Leslie Nielsen of ‘Naked Gun’ Fame Dies at Age 84
- Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:05pm by
Scott Baker
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Leslie Nielsen, who went from drama to inspired bumbling as a hapless doctor in “Airplane!” and the accident-prone detective Frank Drebin in the “Naked Gun” comedies, has died. He was 84.
His agent John S. Kelly says Nielsen died Sunday at a hospital near his home in Ft. Lauderdale where he was being treated for pneumonia.
The Canadian-born Nielsen came to Hollywood in the mid-1950s after performing in 150 live television dramas in New York. With a craggily handsome face, blond hair and 6-foot-2 height, he seemed ideal for a movie leading man.
He quickly became known as a serious actor, although behind the camera he was a prankster. That was an aspect of his personality never exploited, however, until “Airplane!” was released in 1980 and became a huge hit.
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Comments (108)
Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:22amSo weird. Dennis Hopper. Bernie Mac. Now this. It’s just weird. Pinching myself. Yep. Still alive. Breathing. Check! . Weird.
He was truly a great one.
Report Post »Rob_M
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:13amMade some of the best comedy movies ever for years. There won’t be anyone who can take his place for a long time.
Report Post »GregUSA
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:13amWe have lost a lot of great comedians and actors like Leslie. We will never have these kinds of people again due to political correctness. Every comedian and actor/actress we have now is from a pre-approved and pre-designed mold.
Thank you, Leslie, for being you.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:13amStraight man and clean humor.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:06amWe’ll miss you. :(
Report Post »kindling
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:57pmI think with everything going on down here God needed someone to cheer Him up….great choice! We will miss him.
Report Post »Honest_E
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 9:34pmWell said Kindling.
Report Post »jcons114
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:56pmI loved him in Dracula: Dead and Loving It!….so sad.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:55pmRIP Leslie :(
Report Post »printdesignchicago.com
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:48pmfrom his speech at the white house:
Lt. Frank Drebin: I want a world where Frank junior and all the Frank juniors can sit under a shady tree, breathe the air, swim in the ocean, and go into a 7-11 without an interpreter.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:47pmHe had a fart machine shaped like a pigs nose and he would make fart sounds during his interviews.
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:10amThe man was funny.
Report Post »Chalon Hutson
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:45pmHe was awesome. Let’s hope he was saved. He will be missed.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:57pm“Let’s hope he was saved.”
Dumb
MrButcher
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:17amsaved from what?
death?
looks like he wasn’t
oh, well
no one is “saved” from that.
—————————————-
cheers
to Mr. Nielson
thanks for the memories
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:19amTook a look at your website. If hell is the place they send people who make moronic videos…you’re screwed.
82dAirborne
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:31amI have no idea if ne believed in God or not. I am not entirely sure if I do or not. I do hope he is in a better place. Rest in peace.
There is a time and place for disagreement and debate. This isn’t either. Can you guys leave a single thread untouched from your hate? It would seem that you can’t. Try the “Live and let live” sometime. It isn’t “dumb” and it shouldn’t be sarcastic. Hope you both feel like grown-ups. You are experts at making fools of yourselves.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:52am@82dAirborne
Hoping that somebody is “saved” in a public forum like this is IMHO dumb. It invites and encourages debate which detracts from the topic at hand, which is remembering Leslie Nielsen.
Saved by what?
Saved from what?
Saved by whom?
Saved according to which tenants of which church?
I am a Catholic in good standing and as such have opinions regarding what it means to be saved. I am quite aware that my opinions are just so much crap, just like your‘s and Chalon Huston’s.
You seem to me one of the common simple minded folks who regard ideas they disagree with as “hate”. I was in fact calling out Huston to keep his religious opinions to himself, even if may agree or disagree with those opinions. Sorry that I didn’t use enough easy words to make it clear to you what my intent was.
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 1:17am@AZKENREID
Report Post »Hell is the place where God sends unbelieving, unrepentant, prideful fools. It’s a real place, and it has nothing to do with “moronic”, or any other kinds of videos. It only has to do with you, as an individual, humbling yourself before the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and all that in them is, and accepting the Drink of Water He is offering you right now. In hell there’ll be no such offering. Don’t fear a higher power. Fear the Highest Power.
azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 1:23am@Huckabee Gingrich 12
You need to get a grip and realize that this is a political blog and not a seminary. You might also want to realize that Glen Beck is a Mormon. Ponder that for a while and get back to me.
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:00am@AZKENREID
Report Post »You a newbie here? I’ve been bashing Mormonism (and Catholicism) on this site for months now. I can love Glenn Beck without liking his occultic Church. Also, genius, this ain’t a political anything. It’s TheBlaze, where we can write whatever we want that doesn’t attack or threaten people. You don’t like it, don’t read it. Hopefully my last post got stuck in your liver! I think it did :)
azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:17am@Huckabee Gingrich 12
“Hell is the place where God sends unbelieving, unrepentant, prideful fools.”
You might want to meditate on that a bit. If your last post is a good example of your thinking, you Shirley will be found there.
TheBlaze is most certainly a political blog. I know that a lot of you use it to proselytize, but that doesn’t change what it is, it just changes what you use it for. Personally I think that the site moderators should ban a whole lot more people here than they do (if they have banned any.) Those who post off topic (like you), or use the site to proselytize (like you), or those who post “firsties” should be banned.
I’m not new here, but I don’t often post as I have found the overwhelming majority of the commentators here to be intellectually wanting. (like you.)
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:26am@Huckabee Gingrich 12
BTW, occultic isn’t a word. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own dictionary.
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:38am@AZKENREID
Well, you really told me. But in my own defense, not many people possess the intellectual prowess required to comprehend the veritable profundity of your exceeding wisdom, such as is displayed in your first post in this thread, and I quote, “Dumb”.
Deep, man. Deep.
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:52am@AZKENREID
Report Post »By Jove, you’ve bested me again. You are so smart to have known that “occultic” isn’t a word, however, I think you knew what I meant by it. Let me rephrase it for you, so as not to further offend your keen sensibilities. “I can love Glenn Beck without liking his ‘occulted’ church.” Thank you ever so much for helping me expand my vocabulary. You are a really wonderful person.
azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:57am@Huckabee Gingrich 12
Deep? 82dAirborne took a single word and projected his own bias onto it all while accusing me of using too many words. You accuse me of using too few. I suspect that there are no words available that will break through your mind numbing stupidity.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:44pmI met him in a bar one time in Whitehorse Yukon Canada. There were only a couple of people in the bar and he was sitting alone at a table. His brother Erik was the member of parliment for yukon for many years. He looked familar so I thought trhat he was someone that I had met causually while working in the bush up there so I asked how he was doing and he said “OK”. Then I asked if he was working and he said ,”not right now.” So I figured that he was waiting for something to get started in the bush. So I wished him luck and went on my way. The next day i saw his pic in the local news and clued in. This happened before the airplane movies etc. Anyhoo we will miss you Leslie..
Report Post »Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:29amI once met him on a flight from L.A. to Chicago. I had the fish.
All kidding aside, I loved his movies, especially Airplane!, but I think my next favorite one was Creepshow. “WentWORTH!”
I pray that the man knew the Lord, and that I will meet him in Heaven.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 1:05am@azkeneid
You used plenty of words. Too many for your own good. If you took the time to know me you would understand that I am anything but simple minded. It must be comforting to be able to know everything about everyone. I envy your super powers. Try using them for good next time.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 1:53amOK. Your mind is so strong, you replied to me in the wrong comment thread. Nuff said.
Report Post »REVENANT
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:41pmThanks for the laughs. You will be sorely missed in a world that needs good politically incorrect humor.
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:33pmRest In Peace.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:33pmThanks for the laughs Leslie. Shirley Paradise Valley is funnier than fort Lauderdale.
Report Post »Stegall TX
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:24pmRIP, Shirley.
Report Post »kazzbooA1
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:19pmYou made people laugh-A trait seldom seen always welcomed-See you in the here after buddy.
Report Post »Crossleft
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:17pmThis was one cool cat. The movies, the fame, and a starring role next to OJ. In any event, they don‘t make ’em like Leslie anymore. God speed sir.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:15pmSurely he no longer suffers.
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:15pmA sad day in the entertainment world. A good man has left the stage.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 5:29amWell said. Always fun to watch and will be missed. God bless.
Report Post »Diamond Girl
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:14pmYou will be missed from this home, you brought us joy and laughter, prayers sent to all those who love you~ until we meet again, so long and Godspeed.
Report Post »sean_m.
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:13pmSo sad! The kind of humor that never ever gets old no matter how many times you watch him.
Report Post »huntee
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:12pmSurely this cannot be true. It is true and please don’t call me Shirley.
Report Post »Funny man and will be missed.
Randyrocker
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:10pmHis dry humor was infectious, he always made you laugh inside and out.
Report Post »RUNKIDRUN
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:09pmRIP Mr. Nielson, and stop calling me Shirley.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on November 28, 2010 at 11:25pmThe pilot would like to speak to you in the cockpit.
Report Post »The cockpit? What is it?
It is the room at the front of the plane… but we don’t have time for that now.
We will miss you.
2
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 12:10amI was in Hollywood when His Airplane Movie came out in the 70′s.
Very funny Man, R.I.P. Brother, You made us all laugh.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 1:35amRest in Peace now; the heavens have called a great man and comedian home. Much entertainment he gave us, and much sorrow was lifted and turned into joy by his routines. One more good one gone from us to the Father.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 2:05amYou will be missed. RIP
Report Post »rebel
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 5:09amHilarious man! one of his last films AN AMerican Carol, must be seen. hilarious conservative film
Report Post »Kalidor835
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 8:05amAmerican Carol is a true classic. It’s a real shame that the critics panned it since it parodied their life long love Michael Moore. If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. R.I.P. Mr. Nielsen, you were one of the last great comedic actors, if not the last.
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 9:56amI think his first really big role was on the 1956 movie “Forbidden Planet” opposite a young Anne Francis. He was way better as a comedic actor with his funny sense of humor. RIP Leslie!
Report Post »UrsaMajor
Posted on November 29, 2010 at 6:31pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAWJ8ix4EM&feature=related
This scene is, to me, one of the finest pieces of cinema in the 1980′s. Great script. Fantastic cinematography. Suspenseful directiing. Haunting score. OUTSTANDING acting. Creepshow isn‘t just one of the most underated horror movies of the 80’s… it’s one of the most underated movies, period.
Report Post »Brocklydip
Posted on November 30, 2010 at 5:08pmShirley Nielsen is not dead!
Report Post »Spookytruck
Posted on November 30, 2010 at 10:15pmHe was one of the funniest men on earth. He will be missed.
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