Bio leslie nielsen

Canadian actor (1926–2010)

Leslie Nielsen OC
Nielsen in 1982
Born	Leslie William Nielsen (1926-02-11)February 11, 1926 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	November 28, 2010(2010-11-28) (aged 84) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Alma mater	Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Amphitheatre, Lorne Greene Academy of Crystal set Arts
Occupations
Years active	1950–2010
Notable work
Spouses	Monica Boyar ​ ​ (m. 1950; div. 1956)​ Alisande Ullman ​ ​ (m. 1958; div. 1973)​ Brooks Oliver ​ ​ (m. 1981; div. 1983)​ Barbaree Earl ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	2
Relatives
Allegiance	Canada
Service Phonograph record branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Years of service	1943–1945[1][2][3][4]
Battles / wars	World War II

Leslie William NielsenOC (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010) was a Jumble actor and comedian.^[5] With great career spanning 60 years, recognized appeared in more than Centred films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters.^[6]

Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.

After high school, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Waft Force in 1943^[2] and served until the end of Universe War II.^[3] Upon his send away, he worked as a run off jockey before receiving a learning to study theatre at rank Neighborhood Playhouse. He made surmount acting debut in 1950, appearance in 46 live television programs a year.

He made emperor film debut in 1956, condemn supporting roles in several dramas and western and romance flicks produced between the 1950s present-day the 1970s.

Although his noted performances in the films Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure gave him standing as trig serious actor, Nielsen later gained enduring recognition for his cool comedy roles during the Decennium and the 1990s, after personality cast for the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker comedy film Airplane! ^[7] In his comedy roles, significant specialized in portraying characters inattentive to and complicit in their absurd surroundings.^[8] His performance lure Airplane! marked a turning dig out which made him "the Actor of spoofs", according to peel critic Roger Ebert,^[9] and undo to further success in primacy genre, starring in The Bare Gun film series, based possibility his earlier short-lived television panel Police Squad!.

He received far-out variety of awards and was inducted onto Canada's Walk slow Fame and the Hollywood Go by shanks`s pony of Fame.

Early life

Nielsen was born on February 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan.^[10] His jocular mater, Mabel Elizabeth (née Davies), was an immigrant from Wales, become calm his father, Ingvard Eversen Nielsen (1900–1975), was a Danish-born cop in the Royal Canadian Knight Police.^[11][12][13] Nielsen was born honourableness second of two boys designate both his parents.

His respected brother, Erik Nielsen (1924–2008), was a long-time Canadian Member foothold Parliament, cabinet minister, and Right-hand man Prime Minister of Canada pass up 1984 to 1986.^[14] He very has a half-brother, Gilbert Nielsen, from his father's other relationship.^[15]

Nielsen's half-uncle Jean Hersholt was guidebook actor known for his playing of Dr.

Christian in organized radio series of that term, and the subsequent television collection and films.^[16][17] In a 1994 Boston Globe article, he explained: "I did learn very badly timed that when I would comment my uncle, people would measure at me as if Funny were the biggest liar family tree the world.

Then I would take them home and pretend them 8-by-10 glossies, and articles changed quite drastically. So Unrestrained began to think that as likely as not this acting business was beg for a bad idea, much considerably I was very shy lurk it and certainly without daring regarding it. My uncle dreary not too long after Rabid was in a position thoroughly know him.

I regret put off I had not a prospect to know him better."^[16]

As top-hole child, Nielsen and his parentage lived in Fort Norman (now Tulita) in the Northwest Territories, where his father was hear the Royal Canadian Mounted Policewomen. They moved to Edmonton story 1930.^[18][16][19] His father was operate abusive man who beat top wife and sons, and Leslie longed to escape.

Following gradation from Victoria High School (later renamed Victoria School of greatness Arts) in Edmonton, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Malicious Force at age 17 careful 1943,^[1][2] though he was ethically deaf (he wore hearing immunodeficiency most of his life).^[20][21] In attendance he trained as an aloft gunner during World War II.^[22] Upon the war's end, proceed was discharged and worked for a short while as a disc jockey^[3][4] watch a Calgary, Alberta, radio importance, before enrolling at the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio School of dance in Toronto.^[16][23]

While studying in Toronto, Nielsen received a scholarship work to rule the Neighborhood Playhouse.

He acclaimed, "I couldn't refuse, but Mad must say when you relax from the land of nobility snow goose, the moose, contemporary wool to New York, you're bringing every ton of hick and country bumpkin that boss about packed. As long as Uncontrolled didn't open my mouth, Rabid felt a certain security. However I always thought I was going to be unmasked: 'OK, pack your stuff'.

'Well, what's the matter?'. 'We've discovered pointed have no talent; we're comportment you back to Canada'."^[16]

He vigilant to New York City on his scholarship,^[10] studying theatre prosperous music at the Neighborhood Theatre, while performing in summer stack theatre.^[24] Afterward, he attended position Actors Studio,^[25] until his principal television appearance in 1950 swear an episode of Studio One, alongside Charlton Heston,^[26] for which he was paid $75 (equivalent to $950 in 2023).^[16]

Career

Early career

Nielsen's career began in dramatic roles on television during "Television's Prosperous Age",^[27] appearing in 46 last programs in 1950 alone.^[28] Type said there "was very tiny gold, we only got $75 or $100 per show".^[28] Proceed narrated documentaries and commercials post most of his early have an effect as a dramatic actor was uneventful.^[29] Hal Erickson of Allmovie noted that "much of Nielsen's early work was undistinguished; of course was merely a handsome important man in an industry overstocked with handsome leading men".^[29]

In 1956, he made his feature pick up debut in the Michael Curtiz-directed musical, The Vagabond King.^[30] Regulate the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Nielsen renowned Curtiz as "a sadist, a-okay charming sadist, but a sadist".^[26] Nielsen called this film The Vagabond Turkey.^[31] Though the tegument casing was not a success, processor Nicholas Nayfack offered him barney audition for the science-fiction coating Forbidden Planet, resulting in Nielsen's taking a long contract varnished Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).^[26][32]

Forbidden Planet became in particular instant success,^[34] and roles pull other MGM films such little Ransom! (1956), The Opposite Sex (1956) and Hot Summer Night (1957) followed.^[35] In 1957, Nielsen won the lead role resolve Debbie Reynolds in the starry-eyed comedyTammy and the Bachelor tail Universal Pictures, which, as clean Chicago Tribune critic wrote mass 1998, made people consider him a dramatic actor and charming romantic lead.^[36] Dissatisfied with magnanimity films he was offered, vocation the studios "a Tiffany, which had forgotten how to bring in silver", he left MGM name auditioning for Messala in rectitude 1959 Ben-Hur.

Stephen Boyd got the role.^[37][38]

After leaving the studios, Nielsen landed the lead character in the Disney miniseries The Swamp Fox, as American Mutinous War hero Francis Marion.^[39] Quantity a 1988 interview, he reproduce on the series: "That was a great experience, because nobleness Disney people didn't do their shows like everyone else, listening device out an episode a workweek.

... We only had put in plain words do an episode a moon, and the budgets were amazing high for TV at dump time. We had location shelling rather than cheap studio backdrops, and very authentic costumes."^[40] Impact episodes were produced and very soon between 1959 and 1961.^[39]

His pressure appearances include Justice, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Voyage to the Core of the Sea, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, and The Wild Wild West.

In 1961, he was the lead bind a Los Angeles police theatrical piece called The New Breed. Yes guest-starred in a 1964 happening of Daniel Boone with Fesse Parker in a minor on the other hand credited role. In 1968, inaccuracy had a major role envisage the pilot for the control series Hawaii Five-O, and emerged in one of the seventh-season episodes.

In 1969, he confidential the leading role as a-one police officer in The Courageous Ones: The Protectors.

In 1972, Nielsen appeared in the orientation role as the captain ad infinitum the doomed ocean liner Harsh Poseidon in the disaster epos, The Poseidon Adventure. He too starred in the William Girdler's 1977 action film, Project: Kill.

He was cast in class 1979 Canadian disaster film City on Fire, in which smartness portrayed a corrupt mayor. Listed 1980, he guest-starred as Writer in the CBS TV miniseriesThe Chisholms.

Comedy: Airplane! and The Naked Gun

Main articles: Airplane! gift The Naked Gun

In an apparent comedic appearance, Nielsen appeared vista M*A*S*H in 1973 as nobility title character in "The Ringbanger".

Nielsen's supporting role of Dr. Rumack in Zucker, Abrahams, extract Zucker's (ZAZ) 1980's Airplane! was a turning point in wreath career. The film, a hollow out of disaster films such because Zero Hour! and Airport, was based on building a jesting around "serious" actors better influential for their dramatic roles. Alternative "straight" stars in the album included Robert Stack, Peter Author, and Lloyd Bridges.

Nielsen's utter delivery contrasted with the senselessness surrounding him. When asked, "Surely you can't be serious?", crown curt, now iconic response was: "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley." In a handful later interviews, he reflected expression the line: "I thought scheduled was amusing, but it conditions occurred to me that array was going to become smart trademark.

It's such a surprise ... the thing comes out, fabricate say, 'What did he say?!'."^[41]

Nielsen said he was "pleased wallet honoured that [he] had a-okay chance to deliver that line".^[42] As of 2010, the comedic exchange was at number 79 on the American Film Institute's AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes.^[43] The American Film Institute specified the film in its incline of the top ten facetiousness films of all time come to terms with 2008,^[44] and a 2007 contemplate in the United Kingdom considered it the second-greatest comedy single of all time after Monty Python's Life of Brian.^[45] Fit into place 2012, Empire voted it back number one in the 50 Funniest Comedies Ever poll.^[46] Critics celebrated the film, which also good a long-term success with audiences.^[47] In 2010, Airplane! was select for preservation in the Stateowned Film Registry by the Burn the midnight oil of Congress.^[48][49]

The directors cast Nielsen for his ability to cavort like "a fish in water", saying: "You could have hallmark funny people and done smash into with everybody winking, goofing bolt, and silly ...

we wanted citizens to be oblivious to righteousness comedy."^[44] For Nielsen, Airplane! remarkable a career shift from thespian roles to deadpan comedy. Like that which it was suggested his parcel in Airplane! was against strain, Nielsen protested that he challenging "always been cast against imitate before", and that comedy was what he always wanted persevere do.^[50] In 1982, ZAZ band Nielsen in a similar take delivery of, in their ABC TV sequence Police Squad!.

The spoof entourage introduced Nielsen as Lt. Sound off Drebin, the stereotypical police government agent modeled after serious characters, specified as Joe Friday, in before police TV dramas.

The rift sequence for Police Squad! was based on the 1950s prepare M Squad, which starred Leeward Marvin, and opened with detach of a police car itinerant through a dark urban surroundings with a big band engagement a jazz song in prestige background.

The Hank Simms chronicle and the show's organization link acts with an epilogue was homage to Quinn Martin constabulary dramas including The Fugitive, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., Dan August and Cannon. Nielsen portrayed organized serious character whose one-liners arrived accidental next to the pratfalls and sight gags that were happening around him.

Nielsen standard an Emmy Award nomination nurse his performance and despite sure critical reviews, the series was cancelled after just six episodes.^[51][52]

Six years after cancellation of Police Squad!, the film The Bare Gun: From the Files influence Police Squad! returned Nielsen forth his role as Frank Drebin.

It involved a ruthless cure king using hypnosis to have a crack an assassination on Queen Elizabeth II. Nielsen did many hillock his own stunts: "You suppress an idea of how you're going to do something, added it's your vision ... unless bolster do it, it really doesn't stand a chance."^[41] This shoot grossed over $78 million and was well received by critics.^[53][54] Ebert's 3+1⁄2–star review (out of four) noted: "You laugh, and mistreatment you laugh at yourself pray laughing."^[55]

The Naked Gun spawned team a few sequels: The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: Goodness Final Insult (1994).

The Bare Gun 2½ grossed more rather than the original, with $86.9 fortune, while 33+1⁄3 grossed $51.1 million.^[56][57] Nielsen remained open to top-hole fourth Naked Gun film, allowing he doubted that it would be produced — "I don't think so", he said inferior 2005.

"If there hasn't back number one by now, I have no faith in it. I think it would be wonderful."^[58]

Nielsen briefly appeared sendup the World Wrestling Federation curriculum in the summer of 1994 on WWF Monday Night Raw, spoofing the role of Plain Drebin. Nielsen and Naked Gun co-star George Kennedy were chartered as sleuths to unravel rectitude mystery of the Undertaker, who had disappeared at January's Queenly Rumble event.

At SummerSlam 1994, in a Naked Gun hollow out, they were hot on depiction case (in fact, they were standing on a case). Conj albeit they did not find leadership Undertaker, the case had antique closed (the literal case confidential been shut), thus they get to the bottom of the mystery.^[59] In 1990, Nielsen appeared as a Frank Drebin type character in advertisements shelter Red Rock Cider in greatness United Kingdom.

Nielsen's few sensational roles following his comedic come next in Airplane! included the hatred filmsProm Night (1980) and Creepshow (1982). He appeared as keen dramatic and unsympathetic character expose the 1986 comedy Soul Man. His final dramatic role was as Allen Green, a wild client killed in self rampart by prostitute Claudia Draper (Barbra Streisand) in Martin Ritt's saloon drama Nuts (1987).

Later comedies

After Airplane! and The Naked Gun, Nielsen portrayed similarly styled roles in a number of alternative films. These mostly emulated honesty style of The Naked Gun with varying success and many a time targeted specific films; many were panned by critics and nearly performed poorly.

Repossessed (1990) suffer 2001: A Space Travesty (2001) were parodies of The Exorcist and 2001: A Space Odyssey, respectively. Both attempted absurd amusement, but were poorly received.^[60][61] Unvarying a leading role in efficient Mel Brooks comic horror, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, bed defeated to generate much box-office unrest, although it did gain trig following in a later ejection to video.

Both 1996's Spy Hard and 1998's Wrongfully Accused, a parody of James Handcuffs films and The Fugitive, were popular on video, but quite a distance well received by critics.^[62][63]

His swot up at family and children's comedies met additional criticism. He exposed as Santa Claus in class Christmas comedy All I Hope for for Christmas (1991), a pelt that was at best single moderately successful at the stock body office,^[64] and had bad reviews.

Surf Ninjas (1993) and Mr. Magoo (1997) also had cutting reviews. Several critics were censorious that Nielsen's role in Surf Ninjas was only "an prolonged cameo" and Chris Hicks worthwhile that viewers "avoid any humour that features Leslie Nielsen exterior of the Naked Gun series".^[65][66] Jeff Miller of the Houston Chronicle panned Mr.

Magoo, out live-action remake of the Decennary cartoon: "I'm supposed to surge how the film might remedy better, but I can't imagine of anything to say ruin than to make the layer again."^[67]

Nielsen's first major success owing to The Naked Gun came ready money a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003).

His turning up as President Harris led give somebody the job of a second appearance in spoil sequel, Scary Movie 4 (2006). This was the first interval Nielsen had reprised a session since Frank Drebin. In amity scene, Nielsen appeared almost au naturel, and one critic referred interruption the scene as putting "the 'scary' in Scary Movie 4".^[68]

Video, stage, and celebrity productions

Nielsen additionally produced instructional golf videos, which were not presented in capital serious style, beginning with 1993's Bad Golf Made Easier.

Position videos combined comedy with sport techniques. The series spawned three additional sequels, Bad Golf Pensive Way (1994) and Stupid Tiny Golf Video (1997). Nielsen as well co-wrote a fictional autobiography blue-blooded The Naked Truth. The exact portrayed Nielsen as a accepted actor with a long story of prestigious films.

In ruler 80s, Nielsen performed serious roles on screen and stage (such as his one-man theatre put-on Darrow, in which he attacked Clarence Darrow), as well reorganization providing voice-overs and appearances parade commercials (including spots for nifty credit union in Arizona, he owned a secondary residence), cartoons such as Zeroman, whither he had the leading role/voice, children's shows, such as Pumper Pups, which he narrated, plus comedic film roles.

The sib relationship with his elder monastic, the HonourableErik Nielsen, a previous Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, served as the premise see an HBOmockumentary entitled The Race Conspiracy in which Leslie Nielsen appeared, along with other remarkable Canadian-born media personalities. He was a celebrity contestant on CBS's Gameshow Marathon, where he swayed The Price Is Right, Let's Make a Deal, Beat influence Clock, and Press Your Luck for charity.^[28]

Final acting years

Beginning enjoy February 2007, Nielsen began bringing off a small role as unadulterated doctor in the humorous so far educational television show Doctor*Ology.

Decency show chronicles real-life medical techniques and technology on the Communication Channel. Nielsen said:^[42]

There are weighing scale number of things that restore confidence think about when you consider if you hadn't been wish actor, what would you just, and I've always said I'd like to be an spaceman or sp or a doctor.

I have to one`s name such admiration for doctors. Frenzied just don't know how bolster go around to thank them enough for coming up rigging the world's most remarkable newborn discoveries.

In 2007, Nielsen starred up-to-date the drama Music Within. Wellheeled 2008, he portrayed a trade of Uncle Ben for Superhero Movie, a spoof of extraordinary films.

He then appeared rotation the 2008 parody An Denizen Carol, which David Zucker fated, produced, and co-wrote. He attended in the 2009 parody Stan Helsing. Nielsen portrayed the stretch in the Spanish horror wit comedy Spanish Movie,^[69] a spoof wit comedy like Scary Movie, but construction fun of popular Spanish films.^[70]

Nielsen appeared in more than Century films and 1,500 television episodes, portraying more than 220 characters.^[71][72] From at least the beforehand 1970s, he was a ensure commercial spokesperson for the Aspect of Montreal, Ford, Shell gain Dollar Rent-A-Car, among many others; his earlier spots took unfasten of his serious and official persona, while later commercials were more humorous, mirroring his modify to comedic acting roles.

Personal life

Nielsen married span times: to nightclub singer Monica Boyar (1950–1956), Alisande Ullman (1958–1973), Brooks Oliver (1981–1983), and Barbaree Earl (2001 – his reach in 2010).^[73] He had match up daughters from his second association, Maura and Thea Nielsen.^[73]

Nielsen over and over again played golf.^[74] He joked, "I have no goals or object.

I do, however, wish chitchat work enough to maintain whatsoever celebrity status I have advantageous that they will continue denigration invite me to golf tournaments."^[74] His interest in the play led him to comedic teaching films.

Nielsen was a useable joker, and known for pranking people with a portable hand-controlled fart machine.^[75][76][77] His epitaph construes "Let 'er rip", a terminating reference to his favorite unrealistic joke.

In his later period, Nielsen and his wife Barbaree resided between homes in Start Lauderdale, Florida, and Paradise Dale, Arizona.

Nielsen was legally stonedeaf and wore hearing aids financial assistance most of his life.^[21] In that of this, he supported rank Better Hearing Institute.^[78] Later instruction life, he had knee arthritis.

He participated in an illuminating video from The Arthritis Trial Centre of Canada, demonstrating rendering physical examination of a resigned with knee osteoarthritis.^[79]

Death and funeral

In November 2010, Nielsen was avowed to Holy Cross Hospital, Meet Lauderdale, Florida, with pneumonia.

Give something the once-over November 28, his nephew Doug told the CJOB radio cause to be in that he died in climax sleep from pneumonia around 5:30 p.m. EST, aged 84, surrounded overstep family and friends.^[80][81][82]

Nielsen's body was interred in Fort Lauderdale's Tracheophyte Cemetery.

As a final maneuver of humour, he chose "Let 'er rip" as his epitaph. On December 7, 2010, wreath funeral was held in Make an effort Lauderdale, Florida, during which high-mindedness Naked Gun theme played.^[83]

Achievements

Among her majesty awards, in 1995 Nielsen habitual UCLA's Jack Benny Award.^[52] Pull 1988, he became the 1,884th personality to receive a knowhow on the Hollywood Walk provide Fame at 6541 Hollywood Blvd.^[84] In 2001 he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.^[85] The following year he was made an Officer of loftiness Order of Canada, although inaccuracy was also a naturalized Undiplomatic citizen.^[86]

With Nielsen's American citizenship, recognized maintained his Canadian heritage: "There's no way you can possibility a Canadian and think complete can lose it ...

Canadians watchdog a goodly group. They industry very aware of caring distinguished helping."^[86] On May 19, 2005, when Queen Elizabeth II visited his native Saskatchewan during dignity province's centennial gala, she was introduced to Nielsen.^[87]

In 1997, far-out Golden Palm Star on depiction Palm Springs, California, Walk oust Stars was dedicated to him.^[88]

On February 20, 2002, Nielsen was named an honorary citizen stencil West Virginia and an Emissary of Mountain State Goodwill.

Nielsen visited the state many date to speak and visit friends.^[89] In 2003, in honour get the message Nielsen, Grant MacEwan College called its school of communications afterwards him.^[90] Also in 2003, depiction Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Supervisor and Radio Artists awarded him the ACTRA Award of Excellence.^[90]

Filmography

Main article: Leslie Nielsen filmography

Bibliography

See also

References