Leslie Nielsen, Dead At 84

Actor/comedian Leslie Nielsen has passed away at the age of 84. According to the National Post, he died in a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, with his family by his side. This was confirmed by his nephew Doug Nielsen.

Nielsen started his career in dramatic roles. His first role was in the 1956 movie Ransom! That same year, he took the lead in the famous sci fi movie Forbidden Planet. (click the image below to see a scene from it).

Scene from Forbidden Planet, starring Leslie Nielsen

Forbidden Planet was very smart for its time and still holds up after all these years.
Nielsen played Captain Harrison, captain of the Poseidon in the disaster thriller The Poseidon Adventure (1972).

It was in 1980 when Nielsen would make the transition from dramatic to comedic roles when he appeared in the Zero Hour!/Airport spoof Airplane! (1980). His ability to deliver lines deadpan in the middle of absurd circumstances was unmatched.

In 1982 he starred in Police Squad!, a spoof of cop shows like M Squad. It didn’t last past 6 episodes, but it did spawn three successful movies.

Horror movie fans will also recall seeing Nielsen in the cult hits Prom Night and Creepshow.

Leslie Nielsen, dead at the age of 84. Rest in peace, Lt. Drebin! You made us laugh – a lot.

Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)