Leslie Nielsen: 1926-2010

Handsome, funny Leslie Nielsen has died at the age of 84. His acting career began in 1950 and included literally hundreds of film and TV credits including Tammy and the Bachelor and The Poseidon Adventure. In 1980, his second act began with the hit movie Airplane! and Hollywood suddenly discovered his gift for deadpan comedy.  The Police Squad/Naked Gun movies soon followed and made him more famous than ever.  I remember him from the 70s when he seemed to be a Special Guest Star on every Quinn Martin production.  His characters were always a bit dangerous, very suave and so very good looking.  I totally had a crush. 

Nielsen was born the son of a Mountie in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he was mostly raised in the Northwest Territories.   He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, then returned home to begin his career in radio in Edmonton, Alberta.  By 1950, he was in New York and made his TV debut in The Actors Studio.  In 1952, he made his Broadway debut in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a short-lived play.  He is survived by his wife and two daughters.