Sunday, November 28, 2010

Leslie Nielsen, R. I. P.

Leslie Nielsen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Leslie William Nielsen, OC (February 11, 1926 - November 28, 2010[1]) was a Canadian actor and comedian. Although his acting career crosses a variety of genres in both television and films, Nielsen achieved his greatest successes in the comedy films Airplane! and The Naked Gun. His portrayal of serious characters seemingly oblivious to (and complicit in) their absurd surroundings gives him a reputation as a comedian.[2]

Nielsen's lead roles in the films Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure came long before he considered a turn to comedy. His deadpan delivery as a doctor in 1980's Airplane! marked a turning point in Nielsen's career, one that would make him, in the words of film critic Roger Ebert, 'the Olivier of spoofs.'[3] Nielsen appeared in over 100 films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying over 220 characters.[4]"

6 comments:

David Cranmer said...

I've enjoyed many of his movies and just watched him in a first season episode of Columbo. RIP.

Seepy Benton said...

The Swamp Fox will be missed.

Paul D Brazill said...

'I'm a locksmith and I'm a locksmith'.

Anonymous said...

I guess we geezers remember him back to his Swamp Fox days and, even earlier, Forbidden Planet.

But of course to younger audiences he'll be remembered for "Don't call me Shirley!"

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

RIP

Jeff

Elizabeth Foxwell said...

Let's not forget him as a gung-ho colonel that Hawkeye and Trapper gaslight on "MASH."

Cap'n Bob said...

Yep, I'm a Swamp Fox/Forbidden Planet guy. He always seemed like he would be a decent guy off stage, too.