Leslie Nielsen
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.
TV Shows(135)
Lipshitz Saves the World
Himself
2007
Gameshow Marathon
2006
Robson Arms
Caldo Vasco
2005
Tubridy Tonight
2005
Zeroman
Zeroman (voice)
2004
Chilly Beach
Santa (voice)
2003
Odd Job Jack
2003
Liography
Terrence Brynne McKennie
2001
Liocracy
2001
Harvey
Dr. Chumley
1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self
1999
Family Guy
Dr. Rumack (archive footage)
1999
The Wonderful World of Disney
Mr. Penn
1997
Life and Times
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self
1996
Die Harald Schmidt Show
Self
1995
Cybermania '94 - The Ultimate Gamer Awards
Host
1994
Due South
Sgt. Buck Frobisher
1994
The Danny Baker Show
1994
Katie and Orbie
Narrator
1993
Raw
Leslie Nielsen
1993
Terry Wogan's Friday Night
Self
1992
Flesh 'n' Blood
Red Houser
1991
Herman's Head
God
1991
Evening Shade
1990
Day by Day
Jack Harper
1988
Race for the Bomb
Lewis Strauss
1987
The Golden Girls
Lucas
1985
227
1985
Doris Day's Best Friends
1985
The Ray Bradbury Theater
Fantoccini
1985
Murder, She Wrote
David Everett
1984
Finder of Lost Loves
Matthew Vail
1984
Who's the Boss?
1984
Highway to Heaven
Richard R. Benson
1984
Shaping Up
Buddy Fox
1984
Prime Times
Self
1983
Wogan
Self
1982
Police Squad!
Lt. Frank Drebin
1982
Twilight Theater
1982
Aloha Paradise
Grant Culberson
1981
The Littlest Hobo
Mayor Chester Montgomery
1979
Backstairs at the White House
Ike Hoover
1979
Vega$
1978
Fantasy Island
Doctor Whitfield
1978
What Really Happened to the Class of '65?
1977
The Love Boat
Hank Hardaway
1977
Lucan
1977
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975
The Swiss Family Robinson
1975
Sidestreet
1975
S.W.A.T.
1975
Dinah!
Self
1974
The Manhunter
1974
Kojak
Michael Hagar
1973
The Evil Touch
1973
Barnaby Jones
Edward Brendon
1973
Kung Fu
Vincent Corbino
1972
Assignment: Vienna
Floyd Macklin
1972
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
M*A*S*H
Col. Buzz Brighton
1972
The Rookies
1972
Sarge
1971
Monty Nash
Ross Carter
1971
Bearcats!
Col. Ted Donovan
1971
Columbo
A.J. Henderson
1971
Cannon
Joe Gilbert
1971
Night Gallery
Col. Dennis Malloy
1970
The Bold Ones: The Protectors
Deputy Police Chief Sam Danforth
1969
Bracken's World
1969
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
Mr. Cummings
1969
The Movie Game (US)
1969
The Mod Squad
Rusty Bryson
1968
Hawaii Five-O
Brent
1968
The Name of the Game
1968
It Takes a Thief
SIA Security Man
1968
Judd, for the Defense
1967
Cimarron Strip
1967
Ironside
1967
The F.B.I.
Hudson
1965
Convoy
1965
The Wild Wild West
Major General Ball
1965
The Big Valley
Sgt. Maj. Earl Conway
1965
National Geographic Specials
Narrator (voice)
1965
Daniel Boone
William Russell
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
General Maximilian Harmon
1964
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Dr. David Cord
1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963
The Farmer's Daughter
1963
Channing
Prof. Paul Stafford
1963
The Fugitive
Harold Cheyney
1963
Miss USA
Self - Judge
1963
The Art Linkletter Show
1963
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Mr. Grainger
1962
The Virginian
John Hagen
1962
The New Breed
Lt. Price Adams
1961
Dr. Kildare
Walter Burton
1961
The Defenders
Bob Garrison
1961
Route 66
1960
Thriller
Alan Patterson
1960
Moment of Fear
1960
The Swamp Fox
Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox)
1959
Bonanza
Sheriff Paul Rowan
1959
Rawhide
Eli Becker
1959
Naked City
Norman Garry
1958
Wagon Train
Brian Conlin
1957
Playhouse 90
Ralph Mohr
1956
First Performance
Ted
1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Lloyd Ashley
1955
Folio
Biff Loman
1955
MGM Parade
Self
1955
Gunsmoke
Jess Trevor
1955
The Wonderful World of Disney
Colonel Francis Marion
1954
Love Story
1954
Medallion Theatre
1953
General Electric Theater
Judge Wayne Douglas
1953
Short Short Dramas
1952
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Out There
1951
Goodyear Television Playhouse
1951
Tales of Tomorrow
1951
Danger
1950
Sure As Fate
1950
The Web
1950
Stage 13
1950
The Bob Hope Show
Self
1950
Starlight Theatre
1950
Robert Montgomery Presents
C. K. Dexter Haven
1950
Lights Out
1949
The Clock
David Kyle
1949
Suspense
1949
Studio One
1948
Actors Studio
1948
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Host
1944
Movies(136)
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage)
2016
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
2013
Stonerville
Producer
2011
Spanish Movie
Doctor Nielsen
2009
Stan Helsing
Kay
2009
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League
Mayor of Charlestown
2008
An American Carol
Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa
2008
Superhero Movie
Uncle Albert Adams
2008
Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest
Dr. Rumack (archive voice)
2007
Music Within
Bill Austin
2007
Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
Self
2006
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
Self
2006
Scary Movie 4
President Baxter Harris
2006
Nos Bastidores de Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
2005
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking
(Mouseking) (voice)
2004
Noël Noël
Narrator (english version)
2003
Scary Movie 3
President Baxter Harris
2003
Men with Brooms
Gordon Cutter
2002
Camouflage
Jack Potter
2001
Chilly Dogs
Clive Thorton / Cab Driver
2001
Santa Who?
Santa Claus
2000
2001: A Space Travesty
Richard 'Dick' Dix
2000
Wrongfully Accused
Ryan Harrison
1998
Safety Patrol!
Mr. Penn
1998
Mr. Magoo
Mr. Quincy Magoo
1997
Family Plan
Harry Haber
1997
Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video
Himself
1997
Harvey
Dr. Chumley
1996
Spy Hard
Dick Steele
1996
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Count Dracula
1995
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
Baxter
1995
Rent-a-Kid
Harry Haber
1995
S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago
Lucio Cinico
1994
An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck
Self - Audience Member
1994
WWE SummerSlam 1994
Himself
1994
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
Self
1994
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
Lt. Frank Drebin
1994
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My Way
Leslie Nielsen
1994
World's Funniest Commercials
1994
Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier
Himself
1993
Digger
Arthur Evrensel
1993
The Unknown Marx Brothers
Self - Narrator
1993
Surf Ninjas
Colonel Chi
1993
Chance of a Lifetime
Lloyd Dixon
1991
All I Want For Christmas
Santa
1991
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Lt. Frank Drebin
1991
Repossessed
Father Jebedaiah Mayii
1990
Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special Presentation
Host
1989
The Railway Dragon
Narrator (voice)
1989
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Frank Drebin
1988
Dangerous Curves
Greg Krevske
1988
Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery
Senator Erdain
1987
Nuts
Allen Green
1987
Nightstick
Thad Evans
1987
Home Is Where the Hart Is
Sheriff Nashville Schwartz
1987
Soul Man
Mr. Dunbar
1986
The Patriot
Admiral Frazer
1986
The Canadian Conspiracy
Self
1986
Striker's Mountain
Jim McKay
1985
Reckless Disregard
Bob Franklin
1985
Blade in Hong Kong
Harry Ingersoll
1985
Spaceship
Capt. Jamieson
1983
Cave-In!
Joe Johnson
1983
Creepshow
Richard Vickers (segment "Something To Tide You Over")
1982
Wrong Is Right
Mallory
1982
Twilight Theatre
1982
Foxfire Light
Reece Morgan
1982
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
Paul Warren
1980
Prom Night
Mr. Hammond
1980
Airplane!
Dr. Rumack
1980
Dive to the Edge of Creation
Self - Narrator
1980
OHMS
Governor
1980
City on Fire
Mayor William Dudley
1979
Riel
Major Leif Newry Fitzroy Crozier
1979
Institute for Revenge
Counselor Hollis Barnes
1979
Halloween
Commander John J. Adams (archive footage)
1978
Little Mo
Nelson Fisher
1978
The Amsterdam Kill
Riley Knight
1977
Sixth and Main
John Doe
1977
Viva Knievel!
Stanley Millard
1977
Day of the Animals
Paul Jenson
1977
The Dawson Patrol
Narrator
1977
Grand Jury
John Williams
1977
Project: Kill
John Trevor
1976
Brinks: The Great Robbery
Agent Norman Houston
1976
King of the Underwater World
Self/Narrator
1975
The Outlaw Cats of Colossal Cave
Narrator
1975
Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience
Self - Narrator (voice)
1975
Can Ellen Be Saved?
Arnold Lindsey
1974
The Return of Charlie Chan
Alexander Hadrachi
1973
Amanda Fallon
Mr. Cummings
1973
The Letters
Derek Childs
1973
Snatched
Bill Sutter
1973
...And Millions Die!
Jack Gallagher
1973
Journey to the Outer Limits
(voice)
1973
The Poseidon Adventure
Captain Harrison
1972
They Call It Murder
1971
The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler
Harry Walsh
1971
Incident in San Francisco
Lt. Brubaker
1971
Hauser's Memory
Joseph Slaughter
1970
The Aquarians
Official
1970
Night Slaves
Sheriff Henshaw
1970
Change of Mind
Sheriff Webb
1969
How to Commit Marriage
Phil Fletcher
1969
Deadlock
Lt. Sam Danforth
1969
Trial Run
Jason Harkness
1969
Four Rode Out
Mr Brown
1969
Companions in Nightmare
Dr. Neesden
1968
Dayton's Devils
Frank Dayton
1968
Cocoon
Brent
1968
How to Steal the World
General Maximilian Harmon
1968
The Wild Heart
Narrator
1968
Shadow Over Elveron
Sheriff Verne Drover
1968
Counterpoint
Victor Rice
1967
Rosie!
Cabot Shaw
1967
The Reluctant Astronaut
Major Fred Gifford
1967
The Boy Who Flew with Condors
Narrator
1967
Gunfight in Abilene
Grant Evers
1967
Code Name: Heraclitus
Fryer
1967
Beau Geste
Lt. De Ruse
1966
The Plainsman
Col. George Armstrong Custer
1966
Dark Intruder
Brett Kingsford
1965
Harlow
Richard Manley
1965
See How They Run
Elliot Green
1964
Night Train to Paris
Alan Holiday
1964
The Velvet Alley
Eddie Kirkley
1959
The Sheepman
Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe
1958
Tammy and the Bachelor
Peter Brent
1957
Hot Summer Night
William Joel Partain
1957
The Opposite Sex
Steve Hilliard
1956
The Vagabond King
Thibault d'Aussigny
1956
Forbidden Planet
Commander John J. Adams
1956
Ransom!
Charlie Telfer
1956
The Battle of Gettysburg
Narrator (voice)
1955
Dark Possession
Dr. Roger Waring
1954
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant
Bill
1951