Leslie Nielsen has a woman’s name — but at least we’re not calling him Shirley! The Canadian-American actor enjoyed a prolific career with literally hundreds of credits erected on his bulging resume. After serving in World War II, the brave babe headed for New York City where he trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse and Actors Studio. Nielsen then made the move to the boob tube during “Television’s Golden Age” of the 1950s. By the 1970s, it seemed like the hardworking hottie guest-starred on every hit show (Cannon, Columbo, Fantasy Island, Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, Kung Fu, The Love Boat, M*A*S*H, S.W.A.T.). Perhaps that’s why TV viewership is measured in Nielsen ratings! In addition to being a staple on the small screen, Leslie appeared on the big screen in the disaster flick The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and the crime drama The Amsterdam Kill (1978). The new decade ushered in the slapstick classic Airplane! (1980). Both a critical and commercial success, the movie exposed Nielsen’s… sense of humor! It also spawned the police parody The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) featuring Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy, and Leslie’s bare chest! Next came The Naked Gun 2+1⁄2: The Smell of Fear (1991) for which he and Priscilla Presley were nominated for MTV’s Best Kiss Movie Award. Leslie then lost his top in the sequel Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994). Before the Forbidden Planet (1956) star passed away in 2010, he chose “Let ’er rip” as his epitaph. Farewell, funny man.
