Leslie Nielsen, Dead At 84

The Saskatchewan-born actor, known for both comedic and dramatic roles, passed away on Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale after falling ill with pneumonia.

As a teenager in Canada, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After starting in radio in his homeland, he brought his matinee-idol good looks to New York to study at the Actors Studio. Nielsen worked in the television industry in the 1950s, breaking out in the science fiction film Forbidden Planet. In the 1960s and 70s, his memorable sonorous voice graced such projects as Peyton Place, Dr. Kildare and The Poseidon Adventure.

Then in 1980, he was cast in perhaps his most famous role, as Dr. Rumack in the film parody Airplane. His character had one of the best comedic retorts in moviedom, the classic and oft-referenced quote: “Surely you can’t be serious!” “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

Two years later, the minds behind Airplane brought him back to television for the cop-show spoof, Police Squad! The show lasted less than half a season, but Nielsen was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Lt. Frank Drebin. The role had continued luck for him for the next decade when he again played Drebin in the silver screen adaptation, The Naked Gun. The film spawned two sequels.

In the years since the Naked Gun franchise, Nielsen appeared in other comedies and spoofs, including most recently the role of the President in the last three Scary Movie films, the newest one to be released in 2011. He also wrote an autobiography, "Naked Truth" in which he hilariously and casually fictionalized his life story, detailing such moments as an affair with Elizabeth Taylor and a rehab stint.

In 2002, he received The Order of Canada, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a civilian.