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Actor Leslie Nielsen Dies at 84

An anonymous reader writes "Famous actor Leslie Nielsen died of pneumonia at a Florida hospital Sunday evening. Leslie was renowned for his comedic roles in dozens of films and TV shows, such as The Naked Gun and Police Squad. His characteristic style and humor was always enjoyable, and he will be sorely missed." Of course you might also remember him from The Forbidden Planet, which is classic sci-fi by any measure.

167 comments

  1. Stop calling him Shirley! by 2.7182 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    He was a funny guy. Bye dude!

    1. Re:Stop calling him Shirley! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      He also did some of the best classic Sci-Fi when he was young.

    2. Re:Stop calling him Shirley! by Have+Brain+Will+Rent · · Score: 1

      Thanks for all the laughs you crazy Canuck... you made my life better!

      --
      The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny - Aesop
  2. Surely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    you can't be serious?

    1. Re:Surely... by geminidomino · · Score: 5, Funny

      I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.

    2. Re:Surely... by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      The first thing I did this morning after hearing about his death on the radio was to change my sig.

      I was pleased to see that the Wikipedia article about him mentioned Police Squad. That short-lived TV show was funnier than the movie sequels. I have them on tape, and plan on watching them tonight.

    3. Re:Surely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yeah, you fucked that up.

    4. Re:Surely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Roger, Over.
      Huh?
      What's your Vector, Victor?
      Who? What?

    5. Re:Surely... by RMH101 · · Score: 5, Funny

      if there's any justice in the world, the hearse will have flashing lights on top and will crash into some bins...

    6. Re:Surely... by MonsterTrimble · · Score: 1

      My kingdom for mod points!

      But seriously, he was a funny funny guy. And Now I'm going to have to have a Police Squad/Naked Gun/Airplane movie marathon. There goes the week!

      --
      I call it 'The Aristocrats'
    7. Re:Surely... by SnarfQuest · · Score: 1

      Why would someone want to call you Shirley, Mr. Serious?

      --
      Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
    8. Re:Surely... by guspasho · · Score: 1

      And a marching band will play at his funeral.

    9. Re:Surely... by rogeroger · · Score: 1

      I was reminded of why I chose mine

    10. Re:Surely... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You spelled it wrong. It's "Nielsen".

    11. Re:Surely... by spambucket235 · · Score: 1

      ...then the casket will come flying out of the back of the hearse, start rolling down a hill and end up in a...

  3. It was pneumonia sadly... by Winckle · · Score: 5, Funny

    the doctors said it was 50/50, but there was only a 10% chance of that.

    1. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by A.+B3ttik · · Score: 5, Funny

      Pneumonia? That's no way for a man to die. A parachute not opening... that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine... having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go.

    2. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Funny

      He must have had the fish.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    3. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by Fibe-Piper · · Score: 4, Funny

      Rumack (Nielsen): You'd better tell the Captain we've got to land as soon as we can. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital. Elaine Dickinson: A hospital? What is it? Rumack (Nielsen): It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now.

      Ah we'll miss him.

      --
      I went to battle M.C. Escher, but drew a blank.
    4. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by thijsh · · Score: 1

      That's what he gets for going to the intensive care ward at Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle.

    5. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by JerryQ · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Life is not a journey to the grave, with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, totally used up, loudly proclaiming "Wow!, what a ride!"

    6. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by bigredradio · · Score: 1

      you mean the salmon mousse?

    7. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by sconeu · · Score: 1

      I had the lasagna.

      Looks like he picked the wrong week to quit breathing.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    8. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by dargaud · · Score: 1

      "I want to die at 101, shot by a jealous husband..."

      --
      Non-Linux Penguins ?
    9. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by oldmac31310 · · Score: 1

      After the parachute accident I doubt you will be in any fit state to notice the combine mishap or the Laplander attack!

      --
      http://www.acetonestudio.com
    10. Re:It was pneumonia sadly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      GNUmonia? maybe he was deprecated.

  4. Sad... by Stormwatch · · Score: 0, Redundant

    His characteristic style and humor was always enjoyable, and he will be sorely missed."

    Yes, it was. And don't call him Shirley.

  5. He's Dead? by ObitMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let me know when his condition improves.

    --
    Who run Barter Town?
    1. Re:He's Dead? by phishtahko · · Score: 5, Funny

      He's dead?

      and loving it!

    2. Re:He's Dead? by Buggz · · Score: 1

      That's one dead event you subscribed to. I hope you didn't create a deadlock, or even a fatal error.

    3. Re:He's Dead? by thijsh · · Score: 1

      Nope, Dead and Loving it! Finally time to do nothing *and* be sure when you're finished.

    4. Re:He's Dead? by etwills · · Score: 1

      "Well, I'll give him another twenty minutes; but that's it!"

    5. Re:He's Dead? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's from Top Secret, alas, not a Leslie Nielsen movie.

    6. Re:He's Dead? by ObitMan · · Score: 1

      yeah I discovered this fact a few hours later. I'm truly ashamed.

      --
      Who run Barter Town?
  6. Cheer up, Ed. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This is not goodbye. It's just I won't ever see you again.

    Keep on your toes, and RIP.

  7. Nice Beaver! by slackbheep · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Thanks, I just had it stuffed!"

    1. Re:Nice Beaver! by suso · · Score: 1

      Maybe he had his Turkey stuffed.

    2. Re:Nice Beaver! by Burnhard · · Score: 1

      Oh jeez... I just posted that below. Anticipatory plagiarism.....

    3. Re:Nice Beaver! by fremsley471 · · Score: 1

      Ties for first place with "Shatner on the Moonbase videoscreen" for funniest sight-gag ever.

      RIP Leslie.

    4. Re:Nice Beaver! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even funnier after I read on BBC where he was born.

      "Born in the Canadian city of Regina in 1926, ..."

      My wife hates it when I point out how the locals pronounce the name of their town.
      Really, Leslie Neilsen came from Regina when he was born.

  8. It's not Leslie Nielson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's Enrico Pallazzo !

    1. Re:It's not Leslie Nielson by LateArthurDent · · Score: 1

      It's Enrico Pallazzo !

      No, it's Phil Donahue throwing up in a tuba!

  9. A dramatic actor by invid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Before the movie "Airplane", he had always been seen as a dramatic actor. It was because of his deadpan seriousness that he was able to be so funny. Also, his role as the captain of the starship in "Forbidden Planet" was a prototype for Captain Kirk.

    --
    The Moore-Murphy Law: The number of things that will go wrong will double every 2 years.
    1. Re:A dramatic actor by Megane · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I always wished that someone would do a parody of Forbidden Planet with him in the starring role. It would have been awesome. I thought a good name for it would be "Prohibited Planet".

      --
      #naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
    2. Re:A dramatic actor by hedwards · · Score: 1

      He was a dramatic actor prior to "Airplane," but I don't think that's why he was able to be so funny. I think that movie just revealed it. Comedic timing is something that a person has, one can develop it, but those of us that have it don't just wake up one day with it.

      Dead pan is a lot harder to do than a lot of folks realize. Getting the timing right and having all that stuff going on around you is definitely a challenge.

      Personally, I'll miss him. His work definitely helped me out when I was seriously ill from a bad infection. Pretty much the only thing that allowed me to get any food down at all was his films.

    3. Re:A dramatic actor by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      Airplane! gave a lot of dramatic actors the chance to do comedy. Some got the joke immediately (like Robert Graves and Leslie Neilsen). Some spent the entire shoot very confused (like Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack).

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    4. Re:A dramatic actor by Nighttime · · Score: 1

      I hope you kept away from the fish.

      --
      I've got a fever and the only prescription is more COBOL.
    5. Re:A dramatic actor by c.derby · · Score: 2, Informative

      peter graves...

      --
      -- derby
    6. Re:A dramatic actor by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, him too.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    7. Re:A dramatic actor by mcgrew · · Score: 3, Funny

      Getting the timing right and having all that stuff going on around you is definitely a challenge.

      First post!

    8. Re:A dramatic actor by thijsh · · Score: 1

      Excellent idea! It would be a great homage. But the question is who can we find that can possibly follow in Leslie Nielsens footsteps? He was one of a kind... But hey, they've been cutting back on real actors for a long time.

    9. Re:A dramatic actor by JasoninKS · · Score: 1

      Nah...Lloyd just picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

    10. Re:A dramatic actor by M.+Baranczak · · Score: 1

      Airplane! gave a lot of dramatic actors the chance to do comedy.

      Like Kareem Abdul Jabar.

    11. Re:A dramatic actor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I watched "Forbidden Planet" for the first time a couple of years ago, and it was surprisingly funny on its own. Intentionally so, I should add -- sex and drinking humor, which I didn't expect at all.

    12. Re:A dramatic actor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But he insisted he wasn't!

    13. Re:A dramatic actor by slick7 · · Score: 1

      Airplane! gave a lot of dramatic actors the chance to do comedy.

      Like Kareem Abdul Jabar.

      Don't forget Mrs. Cleaver!

      --
      The mind conceives, the body achieves, the spirit manifests.
    14. Re:A dramatic actor by Hashi+Lebwohl · · Score: 1

      It's funny, everyone here keeps referring to "Airplane!". In Aus it was called "Flying High!", a much better name, I think.

      --
      I'm in to sadism, bestiality and necrophilia. Am I flogging a dead horse?
    15. Re:A dramatic actor by Anomalyst · · Score: 1

      Indeed, who wudda guessed she could speak jive?

      --
      There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.
  10. That's not important right now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He's dead what does that mean. It means he is no longer breathing but that isn't important right now.

    He died, what from. I'm sorry but I can't tell you. You can tell me I'm a doctor. I mean I don't know.

    Pneumonia, surly you must be joking, I'm not joking and stop calling me Shirley.

    Rest in peace you funny man :)

  11. Locksmith by skyriser2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dutch Gunderson: Who are you and how did you get in here?
    Frank Drebin: I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.
    -Police Squad

    1. Re:Locksmith by zaivala · · Score: 1

      Ocksmith?

  12. I promise you; whatever scum did this..... by grepppo · · Score: 1

    not one man on this force will rest one minute until he's behind bars. Now, let's grab a bite to eat.

  13. No. by damn_registrars · · Score: 1

    It's Enrico Pallazzo !

    It's Weird Al Yankovic!!

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  14. Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    pneumonia is easy way to go. You are just very very tired and you are not interested about anything other things than just sleeping. And you go while you sleep.

    R.I.P

    1. Re:Sleepy way to go by arkane1234 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Ever had pneumonia?
      You can barely breathe, your coughing mucus from your lungs, and you feel the life disappearing from you.
      It's not a sleeping disease, unless you've been put to sleep by meds.

      --
      -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
    2. Re:Sleepy way to go by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 2, Informative

      had it for 2 or 3 months one time. it redefined 'sickness' all before then and all after then, as well, for me. worst time in my life and hope I never get another of those. I should have been in the hospital since I could not breathe well (fighting most of the time to breathe). doctors could not do anything and just cycled antibiotics almost like going down a search-list, just serially trying things hoping something would work.

      I hope it was not painful for him. fighting to breathe is not a pleasant way to be (or to go).

      I was in my 30's at the time and it nearly killed me.

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    3. Re:Sleepy way to go by hoboroadie · · Score: 1

      I used to get something that we named the "Powell Plague" (after its original vector). It recurred annually, three to eight weeks of invalidity. Four years ago I talked a nurse into giving me the pneumonia vaccine, et voila, I haven't had it since.

      --
      They feared that it could be used to suppress protest or support unpopular rule.
    4. Re:Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      pneumonia is easy way to go. You are just very very tired and you are not interested about anything other things than just sleeping. And you go while you sleep.

      No, that's smoking pot.

    5. Re:Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Ever had pneumonia?

      Ever been in a Turkish prison?

      Ever seen a grown man naked?

    6. Re:Sleepy way to go by MisterSquid · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Pneumonia keeps one from breathing. Understood. Do we not yet know how to oxygenate the blood through alternative means? (In case it's not blindingly obvious, I know jack about medical science.)

      --
      blog
    7. Re:Sleepy way to go by jimicus · · Score: 2, Informative

      Neither do I, but 5 minutes googling will tell you that we do have such machines, but you can't use them for more than a few hours at a time. Fine for surgery, pretty useless for pneumonia.

      (A bit further reading will suggest that there do exist machines which aren't as limited - I wonder if you're getting to the edges of what is possible and what is very much post-doctoral research stuff at this point?)

    8. Re:Sleepy way to go by MMC+Monster · · Score: 3, Informative

      Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is probably what you're looking for. That being said, it not for any length of time and has very serious risks. Much safer to be intubated and put on a ventilator for a couple weeks.

      --
      Help! I'm a slashdot refugee.
    9. Re:Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pneumonia is what old people die of when they aren't going to die of anything else.

    10. Re:Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My Mom broke two ribs from coughing when she had pneumonia. Yes, it can indeed be very bad.

    11. Re:Sleepy way to go by Ol+Biscuitbarrel · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Both of my parents died from pneumonia, or complications therefrom, and I was there when they went, too. My father simply slept very heavily for a couple of days, then the nurses turned him over, waking him up of course; he gasped for about a minute with his eyes wide open, then expired. As ways to die, relatively peacefully. This was just last month.

      My mother died last year, and that was much harder to watch - she was heavily disabled from a stroke in 2005 and could never sit still, so was constantly pulling her oxygen mask away. Her condition grew worse and worse, finally the doctor said she had no chance of recovery, and said they could administer morphine so she could simply pass away in her sleep. It was left up to me to tell her what we were going to do, as neither of my brothers or father seemed up to it. That was about the most upsetting thing I've ever had to do, and she continued to fidget as long as possible, too.

      That was in March '09; my father subsequently became more than a bit at sea mentally, which seemed to lead to swallowing difficulties and reoccurring bouts of pneumonia. Those started after a hospital stay in Dec '09, though, for an operation on his prostate; perhaps he wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. They say hospitals are good places to become sick, paradoxically. My Dad made it to age 82. We did have some good times in the last year and a half, despite his problems with dementia. He really enjoyed watching Airplane! one night, too. My whole family was nuts about the movie when it came out, and loved Police Squad! too - for years we kept telling people about this great TV show which, of course, was ignominiously canceled after far too short a run.

      Frank Drebin: "It took me two weeks to find Stella's apartment...she had neglected to give me her address."

    12. Re:Sleepy way to go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      VV ECMO can provide sufficient oxygenation for several weeks, allowing diseased lungs to heal while the potential additional injury of aggressive mechanical ventilation is avoided. It may therefore be life-saving for some patients. However, due to the high technical demands, cost, and risk of complications, such as bleeding under anticoagulant medication, ECMO is usually only considered as a last resort.

      The time limit for a newborn on ECMO is usually around 21 days. Dr. Thomas Krummel, Chairman of General Surgery at Stanford University, held the record for the longest survivor on ECMO at 62 days. This record was in turn broken recently on January 30, 2008, when a patient at NTU hospital, Taiwan survived a drowning accident after 117 days of ECMO application.[8]

    13. Re:Sleepy way to go by MisterSquid · · Score: 1

      Thanks for answering. Much appreciated.

      --
      blog
  15. Bullshit. by SharpFang · · Score: 1

    Pneumonia? He's not dead. He's gonna come back any moment now, synthetic lungs, three years in secret underwater ops.

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    1. Re:Bullshit. by skywatcher2501 · · Score: 1

      More likely his head is going to be put in a jar and he'll host the Oscars in the year 3000.

    2. Re:Bullshit. by naz404 · · Score: 1

      "Children of the night... what a mess they make!"

      Leslie Nielsen: Dead and Loving It

  16. I would have memorialized him earlier, by uwes98 · · Score: 2, Funny

    but he wasn't dead then.

    1. Re:I would have memorialized him earlier, by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      I just hope his family didn't wait until the last minute to fill out those organ donor cards.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  17. good night sweet prince by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    TOO LATE! I already found this out on 4chan last night. related stories: justin beiber, will ferrell, and president obama also die.

    1. Re:good night sweet prince by arkane1234 · · Score: 1

      Given enough time, I'm willing to give that a 100% possibility!

      --
      -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
  18. We're all risking death every day by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You take a chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:We're all risking death every day by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      Even worst, you could wake up dead tomorrow!

  19. Last meal by Nidi62 · · Score: 2, Funny

    He just had to eat the fish, didn't he? RIP Leslie Nielsen, the world just got a little less funny.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    1. Re:Last meal by NoDos · · Score: 1

      A very talented Canuck who took his trade not so seriously and made the world laugh! RIP, Leslie Nielson!

  20. Time for a re-watch... by grub · · Score: 3, Informative


    Time to re-watch Forbidden Planet.

    If you haven't seen it, do so! It's a true classic of sci-fi.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:Time for a re-watch... by lennier1 · · Score: 1

      ^^ Recently watched Due South again. It's a shame that his recurring character actually started out quite serious, but later episodes turned him into Drebin's Canadian cousin ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9eV2ZBaO8 ).

    2. Re:Time for a re-watch... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I just watched it recently. For a 1959 movie, the special effects are excellent. The saucer spaceship, Robbie the Robot, force fields, laser guns ... it was more innovative, for its time, than Star Wars was for ours. IMO the top SF movie of all. People will be watching Forbidden Planet long after Airplane et al. are forgotten. Goodbye, Leslie, we will remember you.

    3. Re:Time for a re-watch... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Funny, I just watched season one the other day. It's still in my DVD drive. Due South got pretty messed up in Season 3.

    4. Re:Time for a re-watch... by deniable · · Score: 1

      He was in one of my favorite scenes of that show. Ride Forever, indeed.

    5. Re:Time for a re-watch... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    6. Re:Time for a re-watch... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Airplane forgotten? It'll take a long time before it drops off the bottom of all the "funniest movies ever" lists.

    7. Re:Time for a re-watch... by Foobar+of+Borg · · Score: 1

      Speaking of Leslie Nielsen and sci-fi, I'll just leave this here. He looked very different when he was younger, but the voice is still recognizable.

    8. Re:Time for a re-watch... by lennier1 · · Score: 1

      It didn't help that the show had been canceled after the 2nd season. And by the time the show was renewed through international investors one of the main actors had already committed himself to a project elsewhere.

  21. This is so sad... by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 1

    ... now who will I watch gladiator movies with?

    R.I.P., Mr. Nielsen.

    --
    You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
    1. Re:This is so sad... by TRS80NT · · Score: 1

      Surely you're thinking of Peter Graves. Wait. He's dead too.

      --
      Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
    2. Re:This is so sad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you are thinking of Peter Graves

    3. Re:This is so sad... by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 1

      D'Oh! You're right.

      Now I feel stupid... er...

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
    4. Re:This is so sad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      He was thinking of Peter Graves. And stop calling him Shirley.

    5. Re:This is so sad... by mcneely.mike · · Score: 1

      You are stupid-er.... and don't call you Shirley!

      --
      soylentnews.org Go there to enjoy the people!
  22. where? by joepress99 · · Score: 0

    I don't know where I'll be - but I won't smell so good...

  23. Prophylactic by Dan+East · · Score: 1

    Ahhh, the man who introduced me to the full-body condom, which I still use to this day.

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:Prophylactic by dargaud · · Score: 1

      Ahhh, the man who introduced me to the full-body condom, which I still use to this day.

      You mean... your personality ?

      --
      Non-Linux Penguins ?
  24. Looking up the ladder. by Burnhard · · Score: 1

    Nice Beaver!

    1. Re:Looking up the ladder. by KDN · · Score: 1

      "Thanks, I just had it stuffed".

  25. Typecasting by hoboroadie · · Score: 1

    I guess I'm just old, but after all these years, I still find it jarring to see him doing comedy.

    --
    They feared that it could be used to suppress protest or support unpopular rule.
    1. Re:Typecasting by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 1

      When you are a dramatic actor, it isn't too hard to transition into the "straight man" in a comedic routine. The reason it was so funny is exactly because he was a serious actor and had not done comedy before.

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    2. Re:Typecasting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Back in school he always carried a whoopee cushion, in case of emergency I guess. heh. Comedy was in his blood, and if anything, the serious roles were the typecast-ed ones.

    3. Re:Typecasting by grcumb · · Score: 4, Interesting

      When you are a dramatic actor, it isn't too hard to transition into the "straight man" in a comedic routine. The reason it was so funny is exactly because he was a serious actor and had not done comedy before.

      Oh my, you've never acted, have you?

      Comedy - good comedy - is incredibly difficult to do. Far more difficult than straight drama. Ask yourself why De Niro has never done a good comic part. Now, one has to give full credit to the directors of Airplane and The Naked Gun series (remember: the movies themselves were funny), but Nielsen did an incredible job. Deadpan (sorry, Les) comedy is the hardest of all.

      There's a good reason why people like Bob Newhart and Leslie Nielsen are so well-respected in their craft. It's because they were phenomenally good at what they did.

      --
      Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.
    4. Re:Typecasting by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes, I have acted before - thank you for asking. (And GFY for the condescension in the question.) I didn't claim any dramatic actor could transition to comedy successfully, what I was saying is that if you are a good dramatic actor, playing the "straight man" would be less difficult than trying to be the "funny guy". Oh, and DeNiro has done comedy before in Analyze This. Currently it has a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so some people must have thought he was funny. And don't call me Shirley.

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    5. Re:Typecasting by dogsbreath · · Score: 1

      Great comment. I think the amazing thing about LN was that he could take really lame jokes and make them funny. The "Shirley" joke was old when I was a kid (LONG ago) and typically is worth a muted groan at best, but LN made it genuinely funny.

      It's nice to see almost nothing but positive remarks about the man and his work.

    6. Re:Typecasting by dogsbreath · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Nielson wasn't a "straight man". The "straight man" sets up the joke or is someone that the joke reflects off of and the "straight man" doesn't make the jokes. Nielson was the comedian with the funny lines so I don't really buy your assessment. His delivery was deadpan and serious but that again did not make him the "straight man".

      It also is condescending to say he was funny only because it was unusual to see him in a comedy role. I think he had great comedic timing and delivery.

      I would agree that his extensive dramatic acting experience helped him to play his comedy roles with skill and discipline, which in turn helped make him very funny. Absolutely, LN had a natural talent for comedy.

    7. Re:Typecasting by vk2sky · · Score: 1

      ... Ask yourself why De Niro has never done a good comic part.

      Oh, I don't know... De Niro acquitted himself pretty well in Brazil

    8. Re:Typecasting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ask yourself why De Niro has never done a good comic part.

      His part in Stardust was, while not stellar, quite funny.

    9. Re:Typecasting by Philbert+de+Zwart · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure grcumb was aware of 'Analyze this' when he said 'never done a good comic part'. As much as I admire De Niro in his serious roles, his comedic ones make me cringe.

      P.S., I suspect De Niro's last name means the same thing as mine.

  26. My favorite Leslie Nielsen scene by hellfire · · Score: 4, Funny

    Leslie Nielsen walks into a bar...

    (to the waiter) "Give me the strongest thing you got."
    (In walks a body builder)
    "On second thought I'll have a black russian."
    (waiter turns to walk away, then turns toward the camera, looks at the audience, and shakes his head.)

    --

    "All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

    1. Re:My favorite Leslie Nielsen scene by KDN · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Guy shows object to a lady and asks "cigarrette ?". Lady looks it over and says "Yes, it is". I've actually used this one when a lady offered me some doughnuts asking "Doughnuts?". I looked them over and said "Yes, they are". She looked at me funny and then giggled.

  27. What are they going to tell his kids? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh, poor Ralph. And what about my daughter? What am I gonna tell her?
    HOCKEN: Yeah, you're gonna have to tell her something. Tell her he went on a long trip.
    DREBIN: Ah, wait a minute. How about a big monster came and took him to daddy heaven?
    MRS TWICE WAILS
    DREBIN: Nahh.
    HOCKEN: How about this? He threw himself on a grenade and saved a battalion. Yeah, that's it.
    DREBIN: No, no, wait a minute. He was killed be left wing insurgents from Paraguay.
    MRS TWICE WAILS
    DREBIN: No, Bolivia.
    HOCKEN: I got it. I got it. He was traded to the Cubs for Reggie Jackson.

  28. I just want to tell you Leslie... by CFBMoo1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Rest in peace, we're all still laughing at you. Thank you for the good memories you gave us and how you will still brighten our days as we remember you.

    --
    ~~ Behold the flying cow with a rail gun! ~~
  29. He would still be alive if by scourfish · · Score: 1
    they had not treated him in the intensive care ward at Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle.

    I'm going to watch "Wrongfully Accused" in his honor.

  30. But that's not important right now. by tverbeek · · Score: 4, Interesting

    One of things that made Nielsen so good as a comedic actor was his long history as a serious, dramatic actor. Especially in his comedic debut (Airplane!) the gravitas that he brought to his deadpan delivery is what made his performance work, something a more traditional "funny man" actor couldn't have pulled off. He then leveraged his new-found reputation as a comic actor to branch out into more overt buffoonery, which is something that most other "serious" actors couldn't have pulled off.

    --
    http://alternatives.rzero.com/
    1. Re:But that's not important right now. by bhcompy · · Score: 1

      Ed O'Neill really is the same way. Very good dramatic actor that found his niche in comedy

    2. Re:But that's not important right now. by tentontoby · · Score: 1
      Leslie Nielsen couldn't believe the joy he discovered in comedy after reading the Airplane! script and still quoted as saying his "second act was too good to be true". It's like he could now laugh at himself in those serious roles and be truly free in his skin. Here's David Zucker http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12272777 on the hilarious reason why they wanted him for the role of Dr. Rumack.

      "To us, he was hysterical. The long list of straight dramatic acting roles demonstrated to us that he would be perfect. When we watched those movies, we laughed."

      I doubt laughing at someone has ever resulted in more global hilarity :D Love ya forever you fellow crazy canuck!

  31. George Zip said that? by GregC63 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yes, he looked at me and said, "Doc," he said, "Some time, when the crew is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys, tell 'em to get out there and give it all they've got. And win just one for the Zipper. I don't know where I'll be then Doc, he said. But I won't smell too good, that's for sure." Airplane is still one of my top 3 movies of all time. R.I.P Leslie Neilsen

  32. I just want to tell you both by Steneub · · Score: 0

    good luck. we're all counting on you.

    It's a happy thing to see other posters here celebrating his work and quoting his funnier moments. He made a lot of people very happy and that's how he should be remembered.

  33. Re:Goodbye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You're a delight. I hope that next heart attack is 'da big one.

  34. Re:Goodbye by Urkki · · Score: 1

    and nothing of value was lost.

    Indeed, at least not much was lost, since he wouldn't have made many movies in any case any more, and his existing work will endure time, much like, say... Charlie Chaplin's work.

  35. beat me to it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would have posted this sooner, but he wasn't dead then.

  36. Whaddaya think killed him? by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 1
    • Whaddaya think killed him?
    • Sex?
    • Not now, thanks.

    (BTW, these UL-lists look like crap.)

    --

    I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
  37. Favourite Scene - Naked Gun 2.5 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Lt. Frank Drebin: Miss, I'm Lt. Frank Drebin, and this is Captain Ed Hocken, Police Squad.
    Busty Female Shop Assistant: Is this some kind of bust?
    Lt. Frank Drebin: Well... it's very impressive, yes, but we need to ask you a few questions.

    He will be missed.

    1. Re:Favourite Scene - Naked Gun 2.5 by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

      Please, nobody make a Naked Gun 40-Fores with Frank Drebin's son played by Andy Dick.

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  38. Obligatory. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is, in fact, no denying his contributions to popular culture. Truly an American icon.

  39. Dear Mr Nielson in heaven, by tangent3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I just want to wish you good luck, we're all counting on you.

  40. That random coincidence. by durrr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I was thinking about him yesterday, of that one scene where he manages to flip the priceless but water intolerant pen into the aquarium with the award winning lionfish.
    Dunno why i was reminded of it, i didn't even remember what his name was, and when i remembered i wondered if he was still alive. And now i find out he died approximately when i was reminded of it.
    If i was paranormally inclined i'd claim to have psychic powers, but i guess it's just coincidence. It's a loss either way, he was my childhood comedy hero.

    1. Re:That random coincidence. by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      He was your childhood comedy hero and you couldn't even remember his name?

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    2. Re:That random coincidence. by durrr · · Score: 1

      Well, my childhood ended a fair bit over a decade ago, and i've never been into memorising the names of actors.

    3. Re:That random coincidence. by norminator · · Score: 1

      If i was paranormally inclined i'd claim to have psychic powers, but i guess it's just coincidence.

      Or the Golden Child effect

    4. Re:That random coincidence. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And now i find out he died approximately when i was reminded of it.

      Never, ever, think of me. Posting anonymously, for obvious reasons.

    5. Re:That random coincidence. by nelk · · Score: 1

      ...And now i find out he died approximately when i was reminded of it. If i was paranormally inclined i'd claim to have psychic powers...

      So it's YOUR fault he died!

      Get him!

      --
      No keyboard detected. Press F1 to continue.
  41. Finally by memojuez · · Score: 1

    ... someone mentioned Police Squad!!

    --
    Signature applied for, Patent Pending
    1. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed...

      Frank Drebin: Now do you think you can beat The Champ?
      Buddy: I can take him blindfolded.
      Frank Drebin: What if he's not blindfolded?

      Genius. Thanks Leslie, for the many laughs and many more hours of entertainment you've provided. Forbidden Planet is in my top five movies of all time, Police Squad in my top five TV Shows.

  42. Re:Goodbye by tehcyder · · Score: 1

    We'll all be looking forward eagerly to your obituary too.

    --
    To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  43. What a great guy! by NormAtHome · · Score: 2, Informative

    I was honored to meet him at a SciFi show a couple years ago, he was very pleasant and seemed to really enjoy the fact that he still had so many fans. He will be greatly missed!

  44. Nielson's wake by otaku244 · · Score: 1

    This is not well known, but Leslie Neilson secretly had a passion for funeral arrangements while off camera. Here is footage of one he put together a few years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZHXKWRLAks

    --
    Mod me down, I shall become more off-topic than you could possibly imagine.
  45. Re:Goodbye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nah, not really. I am looking forward to donkey-punching Dunbal's mom in hell though.

  46. Saw his Clarence Darrow one-man show... by uncle+slacky · · Score: 1

    ...back in 1980, unfortunately I was too young to realise that plays had intermissions, so left after the first half thinking it had finished. I hope he didn't notice - his performance was very good! I missed a chance to see it again a few years ago when he toured the UK, and now I'll never see it. At least, being a historical play, I know how it turned out...

    --
    Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it.
    1. Re:Saw his Clarence Darrow one-man show... by grcumb · · Score: 1

      ...back in 1980, unfortunately I was too young to realise that plays had intermissions, so left after the first half thinking it had finished. I hope he didn't notice - his performance was very good! I missed a chance to see it again a few years ago when he toured the UK, and now I'll never see it. At least, being a historical play, I know how it turned out...

      Awww, dude, you walked out?!? The fight scene with the chimpanzee in the 2nd Act is the best part!

      --
      Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.
  47. I worked with hom almost 30 years ago by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    He was a real practical joker on set. He had this little pocket whoopie cushion and his favorite thing to do was sneak up behind some one working on set and when they'd bend over to pick something up he'd let it rip. The guy was like a shark when some one new would walk in. You'd see his eyes light up and he'd head straight for the unknowing victim. I swear you could hear the Jaws theme. He'd introduce himself and while he was shaking their hand let rip with the whoopie cushion with that deadpan expression just to see their face. He was still mostly known for serious roles at the time so most were shocked and didn't know how to react. It was ironic but I was just talking about him earlier in the day when I got the word. One of the truly great straight men has died.

  48. Re:Goodbye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So what you're saying is that you're basically just a humorless douchebag, right?

  49. I Need To Take My Mind Off This by FrankDrebin · · Score: 1

    Maybe a nice holiday in Beirut...

    --
    Anybody want a peanut?
  50. Watched Naked Gun last night... by seebs · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I was sad to hear that his death did not involve a banana peel, a wheelchair, and eight flights of stairs.

    Re-watched Naked Gun last night. A very funny movie. The man really was brilliant. Also of interest to people who enjoyed it, "Repossessed", an Exorcist parody which uses the same actor that was the possessed girl in the original, and a few other similarly silly movies. Great use of sight gags and silly dialogue.

    I think a lot of people underestimate the positive effects comedians have on our world. I've got a nasty cold, but while I was watching that movie, I was happy and not particularly bothered by the cold.

    --
    My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
  51. Swiss Cheese? by snaggl3tooth · · Score: 1

    Thats no gouda.

  52. old by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Leslie Nielsen seemed like he has been 80 years old for the last 30 years.

  53. God Bless & Thanks For All The Laughs Leslie! by oDDmON+oUT · · Score: 1

    But I will always remember you most for your portrayal of Commander J.J. Adams in Forbidden Planet. You and Robbie rocked!

    --
    Some days it's just not worth
    chewing through my restraints.
  54. Turn in your geek card by wcrowe · · Score: 1

    Of course you might also remember him from The Forbidden Planet, which is classic sci-fi by any measure.

    It is Forbidden Planet . There is no "The" in front of it.

    --
    Proverbs 21:19
  55. Leslie Nielsen farted on Morning show by sponga · · Score: 1

    Name one person who has purposely farted on a morning show to get a laugh....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5egaR4WvLPY

  56. He'll be missed by minasoko · · Score: 1

    Lt. Frank Drebin: Hector Savage. From Detroit. Ex-boxer. His real name was Joey Chicago.
    Ed Hocken: Oh, yeah. He fought under the name of Kid Minneapolis.
    Nordberg: I saw Kid Minneapolis fight once. In Cincinnati.
    Lt. Frank Drebin: No you're thinking of Kid New York. He fought out of Philly.
    Ed Hocken: He was killed in the ring in Houston. By Tex Colorado. You know, the Arizona Assassin.
    Nordberg: Yeah, from Dakota. I don't remember it was North or South.
    Lt. Frank Drebin: North! South Dakota was his brother. From West Virginia.
    Ed Hocken: You sure know your boxing.
    Lt. Frank Drebin: Well, all I know is never bet on the white guy.

  57. Oblig ... by Anomalyst · · Score: 1

    My sister was bit by a moose once

    --
    There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.
  58. Colloidal Silver is remedy to Pneumonia. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Put it under your tongue for it to absorb into the portal vein, rather than drink it, and it goes strait to the lungs.

  59. A hero of comedy has passed. by GregLaden · · Score: 1
  60. RIP by twoHats · · Score: 1

    Leslie: Thanks for all the great laughs...

  61. Freakin' weird! by bgibby9 · · Score: 1

    No joke, on the 28th Nov, I was reminded of something he did after watching something on TV. I started thinking, "Wait a minute, has he passed away?" and checked a few sites to see. Absolutely nothing reported. Then today, I find out that he died the very next day. Man I'm freaked out!

    RIP Leslie, you shall be missed!

    --
    http://www.gibby.net.au