serious About Comic Side|work=[[Times Union (Albany)|The Times Union]]|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156673536.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105045330/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156673536.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|url-access=registration |date=9 September 1993|access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> In the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', Nielsen remembered Curtiz as "a sadist, a charming sadist, but a sadist".<ref name="ShyAct"/> Nielsen called this film ''The Vagabond Turkey''.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Andrew |last1=Dalton |first2=Bob |last2=Thomas |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2010/11/29/leslie_nielsen_84_versatile_actors_career_took_off_with_comedies/?p1=News_links |title=Leslie Nielsen, 84; versatile actor's career took off with comedies |work=The Boston Globe |date=29 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202073700/http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2010/11/29/leslie_nielsen_84_versatile_actors_career_took_off_with_comedies/?p1=News_links |archive-date= 2 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though the film was not a success, producer [[Nicholas Nayfack]] offered him an audition for the science-fiction film ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'', resulting in Nielsen's taking a long contract with [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM).<ref name="ShyAct"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Bob|title=The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear – Funnyman Nielsen Used to be Serious|work=[[The Cincinnati Post]]|date=28 June 1991|page=1C}}</ref>

[[File:ForbiddenPlanet1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.13|Nielsen and [[Anne Francis]] in his second film, ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'' (1956). Nielsen: "Supposedly a science-fiction version of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Tempest]]'', it was all about the [[Id, ego and superego|id]], or something like that. Who knows? The [[Trekkie]]s today regard it as the forerunner of ''[[Star Trek]]''. I just had to wear a tight uniform and make eyes at Anne Francis. I was pretty thin back then."<ref>{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=Mal|title=It's no Fun Playing it Straight|work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFF73225441804&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|format=Fee required|date=18 March 1994|access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref>]]
''Forbidden Planet'' became an instant success,<ref name="RTForbidden">{{cite web|title=Forbidden Planet (1956)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/forbidden_planet/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref> and roles in other MGM films such as ''[[Ransom!]]'' (1956), ''[[The Opposite Sex]]'' (1956) and ''[[Hot Summer Night (1957 film)|Hot Summer Night]]'' (1957) followed.<ref>{{cite news|title=From Drebin to Darrow|work=[[The Pantagraph]]|author=Craft, Dan|date=24 September 1999|page=D1}}</ref> In 1957, Nielsen won the lead role opposite [[Debbie Reynolds]] in the [[romantic comedy]] ''[[Tammy and the Bachelor]]'' for [[Universal Pictures]], which, as a ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' critic wrote in 1998, made people consider him a dramatic actor and handsome romantic lead.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nielsen Still Kicking in 'Wrongfully Accused'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=24 August 1998|author=Petrakis, John|page=2}}</ref> Dissatisfied with the films he was offered, calling the studios "a Tiffany, which had forgotten how to make silver", he left MGM after auditioning for Messala in the 1959 ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]''. [[Stephen Boyd]] got the role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leslie Nielsen comes home for CBC's 50th – Veteran actor and comedian is the host of comedy special|work=[[Toronto Star]]|date=18 August 2002|author=Bawden, Jim|page=D3}}</ref><ref name="BenHur">{{cite news|last=Clark |first=Mike |title=New on DVD |work=[[USA Today]] |date=15 September 2005 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-09-15-new-on-dvd_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212090244/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-09-15-new-on-dvd_x.htm |archive-date= 12 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After leaving the studios, Nielsen landed the lead role in the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] miniseries ''[[The Swamp Fox (TV series)|The Swamp Fox]]'', as [[American Revolutionary War]] hero [[Francis Marion]].<ref name="SwampFox"/> In a 1988 interview, he reflected on the series: "That was a great experience, because the Disney people didn't do their shows like everyone else, knocking out an episode a week. ... We only had to do an episode a month, and the budgets were extremely high for TV at that time. We had location shooting rather than cheap studio backdrops, and very authentic costumes."<ref>{{cite news|title=Nielsen Makes the 'First String' in Films|work=[[The Post-Standard]]|date=12 December 1988|author=Brode, Doug|page=D10}}</ref> Eight episodes were produced and aired between 1959 and 1961.<ref name="SwampFox">{{cite news|title=Stargazing answers your questions; 'The Swamp Fox'; 'Silent Night, Lonely Night'|work=[[The Kansas City Star]]|date=9 December 2009|last=Wahl|first=Ken|page=D12}}</ref>

[[File:Leslie Nielsen Nancy Malone Bonanza 1967.jpg|thumb|190px|Nielsen and [[Nancy Malone]] in ''[[Bonanza]]'' (1967)]]

His television appearances include ''[[Justice (1954 TV series)|Justice]]'', ''The Swamp Fox'', ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'', ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]'', ''[[Wagon Train]]'', ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', ''[[Columbo]]'', ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' and ''[[The Wild Wild West]]''. In 1961, he was the lead in a Los Angeles police drama called ''[[The New Breed (TV series)|The New Breed]]''. He guest-starred in a 1964 episode of ''[[Daniel Boone (1964 TV series)|Daniel Boone]]'' with [[Fess Parker]] in a minor but credited role. In 1965 he guest-starred in 19 episodes of ''[[Peyton Place (TV series)|Peyton Place]]'' in two roles, Vincent & Kenneth Markham, identical twins with distinctly different personalities.

In 1968, he had a major role in the pilot for the police series ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'' and appeared in one of the seventh-season episodes. In 1969, he had the leading role as a police officer in ''[[The Bold Ones: The Protectors]]''.

In 1972, Nielsen appeared in the supporting role as the captain of the doomed ocean liner SS ''Poseidon'' in the [[disaster film|disaster epic]], ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]''. He also starred in [[William Girdler]]'s 1977 action film, ''Project: Kill''. He was cast in the 1979 Canadian disaster film ''[[City on Fire (1979 film)|City on Fire]]'', in which he portrayed a corrupt mayor. In 1980, he guest-starred as Sinclair in the [[CBS]] TV [[miniseries]] ''[[The Chisholms]]''.

===Comedy: ''Airplane!'' and ''The Naked Gun''===
{{Main|Airplane!|The Naked Gun}}

In an early comedic appearance, Nielsen appeared on ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'' in 1973 as the title character in "[[The Ringbanger]]".

Nielsen's supporting role of Dr. Rumack in [[Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker]]'s (ZAZ) 1980's ''[[Airplane!]]'' was a turning point in his career. The film, a parody of disaster films such as ''[[Zero Hour!]]'' and ''[[Airport (1970 film)|Airport]]'', was based on building a comedy around "serious" actors better known for their dramatic roles. Other "straight" stars in the film included [[Robert Stack]], [[Peter Graves]], and [[Lloyd Bridges]].

Nielsen's deadpan delivery contrasted with the absurdity surrounding him. When asked, "Surely you can't be serious?", his curt, now iconic response was: "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley." In several later interviews, he reflected on the line: "I thought it was amusing, but it never occurred to me that it was going to become a trademark. It's such a surprise&nbsp;... the thing comes out, people say, 'What did he say?!{{'"}}<ref name="KJZZ">{{cite web |title=Leslie Nielsen Interview (Radio) |publisher=KJZZ 91.5 FM |url=http://kjzz.org/news/arizona/archives/200402/leslieneilsen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521130007/http://kjzz.org/news/arizona/archives/200402/leslieneilsen |archive-date= 21 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nielsen said he was "pleased and honoured that [he] had a chance to deliver that line".<ref name="YahooNe"/> As of 2010, the comedic exchange was at number 79 on the [[American Film Institute]]'s [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes]].<ref name="AFI">{{cite web |title=AFI.com |work=AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes |url=http://www.afi.com/100years/quotes.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714151852/http://www.afi.com/100years/quotes.aspx |archive-date= 14 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The American Film Institute included the film in its list of the top ten comedy films of all time in 2008,<ref name="MIL">{{cite news| last=Dudek| first=Duane| title=25 years and still laughing; Airplane!' maintains its cruising| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=332493|access-date=23 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430053901/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=332493 |archive-date=30 April 2008}}</ref> and a 2007 survey in the United Kingdom judged it the second-greatest comedy film of all time after ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]''.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4573444.stm "Life of Brian named best comedy"]. [[BBC News]]. Retrieved 18 January 2014</ref> In 2012, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' voted it number one in the 50 Funniest Comedies Ever poll.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.empireonline.com/features/50comedy/default.asp?film=1| title=The 50 Funniest Comedies Ever – 1. Airplane!| work=empireonline.com}}</ref> Critics praised the film, which also proved a long-term success with audiences.<ref name="RT1">{{cite web|title=Airplane! (1980)| work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/airplane/| access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref> In 2010, ''Airplane!'' was selected for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]].<ref name="congress">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaseG0DbTvl6sIv1uPc-xelSmvjg?docId=c086d710fa42415cbeff1a6a2f80aa36|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231205322/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaseG0DbTvl6sIv1uPc-xelSmvjg?docId=c086d710fa42415cbeff1a6a2f80aa36|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2010|title='Empire Strikes Back' among 25 film registry picks|access-date=28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="hollreporter">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-strikes-airplane-25-movies-65915|title='Empire Strikes Back,' 'Airplane!' Among 25 Movies Named to National Film Registry |access-date=28 December 2010 | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Mike |last=Barnes |date=28 December 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230174923/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-strikes-airplane-25-movies-65915 |archive-date=30 December 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The directors cast Nielsen for his ability to play like "a fish in water", saying: "You could have cast funny people and done it with everybody winking, goofing off, and silly&nbsp;... we wanted people to be oblivious to the comedy."<ref name="MIL"/> For Nielsen, ''Airplane!'' marked a career shift from dramatic roles to [[deadpan|deadpan comedy]]. When it was suggested his role in ''Airplane!'' was [[Typecasting (acting)|against type]], Nielsen protested that he had "always been cast against type before", and that comedy was what he always wanted to do.<ref name="CastType">{{cite news |last1=Dalton |first1=Andrew |last2=Thomas |first2=Bob |title='Airplane!', 'Forbidden Planet' actor Nielsen dies |work=[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]] |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_LESLIE_NIELSEN?SITE=TXMCA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208205723/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_LESLIE_NIELSEN?SITE=TXMCA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-date= 8 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1982, ZAZ cast Nielsen in a similar style, in their [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC TV]] series ''[[Police Squad!]]''. The spoof series introduced Nielsen as Lt. [[Frank Drebin]], the stereotypical police officer modeled after serious characters, such as [[Joe Friday]], in earlier police TV dramas.

The opening sequence for ''Police Squad!'' was based on the 1950s show ''[[M Squad]]'', which starred [[Lee Marvin]], and opened with footage of a [[police car]] roving through a dark urban setting with a big band playing a jazz song in the background. The [[Hank Simms]] voice-over and the show's organization into acts with an epilogue was homage to [[Quinn Martin]] police dramas including ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'', ''[[Barnaby Jones]]'', ''[[The F.B.I. (TV series)|The F.B.I.]]'', ''[[Dan August]]'' and ''[[Cannon (TV series)|Cannon]]''. Nielsen portrayed a serious character whose one-liners appeared accidental next to the pratfalls and sight gags that were happening around him. Nielsen received an [[Emmy Award]] nomination for his performance, and despite positive critical reviews, the series was cancelled after just six episodes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/leslie-nielsen |title=Leslie Nielsen |work=Television Academy}}</ref><ref name="BIO">{{cite web |title=Leslie Nielsen |publisher=[[The Biography Channel]] |url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/150:519/1/Leslie_Nielsen.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525025049/https://www.webcitation.org/5ufWoKHlM?url=http://public2.bio.lalababy.co.uk/biographies/leslie-nielsen.html |archive-date= 25 May 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Six years after the cancellation of ''Police Squad!'', the film ''[[The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!]]'' returned Nielsen to his role as Frank Drebin. It involved a ruthless drug king using [[hypnosis]] to attempt an assassination on Queen [[Elizabeth II]]. Nielsen did many of his own stunts: "You have an idea of how you're going to do something, and it's your vision&nbsp;... unless you do it, it really doesn't stand a chance."<ref name="KJZZ"/> This movie grossed over $78&nbsp;million and was well received by critics.<ref name="MOJO">{{cite web |title=The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nakedgun.htm |access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="RT2">{{cite web |title=The Naked Gun – From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=2 December 1988 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/naked_gun_from_the_files_of_police_squad/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref> Ebert's {{frac|3|1|2}}–star review (out of four) noted: "You laugh, and then you laugh at yourself for laughing."<ref name="Ebert2">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=The Naked Gun |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19881202/REVIEWS/812020301/1023 |date=12 December 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109114346/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19881202%2FREVIEWS%2F812020301%2F1023 |archive-date=9 November 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2017 }}</ref>

''The Naked Gun'' spawned two sequels: ''[[The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear]]'' (1991) and ''[[Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult|Naked Gun {{frac|33|1|3}}: The Final Insult]]'' (1994). ''The Naked Gun 2½'' grossed more than the original, with $86.9 million, while ''{{frac|33|1|3}}'' grossed $51.1 million.<ref name="MOJO2">{{cite web|title=The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thenakedgun2.htm|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="MOJO3">{{cite web|title=The 33 1/3: The Final Insult|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thenakedgun3.htm|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref> Nielsen remained open to a fourth ''Naked Gun'' film, although he doubted that it would be produced — "I don't think so", he said in 2005. "If there hasn't been one by now, I doubt it. I think it would be wonderful."<ref name="About">{{cite news |last=Topel |first=Fred|title=Scary Movie 3 |publisher=[[About.com]] |url=http://actionadventure.about.com/cs/weeklystories/a/aa102403.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225060616/http://actionadventure.about.com/cs/weeklystories/a/aa102403.htm |archive-date=25 December 2005 |access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref>

Nielsen briefly appeared on the [[World Wrestling Federation]] program in the summer of 1994 on ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]]'', spoofing the role of Frank Drebin. Nielsen and ''Naked Gun'' co-star [[George Kennedy]] were hired as sleuths to unravel the mystery of [[the Undertaker]], who had disappeared at January's [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]] event. At [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam 1994]], in a ''Naked Gun'' parody, they were hot on the case (in fact, they were standing on a case). Although they did not find the Undertaker, the case had been closed (the literal case had been shut), thus they solved the mystery.<ref name=wcrap>{{cite book|title=Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling|last=Baer|first=Randy|author2=R.D. Reynolds|publisher=ECW Press|year=2003|page=[https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/168 168]|isbn=1-55022-584-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/168}}</ref> In 1990, Nielsen appeared as a Frank Drebin type character in advertisements for [[Red Rock Cider]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmstories.co.uk/features/leslie-nielsen-and-the-advertising-campaign-that-sort-of-let-him-become-frank-drebin-again/|title=Leslie Nielsen, and the adverts that (sort of) let him become Frank Drebin again|author=Brew, Simon|publisher=Film Stories |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> In 1992, Nielsen appeared in the series finale for ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' as Lucas, who was Blanche's uncle and Dorothy's boyfriend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/29/leslie-nielsen-career|author=Freeman, Hadley|title=Leslie Nielsen: the doyen of deadpan|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2010}}</ref>

Nielsen's few dramatic roles following his comedic success in ''Airplane!'' included the [[horror films]] ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]'' (1980) and ''[[Creepshow]]'' (1982). He appeared as a dramatic and unsympathetic character in the 1986 comedy ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]''. His final dramatic role was as Allen Green, a violent client killed in self-defense by prostitute Claudia Draper ([[Barbra Streisand]]) in [[Martin Ritt]]'s courtroom drama ''[[Nuts (1987 film)|Nuts]]'' (1987).

===Later comedies===
After ''Airplane!'' and ''The Naked Gun'', Nielsen portrayed similarly styled roles in a number of other films. These mostly emulated the style of ''The Naked Gun'' with varying success and often targeted specific films; many were panned by critics, and most performed poorly. ''[[Repossessed (film)|Repossessed]]'' (1990) and ''[[2001: A Space Travesty]]'' (2001) are parodies of ''[[The Exorcist]]'' and ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', respectively. Both attempted [[absurd humour|absurd comedy]], but were poorly received.<ref name="RT5">{{cite web|title=Repossessed|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=14 September 1990 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/repossessed/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="RT6">{{cite web|title=2001: A Space Travesty (2001)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=19 March 2002 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/2001_a_space_travesty/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref> Even a leading role in a [[Mel Brooks]] comic horror, ''[[Dracula: Dead and Loving It]]'', failed to generate much box-office excitement, although it did gain a following in a later release to video. Both 1996's ''[[Spy Hard]]'' and 1998's ''[[Wrongfully Accused]]'', a parody of [[James Bond in film|James Bond films]] and ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]'', were popular on video, but not well received by critics.<ref name="RT3">{{cite web|title=Spy Hard|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=3 July 2005 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spy_hard/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="RT4">{{cite web|title=Wrongfully Accused|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=23 July 1998 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wrongfully_accused/|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref>

His attempt at family and children's comedies met additional criticism. He appeared as [[Santa Claus]] in the Christmas comedy ''[[All I Want for Christmas (film)|All I Want for Christmas]]'' (1991), a film that was at best only moderately successful at the box office,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3296298497/weekend/|title=All I Want for Christmas (1991)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=2023-06-15}}</ref> and had bad reviews. ''[[Surf Ninjas]]'' (1993) and ''[[Mr. Magoo (film)|Mr. Magoo]]'' (1997) also had scathing reviews. Several critics were disappointed that Nielsen's role in ''Surf Ninjas'' was only "an extended cameo" and Chris Hicks recommended that viewers "avoid any comedy that features Leslie Nielsen outside of the ''Naked Gun'' series".<ref name="Variety">{{cite news|last=Kimmel |first=Daniel M. |title=Surf Ninjas |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117901158.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=daniel+and+kimmel&display=daniel+kimmel |date=23 August 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209134208/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117901158?refcatid=31 |archive-date= 9 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="DNews">{{cite news|last=Hicks |first=Chris |title=Surf Ninjas |work=[[Deseret News]] |url=http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,1780,00.html |date=26 August 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209043416/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700001778/Surf-Ninjas.html |archive-date= 9 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jeff Miller of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' panned ''Mr. Magoo'', a live-action remake of the [[Mr. Magoo|1950s cartoon]]: "I'm supposed to suggest how the film might be better, but I can't think of anything to say other than to make the film again."<ref name="HChron">{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Jeff|title=Looking for laughs? 'Magoo' loses its way|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|url=http://www.chron.com/cgi-bin/auth/story/content/chronicle/ae/movies/reviews/1225magoo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125230821/http://www.chron.com/cgi-bin/auth/story/content/chronicle/ae/movies/reviews/1225magoo.html |archive-date=25 January 2008|access-date=23 February 2009}}</ref>

Nielsen's first major success since ''The Naked Gun'' came in a supporting role in ''[[Scary Movie 3]]'' (2003). His appearance as President Harris led to a second appearance in its sequel, ''[[Scary Movie 4]]'' (2006). This was the first time Nielsen had reprised a character since Frank Drebin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/movies-that-define-leslie-nielsen/|title=A career in three acts: The movies that define Leslie Nielsen|author=Simmons, Jacob|work=Far Out|date=14 November 2024}}</ref> In one scene, Nielsen appeared almost nude, and reviewer [[James Berardinelli]] referred to the scene as putting "the 'scary' in ''Scary Movie 4''".<ref name="RVs">{{cite news|last=Berardinelli |first=James |title=Scary Movie 4 |publisher=ReelViews |url=http://www.reelviews.net/movies/s/scary_movie4.html |year=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219213229/http://reelviews.net/movies/s/scary_movie4.html |archive-date= 19 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Video, stage, and celebrity productions===
Nielsen also produced instructional golf videos, which are not presented in a serious style, beginning with 1993's ''[[Bad Golf Made Easier]]''. The videos combine comedy with golf techniques. The series spawned two additional sequels, ''[[Bad Golf My Way]]'' (1994) and ''[[Stupid Little Golf Video]]'' (1997). Nielsen also co-wrote a fictional autobiography titled [[The Naked Truth (novel)|''The Naked Truth'']]. The book portrays Nielsen as a popular actor with a long history of prestigious films.

In his 80s, Nielsen performed serious roles on screen and stage (such as his one-man theatre show ''Darrow'', in which he played [[Clarence Darrow]]), as well as providing voice-overs and appearances for commercials (including spots for a credit union in Arizona, where he owned a secondary residence), cartoons such as ''[[Zeroman]]'', where he had the leading role/voice, children's shows, such as ''Pumper Pups'', which he narrated, and comedic film roles. The sibling relationship with his elder brother, [[the Honourable]] [[Erik Nielsen]], a former [[Prime Minister of Canada|Deputy Prime Minister of Canada]], served as the premise of an [[HBO]] [[mockumentary]] entitled ''[[The Canadian Conspiracy]]'', in which Leslie Nielsen appeared along with other prominent Canadian-born media personalities. He was a celebrity contestant on CBS's ''[[Gameshow Marathon (U.S. TV series)|Gameshow Marathon]]'', where he played ''[[The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)|The Price Is Right]]'', ''[[Let's Make a Deal]]'', ''[[Beat the Clock]]'', and ''[[Press Your Luck]]'' for charity.<ref name="CBS"/>

===Final acting years===
[[File:Leslie nielsen at moravian college.JPG|upright=0.8|thumb|Nielsen in March 2009 at [[DeSales University]] in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania]]]]
Beginning in February 2007, Nielsen began playing a small role as a doctor in the humorous yet educational television show ''[[Doctor*Ology]]''. The show chronicles real-life medical techniques and technology on the [[Discovery Channel]]. Nielsen said:<ref name="YahooNe">{{cite news|title=Legendary Leslie Nielsen reluctant to slow down at 81|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|date=2 March 2007}}</ref>
{{Blockquote
|text=There are any number of things that you think about when you ponder if you hadn't been an actor, what would you be, and I've always said I'd like to be an astronaut or a doctor. I have such admiration for doctors. I just don't know how you go around to thank them enough for coming up with the world's most remarkable new discoveries.
}}

In 2007, Nielsen starred in the drama ''[[Music Within]]''. In 2008, he portrayed a version of [[Uncle Ben]] for ''[[Superhero Movie]]'', a spoof of [[superhero]] films. He then appeared in the 2008 parody ''[[An American Carol]]'', which David Zucker directed, produced, and co-wrote. He appeared in the 2009 parody ''[[Stan Helsing]]''. Nielsen portrayed the doctor in the Spanish horror comedy ''[[Spanish Movie]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34842/spanish-movie-looking-bring-some-comedy-spanish-horror |title=Spanish Movie Looking to Bring Some Comedy into Spanish Horror |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003125134/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34842/spanish-movie-looking-bring-some-comedy-spanish-horror |date=7 December 2009 |archive-date= 3 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a spoof comedy like ''Scary Movie'', but making fun of popular Spanish films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18301 |title='Spanish Movie' Spoofs Popular Flicks from Spain |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date=7 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310012048/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18301 |archive-date= 10 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Nielsen appeared in more than 100 films and 1,500 television episodes, portraying more than 220 characters.<ref name="CWOF">{{cite web|title=Leslie Nielsen, 2001 Inductee |work=Canadaswalkoffame.com |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/leslie-nielsen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203215817/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/leslie-nielsen |archive-date= 3 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="1500Greensboro">{{cite news|last=Leonard|first=J.T.|title=Nielsen Serious About Clarence Darrow Role|work=Greensboro News and Record|date=10 February 2000|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GB&p_theme=gb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF88A65E1BB178&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|format=Fee required|access-date=23 February 2009|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024050148/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GB&p_theme=gb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF88A65E1BB178&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}}</ref> From at least the early 1970s, he was a television commercial spokesperson for the [[Bank of Montreal]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Shell USA|Shell]] and [[Dollar Rent A Car|Dollar Rent-A-Car]], among many others; his earlier spots took advantage of his serious and authoritative persona, while later commercials were more humorous, mirroring his transition to comedic acting roles.

==Personal life==
{{Quote box|width=30em|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|quote="I'm afraid if I don't keep moving, they're going to catch me&nbsp;... I am 81 years old and I want to see what's around the corner, and I don't see any reason in the world not to keep working. But I am starting to value my down time a great deal because I am realizing there might be other things to do that I am overlooking."|source=—Nielsen reflecting on his career in 2007<ref name="YahooNe"/>}}

Nielsen married four times: to nightclub singer [[Monica Boyar]] (1950–1956), Alisande Ullman (1958–1973), Brooks Oliver (1981–1983), and Barbaree Earl (2001 – his death in 2010).<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web|title=Leslie Nielsen |work=[[Yahoo! Movies]] |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800014430/bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013925/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800014430/bio |archive-date= 4 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He had two daughters from his second marriage.<ref name="Yahoo"/>

Nielsen often played [[golf]].<ref name="Tribute">{{cite web|title=Leslie Nielsen |work=Tribute.ca |url=http://www.tribute.ca/people/leslie-nielsen/1314/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203031523/http://www.tribute.ca/people/leslie-nielsen/1314/ |archive-date= 3 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He joked, "I have no goals or ambition. I do, however, wish to work enough to maintain whatever celebrity status I have so that they will continue to invite me to golf tournaments."<ref name="Tribute"/> His interest in the sport led him to comedic instructional films.

Nielsen was a practical joker and known for pranking people with a portable hand-controlled [[Practical joke device#Embarrassing|fart machine]].<ref>Will Harris, [https://www.avclub.com/article/surely-you-cant-be-serious-oral-history-airplane-218043 "Surely You Can't Be Serious: An Oral History of ''Airplane!''"], ''A.V. Club'', 17 April 2015.</ref><ref>Cal Fussman, [http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a4348/leslie-nielsen-0408/ "What I've Learned: Interview with Leslie Nielsen"], ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', 28 November 2010.</ref><ref>See, e.g., [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7OiKj8Bvrw Leslie Nielsen using his fart machine on a British morning show].</ref> His epitaph reads "Let 'er rip", a final reference to his favorite practical joke.

In his later years, Nielsen and his wife Barbaree resided between homes in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], and [[Paradise Valley, Arizona]].

Nielsen was legally deaf and wore hearing aids for most of his life.<ref name=Shirley /> Because of this, he supported the Better Hearing Institute.<ref name="BHISupport">{{cite web|title=About BHI – Celebrities Who Have Supported BHI |work=Better Hearing Institute |url=http://www.betterhearing.org/about/celeb.cfm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729094259/http://www.betterhearing.org/about/celeb.cfm |archive-date= 29 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later in life, he had knee [[osteoarthritis]]. He participated in an educational video from The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, demonstrating the physical examination of a patient with knee osteoarthritis.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/irsc-cihr/MR12-4-2011-3-eng.pdf | title=Partner Corner | date=March 2011 | work=IMHA on the Move | publisher=CIHR – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis | page=4 | access-date=30 January 2016 }}</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Leslie_Nielsen_Headstone.jpg|alt=Leslie Nielsen Gravestone|thumb|Leslie Nielsen's gravestone bearing his epitaph, a final reference to his favorite practical joke, a [[Flatulence|fart]] machine]]
In November 2010, Nielsen was admitted to [[Holy Cross Hospital (Fort Lauderdale)|Holy Cross Hospital]], [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], Florida. On November 28, his nephew Doug told [[Winnipeg]] radio station [[CJOB]] that he died in his sleep from pneumonia around 5:30 p.m. EST, aged 84, surrounded by family and friends.<ref name="TorStar">{{cite news|last=Dalton |first=Andrew |title=Leslie Nielsen of 'Naked Gun' fame dies at age 84 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/898202--leslie-nielsen-of-naked-gun-fame-dies-at-age-84?bn=1 |date=28 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202025537/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/898202--leslie-nielsen-of-naked-gun-fame-dies-at-age-84?bn=1 |archive-date= 2 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CJOBAudio">{{cite news|title=Leslie Nielsen dead at 84 |publisher=[[CJOB]] |url=http://www.cjob.com/Landing/Story.aspx?ID=1318402 |date=28 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130145120/http://www.cjob.com/Landing/Story.aspx?ID=1318402 |archive-date= 30 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CanadaOn">{{cite news|agency=[[Postmedia News]] |url=http://www.canada.com/sports/baseball/Canadian+movie+star+Leslie+Nielsen+dead/3897133/story.html |title=Canadian movie star Leslie Nielsen dead at 84 |publisher=[[Postmedia News|Canada.com]] |date=2 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707220200/http://www.canada.com/sports/baseball/Canadian%20movie%20star%20Leslie%20Nielsen%20dead/3897133/story.html |archive-date= 7 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Nielsen's body is interred in Fort Lauderdale's Evergreen Cemetery. As a final bit of humour, he chose "Let 'er rip" as his [[epitaph]]. On December 7, 2010, his funeral was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during which the ''Naked Gun'' theme played.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lambiet |first=Jose |title=Leslie Nielsen's life celebrated at open-casket cocktail party |url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/leslie-nielsen-life-celebrated-open-casket-cocktail-party/A22uA5HTfoa6JFn1LwcqaJ/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>

==Achievements==
Among his awards, in 1995 Nielsen received [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s [[Jack Benny]] Award.<ref name="BIO"/> In 1988, he became the 1,884th personality to receive a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at 6541 Hollywood Blvd.<ref name="CityN">{{cite news|title=Leslie Nielsen Gets Star on Walk of Fame |work=[[Deseret News]] |url=http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/26629/LESLIE-NIELSEN-GETS-STAR-ON-WALK-OF-FAME.html |date=12 December 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813113423/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/26629/LESLIE-NIELSEN-GETS-STAR-ON-WALK-OF-FAME.html |archive-date= 13 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2001, he was inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]].<ref name="hon1">{{cite web|title=The Canada Honours |publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/leslie-nielsen |year=2010 |access-date=1 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203215817/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/leslie-nielsen |archive-date= 3 December 2010 }}</ref> The following year, he was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]], although he was also a naturalized American citizen.<ref name="Record">{{cite news|date=16 June 2005|title=Comedian returning home to host fundraiser|work=[[The Record (Sherbrooke)|The Record]]|url=http://www.royalcityrecord.com/issues05/063205/news/063205nn4.html|access-date=23 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825082417/http://www.royalcityrecord.com/issues05/063205/news/063205nn4.html|archive-date=25 August 2006}}</ref>

Despite Nielsen's American citizenship, he maintained his Canadian heritage: "There's no way you can be a Canadian and think you can lose it&nbsp;... Canadians are a goodly group. They are very aware of caring and helping."<ref name="Record"/> On May 19, 2005, when [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] visited his native [[Saskatchewan]] during the province's centennial gala, she was introduced to Nielsen.<ref name="Queen">{{cite news|title=The Royal Homecoming|work=Centennial|url=http://www.monarchist-nsb.ca/download/centennial-edition-league-news-2005.pdf.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704074620/http://www.monarchist-nsb.ca/download/centennial-edition-league-news-2005.pdf.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2007|url-status=usurped|access-date=22 February 2009}}</ref>

In 1997, a Golden Palm Star on the [[Palm Springs, California]], [[Palm Springs Walk of Stars|Walk of Stars]] was dedicated to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/web-storage/Stars/Stars%20dedicated%20by%20date.pdf|title=Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013165655/http://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/web-storage/Stars/Stars%20dedicated%20by%20date.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=November 2, 2019}}</ref>

On February 20, 2002, Nielsen was named an honorary citizen of [[West Virginia]] and an Ambassador of Mountain State Goodwill. Nielsen visited the state many times to speak and visit friends.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VPwrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2223,5021078&dq=leslie+nielsen&hl=en|title=Nielsen Honored By West Virginia|date=21 February 2002|work=Kentucky New Era|access-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> In 2003, in honour of Nielsen, [[MacEwan University|Grant MacEwan College]] named its school of communications after him.<ref name="CBCAwards">{{cite news|title=Leslie Nielsen wins excellence award |publisher=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/leslie-nielsen-wins-excellence-award-1.377174 |date=23 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227173344/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2003/10/23/nielsenaward231003.html |archive-date= 27 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2003, the [[ACTRA|Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists]] awarded him the ACTRA Award of Excellence.<ref name="CBCAwards"/>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Leslie Nielsen filmography}}

==Bibliography==
* 1993: ''[[The Naked Truth (novel)|The Naked Truth]]''
* 1995: ''Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Book'' with [[Henry Beard]]
* 1996: ''Bad Golf My Way'' with Henry Beard

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Canada}}
* {{Portal-inline|Biography}}
* {{Portal-inline|Film}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Leslie Nielsen}}
<!-- For external links, please only include those by official or professional sources. Please do not include personal webpages / fansites, non-English pages, obscure sites, or stores. -->
* {{AFI person | 98243-Leslie-Nielsen }}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* [http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/society/family/general-18/leslie-and-erik-neilsen-laugh-it-up.html CBC Digital Archives – Leslie and Erik Nielsen laugh it up]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nielsen, Leslie}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
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[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
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[[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]]
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