Actor

Leslie Nielsen

1926 – 2010

Who they are

Born: 11 February 1926, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died: 28 November 2010
Known for: Forbidden Planet, The Poseidon Adventure, Airplane!

Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian-born actor who spent his early career in television and as a dramatic leading man. Airplane! (1980) reinvented him as a deadpan comedian, and The Naked Gun films made him a defining figure of screen parody. He remained a spoof-film mainstay until his death in 2010.

Where to start

Forbidden Planet (1956)Full guide
An early leading role as a serious actor in a landmark science-fiction film.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)Log in to add it to the library
A dramatic supporting role in a major disaster blockbuster, showing his work before comedy.
Airplane! (1980)In the library
His straight-faced comic turn became the breakthrough that redefined his career.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)Log in to add it to the library
Made him a comedy star as bumbling detective Frank Drebin, a role he first played on television.
Scary Movie 3 (2003)Log in to add it to the library
A well-known late-career parody role showing his lasting place in spoof comedy.

Their films in the library

Awards

No major awards are documented here.

The full list · 139

1951The Lost Will of Dr. RantLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bill
1954Dark PossessionLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Roger Waring
1955The Battle of GettysburgLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator (voice)
1956Forbidden PlanetLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Commander John J. Adams
1956Ransom!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Charlie Telfer
1956The Opposite SexLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Steve Hilliard
1956The Vagabond KingLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Thibault d'Aussigny
1957Tammy and the BachelorLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Peter Brent
1957Hot Summer NightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as William Joel Partain
1958The SheepmanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe
1959The Velvet AlleyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Eddie Kirkley
1964Night Train to ParisLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Alan Holiday
1964See How They RunLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Elliot Green
1965Dark IntruderLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Brett Kingsford
1965HarlowLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Richard Manley
1966Beau GesteLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lt. De Ruse
1966The PlainsmanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Col. George Armstrong Custer
1967The Reluctant AstronautLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Major Fred Gifford
1967CounterpointLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Victor Rice
1967Gunfight in AbileneLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Grant Evers
1967The Boy Who Flew with CondorsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
1967Rosie!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Cabot Shaw
1967Code Name: HeraclitusLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Fryer
1968How to Steal the WorldLog in to add it to the libraryActor as General Maximilian Harmon
1968Shadow Over ElveronLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sheriff Verne Drover
1968Companions in NightmareLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Neesden
1968CocoonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Brent
1968Dayton's DevilsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Frank Dayton
1968The Wild HeartLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
1969Four Rode OutLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr Brown
1969How to Commit MarriageLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Phil Fletcher
1969Change of MindLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sheriff Webb
1969Trial RunLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jason Harkness
1969DeadlockLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lt. Sam Danforth
1970Night SlavesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sheriff Henshaw
1970Hauser's MemoryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Joseph Slaughter
1970The AquariansLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Official
1971The Resurrection of Zachary WheelerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Harry Walsh
1971They Call It MurderLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Frank Antrim
1971Incident in San FranciscoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lt. Brubaker
1972The Poseidon AdventureLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Captain Harrison
1973The Return of Charlie ChanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Alexander Hadrachi
1973The LettersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Derek Childs
1973SnatchedLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bill Sutter
1973Journey to the Outer LimitsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator (voice)
1973...and millions will die!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Jack Gallagher
1973Amanda FallonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr. Cummings
1974Can Ellen Be Saved?Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Arnold Lindsey
1975Threshold: The Blue Angels ExperienceLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Narrator (voice)
1975King of the Underwater WorldLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self/Narrator
1975The Outlaw Cats of Colossal CaveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
1976Project: KillLog in to add it to the libraryActor as John Trevor
1976Brinks: The Great RobberyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Agent Norman Houston
1977Day of the AnimalsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Paul Jenson
1977Viva Knievel!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Stanley Millard
1977The Amsterdam KillLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Riley Knight
1977Grand JuryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as John Williams
1977The Dawson PatrolLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
1977Sixth and MainLog in to add it to the libraryActor as John Doe
1978Little MoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Nelson Fisher
1979City on FireLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mayor William Dudley
1979Institute for RevengeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Counselor Hollis Barnes
1979RielLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Major Leif Newry Fitzroy Crozier
1980Airplane!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Rumack
1980Prom NightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr. Hammond
1980The Night the Bridge Fell DownLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Paul Warren
1980OHMSLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Governor
1980Dive to the Edge of CreationLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Narrator
1982Airplane II: The SequelLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Rumack (archive footage) (uncredited)
1982CreepshowLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Richard Vickers (segment "Something To Tide You Over")
1982Wrong Is RightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mallory
1982Foxfire LightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Reece Morgan
1982Twilight Theater IILog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self- Host
1982Twilight TheatreLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1983SpaceshipLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Capt. Jamieson
1983Cave-In!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Joe Johnson
1985Striker's MountainLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jim McKay
1985Blade in Hong KongLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Harry Ingersoll
1985Reckless DisregardLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bob Franklin
1986Soul ManLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr. Dunbar
1986The PatriotLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Admiral Frazer
1986The Canadian ConspiracyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1987NutsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Allen Green
1987NightstickLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Thad Evans
1987Home Is Where the Hart IsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sheriff Nashville Schwartz
1987Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling MysteryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Senator Erdain
1988The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Frank Drebin
1988Dangerous CurvesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Greg Krevske
1989Back to the Future (Part II): Behind-the-Scenes Special PresentationLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Host
1989The Railway DragonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator (voice)
1990RepossessedLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Father Jebedaiah Mayii
1991The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of FearLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lt. Frank Drebin
1991All I Want For ChristmasLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Santa
1991Chance of a LifetimeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lloyd Dixon
1993Surf NinjasLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Colonel Chi
1993The Unknown Marx BrothersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Narrator
1993DiggerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Arthur Evrensel
1993Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made EasierLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final InsultLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lt. Frank Drebin
1994S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years AgoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lucio Cinico
1994WWE SummerSlam 1994Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
1994Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf My WayLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Leslie Nielsen
1994An Audience with Jimmy TarbuckLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Audience Member
1994Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special EffectsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1994World's Funniest CommercialsLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1995Dracula: Dead and Loving ItLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Count Dracula
1995Rent-a-KidLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Harry Haber
1995Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Baxter
1996Spy HardLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dick Steele
1996HarveyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Chumley
1997Mr. MagooLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr. Quincy Magoo
1997Family PlanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Harry Haber
1997Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf VideoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
1997Pirates 4-DLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Captain Lucky
1998Wrongfully AccusedLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Ryan Harrison
1998Safety Patrol!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Mr. Penn
20002001: A Space TravestyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Marshal Richard "Dick" Dix
2000Santa Who?Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Santa Claus
2001CamouflageLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jack Potter
2001Chilly DogsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Clive Thorton / Cab Driver
2002Men with BroomsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Gordon Cutter
2003Scary Movie 3Log in to add it to the libraryActor as President Harris
2003Noël NoëlLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator (english version)
2004The Nutcracker and the MousekingLog in to add it to the libraryActor as (Mouseking) (voice)
2004The Best of So Graham NortonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)
2005Nos Bastidores de HollywoodLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)
2006Scary Movie 4Log in to add it to the libraryActor as President Baxter Harris
2006Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden PlanetLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2006Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi IconLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2007Family Guy Presents: Blue HarvestLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Rumack (archive voice)
2007Music WithinLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bill Austin
2008Superhero MovieLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Uncle Albert Adams
2008An American CarolLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Osama Bin Nielsen / Grandpa
2008Slap Shot 3: The Junior LeagueLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mayor of Charlestown
2009Stan HelsingLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Kay
2009Spanish MovieLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Doctor Nielsen
2011StonervilleLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Producer
2013Mel Brooks: Make a NoiseLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)
2016O.J.: Made in AmericaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.