Leslie Nielsen
The Olivier of spoofs
Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010) was a Canadian and American actor and comedian whose career in film and television spanned six decades, encompassing over 100 films and 150 television programs in which he portrayed more than 220 distinct characters. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, to a Welsh immigrant mother and a Danish-born father who served as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable, Nielsen grew up in the Northwest Territories and Edmonton. His father was abusive, and Nielsen sought escape by enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 17 during World War II, training as an aerial gunner despite being legally deaf and wearing hearing aids most of his life. After the war, he worked briefly as a disc jockey before studying at the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto. A scholarship took him to New York City’s Neighborhood Playhouse, where he studied theatre and music while performing in summer stock, later attending the Actors Studio. His half-uncle, actor Jean Hersholt, inspired his career choice. Nielsen made his acting debut in 1950, appearing in 46 live television programs that year, and his film debut in 1956 with a supporting role in *The Vagabond King*. He gained standing as a dramatic actor through roles in films such as *Forbidden Planet* (1956) and *The Poseidon Adventure* (1972). However, his casting in the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker comedy *Airplane!* (1980) marked a turning point, leading to his recognition for deadpan comedy roles in which he specialized in portraying characters oblivious to and complicit in absurd surroundings. Film critic Roger Ebert dubbed him “the Olivier of spoofs,” and Nielsen went on to star in *The Naked Gun* film series, based on the short-lived television series *Police Squad!* (1982). He received numerous accolades, including induction onto both Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.
- born
- February 11, 1926, Regina, Saskatchewan
- died
- November 28, 2010
- field
- Acting, comedy
- nationality
- Canadian and American
- known_for
- Deadpan comedy roles in Airplane! and The Naked Gun film series
Lore & Background
Nielsen was born on February 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan. His mother, Mabel Elizabeth (née Davies), was an immigrant from Wales, and his father, Ingvard Eversen Nielsen (1900–1975), was a Danish-born constable in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 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. He also had a half-brother, Gilbert Nielsen, from his father's other relationship. 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. Nielsen received a variety of accolades, and was inducted onto both Canada's Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was ascended an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.
Reader's Guide
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 films such as Forbidden Planet (1956) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972) gave him standing as a dramatic actor, during the 1980s, Nielsen gained recognition for his deadpan comedy roles after being cast for the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker comedy film Airplane! (1980). In his comedy roles, he specialized in portraying characters oblivious to and complicit in their absurd surroundings. His performance in Airplane! marked a turning point which made him 'the Olivier of spoofs', according to film critic Roger Ebert, and led to further success in the genre, starring in The Naked Gun film series, based on his earlier short-lived television series Police Squad! (1982).
Did You Know?
- Nielsen was legally deaf and wore hearing aids most of his life.
- He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 17 in 1943 and trained as an aerial gunner during World War II but was never sent overseas.
- His half-uncle Jean Hersholt was an actor known for his portrayal of Dr. Christian.
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