Leslie Nielsen profile
Actor profile

Leslie Nielsen

11th February 1926 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Acting

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.

134 Movies 134 TV Shows 303 Credits
Filmography

Movies & TV Shows

Noël Noël poster
Noël Noël 13th December 2003 as Narrator (english version)
Chilly Dogs poster
Chilly Dogs 19th December 2001 as Clive Thorton / Cab Driver
Mr. Magoo poster
Mr. Magoo 25th December 1997 as Mr. Quincy Magoo
Harvey poster
Harvey 19th October 1996 as Dr. Chumley
Digger poster
Digger 29th September 1993 as Arthur Evrensel
Nuts poster
Nuts 20th November 1987 as Allen Green
Creepshow poster
Creepshow 10th November 1982 as Richard Vickers (segment "Something To Tide You Over")
OHMS poster
OHMS 2nd January 1980 as Governor
Riel poster
Riel 11th April 1979 as Major Leif Newry Fitzroy Crozier
Deadlock poster
Deadlock 22nd February 1969 as Lt. Sam Danforth
Cocoon poster
Cocoon 20th September 1968 as Brent
Rosie! poster
Rosie! 22nd November 1967 as Cabot Shaw
Harlow poster
Harlow 23rd June 1965 as Richard Manley
Ransom! poster
Ransom! 24th January 1956 as Charlie Telfer
Zeroman poster
Zeroman 11th September 2004 as Zeroman (voice)
Family Guy poster
Family Guy 31st January 1999 as Dr. Rumack (archive footage)
Due South poster
Due South 22nd September 1994 as Sgt. Buck Frobisher
Raw poster
Raw 11th January 1993 as Leslie Nielsen
227 poster
227 14th September 1985
Kojak poster
Kojak 24th October 1973 as Michael Hagar
Kung Fu poster
Kung Fu 14th October 1972 as Vincent Corbino
M*A*S*H poster
M*A*S*H 17th September 1972 as Col. Buzz Brighton
Bearcats! poster
Bearcats! 16th September 1971 as Col. Ted Donovan
Columbo poster
Columbo 15th September 1971 as A.J. Henderson
Columbo poster
Columbo 15th September 1971 as Peter Hamilton
Cannon poster
Cannon 14th September 1971 as Joe Gilbert
Cannon poster
Cannon 14th September 1971 as Weller Dane
Cannon poster
Cannon 14th September 1971 as Erich Strasser
Night Gallery poster
Night Gallery 16th December 1970 as The Phantom (segment "Phantom of What Opera?")
Channing poster
Channing 18th September 1963 as Prof. Paul Stafford
Thriller poster
Thriller 13th September 1960 as Alan Patterson
Bonanza poster
Bonanza 12th September 1959 as Sheriff Paul Rowan
Rawhide poster
Rawhide 9th January 1959 as Eli Becker
Folio poster
Folio 25th September 1955 as Biff Loman
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Jess Trevor
Suspense poster
Suspense 6th January 1949 as Serge Soudekine