When I was 10, my parents took my brother and I on a vacation to Boston. It was the first big city I’d ever seen. But I only really remember one thing about that trip – seeing The Naked Gun in a cool underground theater. The perfect mix of brilliant one-liners, elegantly staged slapstick sequences and spot-on comic acting, the movie was the funniest thing I’d ever seen. And the main reason it all worked was Leslie Nielsen, who passed away Sunday at the age of 84. Nielsen played Lt. Frank Drebin like a steely-eyed king of the asphalt jungle, scorned by his ex-wife, struggling to find meaning in the world, murdering people at Shakespeare in the Park. He was the straight man and the funny guy, never cracking a smile yet delivering jokes with impeccable comic timing. In today’s comedy universe, nobody’s pulling that off. And while TNG is his masterpiece, Nielsen gave us much more, from Airplane to Police Squad, the quality Naked Gun sequels, and the inspired bit parts in Scary Movie 3 and 4.
I miss you already, Mr. Nielsen. I’m sure that in heaven, if you get somebody a harp for Christmas, they won’t ask you what it is.
sweensryche.com 
It truly is amazing how much this man connected — he seemingly reached effortlessly across all generations to bring laughter and silly puns to the masses.
He will be missed. 😦
I used to love his movies as well. Hope he lived a good life.
I loved the Naked Gun movies growing up…especially because of him. He will be missed!!
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I have to admit, I didn’t even find his movies that particularly funny, but there was something about Mr. Nielsen that made you like him. To use a really beaten expresson, he had a “positive vibe” 🙂
Evil
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His comedy is wonderful, but don’t forget about the movies from his younger years! Forbidden Planet (1956) is one of my all time favorite movies, and he was SO SEXY there! Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) is another classic. That one is sort of the backdrop to my grandparents’ love story.
He was one of a kind & I am sad to see him go.
~ Meagan
R.I.P Mr. Nielsen, what a great actor and comedian, Airplane was a childhood favorite. Good Blog.
“Ted Striker: Surely you can’t be serious.
Rumack: I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.”
LOL…. Love the movie.
I was in high school when Police Squad was on the air, and I still remember my disappointment that TV audiences didn’t get the humor. I still laugh at Airplane and The Naked Gun all these years later. Thanks for commemorating the sad loss of this fantastic actor.
Nice post. “Naked Gun” and “Airplane!” are two movies that I will watch any time they’re on tv. I belong to one of those families which communicates by quoting movie lines. Leslie Nielsen movies always make it into the mix. 🙂 It’s hard to believe he’s gone.
-Jen
http://sasfiction.wordpress.com
http://littlecreekvet.wordpress.com
Can’t agree more! Lines from Airplane seamlessly worked their way into our vernacular without us noticing. My middle name happens to be Shirley and I wave that banner proudly! He will be missed. What a gem. Thanks for posting.
Wonderful actor and terrific comedian. I will definitely miss him too.
I love his work, we will miss you RIP Leslie!
leslie nielson is a legend. RIP
http://enjoibeing.wordpress.com/
I also loved the naked gun movies, and I too miss him already.
great post.
We will surely miss him.
He was also great in his dramatic roles: I love Forbidden Planet, which I first saw soon after seeing The Naked Gun.
Also, he had a bit part as Gordon Cutter in 2002’s “Men with Brooms”!
AMAZING ACTOR!!
A touching tribute,Honey. He was one of our finest comedic actors.
I remember him in Forbidden Planet as well, and I loved him in Police Squad, that was just a hilarious show. Of course he was brilliant in Airplane “don’t call me Shirley” and the Naked Gun films as well.
Rest in peace Leslie, we miss you already…
Absolute Comic Genius, that was Neilsen. Great post and congrats on being freshly pressed.
Another tear in the fabric of my life, I will miss him.
DS
I loved Airplane! and Police Squad. He will be missed.
http://curmudgeonlyone.wordpress.com
Holy crap! Thanks for reading, everyone. And to WordPress for finding this “freshly pressed” worthy. I feel like Sally Field! But then again, I feel like her most days.
When I was young I remember his characters being very serious and dramatic. Then came “Airplane!” To see him playing a supposedly serious Dr. but in a comedic role was just hilarious (same with Peter Graves)! Then “The Naked Gun” movies came out and he was just so perfect for this type of comedy! I just saw “Scary Movie 4” recently on DVD and was just rolling!
He is SO going to be missed! Great tribute! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Funny guy — how amazing to have had one entire career playing rock-jawed leading men, and an entire second career making fun of the first career. 🙂
Congrats on being pressed! Great post. Too be honest, being the young man that I am, I sort of took Leslie Nielsen for granted. I’ve seen him in many roles, roles that made me laugh every time, but I never did take the time to think about how brilliant he was…
Police Squad, so under-rated
Ya, he had his nice niche.
Thanks for honoring Leslie Nielsen – I love him in the Airplane movies as well as Naked Gun. His comedic guiness will truly be missed!
http://notcomplicated.net
I really liked his voice.
His lines are classic and memorable and his deadpan face just makes me laugh!!
R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen
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I can’t think of many movies that are still as great when you are watching them for the 4th or 5th time. However, “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” are two such movies. Surely, he was a master of his craft (pun definitely intended). Rest In Peace, Leslie. You will be missed.
awesomefind.wordpress.com
He was the best, he’ll be always in our heart. Thank you Leslie for all.
[…] Surely, a comedy genius. (via Sweensryche sez …) Posted on November 29, 2010 by inislamicworld When I was 10, my parents took my brother and I on a vacation to Boston. It was the first big city I'd ever seen. But I only really remember one thing about that trip – seeing The Naked Gun in a cool underground theater. The perfect mix of brilliant one-liners, elegantly staged slapstick sequences and spot-on comic acting, the movie was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. And the main reason it all worked was Leslie Nielsen, who passed away Sunday … Read More […]
First I lose my adorable 83 year old grandpa Leslie Penn in April.. now my beloved Les Nielsen? Such a depressing year 😦
Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed and enjoy the ride.
I blogged about Leslie Nielsen today too. He was not just a lovable goofball and a consummate pratfaller, he was also one of advertising’s most successful pitchmen. Here’s my tribute to the passing (wind) of a legend complete with video of him farting on breakfast television! http://bit.ly/hVFCFH
Don’y call him Shirley.
RIP
airplane is such a classic as well. i love that movie! he will definitely be missed. and congratulations on being freshly pressed!
Wow, he really looks like Ted Danson in this picture, doesn’t he? I love firenadair’s comment.
i really love this funny man’s movies…nowadays all comedy movies are not comedy at all..just copying another movies act in a funny way but fail to make someone laugh.
Leslie nielsen in all of his movies can bring a fresh comedy and loud laugh. Great Tribute for Leslie Nielsen…i miss him so much
he had a talent to roll with the best, making people laugh.
With all the great comic acting, don’t forget the classic: FORBIDDEN PLANET!
It’s so sad someone as great as him passed away. I used to crack up all the time at Dracula: Dead and Loving It.
THanks for acknowledging his passing. A sublime comedian. His movies are classics. Very good to see you pressed, and for this post!
Oh wow… I didn’t know this 😦
I thought the Police Squad series was brilliant but seemed to be under-rated in the UK.
I remember how at the end of every episode someone would end the show with a one liner and then the action would freeze as the credits rolled, except they didn’t freeze the film the actors just …… acted frozen.
They froze once poring coffe out of a jug into a cup and the coffee kept pouring until it was overflowing from the cup and Nielson dropped the cup and you could see his eyes move – hilarious.
My fave line was from the locksmith episode –
” Who are you and how did you get in?”
Nielson – ” I’m a locksmith and I’m a locksmith ” – genius
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He was never a big star before comedy, but his face was extremely well known, and it was just totally off the wall when he started doing comedy.
I heard a good line on the news tonight. The first half of his career he played serious guys who never smiled, and in the second half of his career he played serious guys who never smiled.
He will be missed!
He will be surely missed.
Ohhh I just got the news from your blog…..and he was 84? my god…
He is one of the best comic artists that I have seen in Hollywood and one of my favourites.
I am feeling a bit low now….that I cannot see this fabulous actor in any other movie again…..
Neilsen, I love his natural performance.
I spent many hours laughing at him.
Blessings,
Ava
xox
Nice tribute to a great actor.
Love your post, but please correct your grammar in the opening line!
You write, “my brother and I” This should be, “my brother and ME” Caps accentuated. It’s just such a grammatical turn off from the beginning. Otherwise great writing.
Lelie Nielsen has created his own trademark in comedy.
He don’t need to be compared with other comedians because he was unique in his style.
Good bye Leslie Nielsen, you touched my life.
I so loved “The Naked Gun”, everytime I’d see Nielsen on any movie I could always remember him on that movie. He made a lot of us laugh on his films, truly a great comedian he is.
So long Mr. Nielsen, you will always be remembered.
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Always, always got a few laughs out of me. As the Dutch always said, ‘A day without laughter, is a day not lived.’ He certainly generated more than his share of laughs.
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One of my favourites…will look forward to any re-runs of his movies on the TV.
Era el mejor.
Leslie Nielsen was the King of Slapstick. RIP. Much missed.
This is a very sad day for comedians throughout the world. He will be missed!
I’ve been watching him since Airplane!, and then even the shortlived television series Police Squad! which was the basis for The Naked Gun.
All hail the King.
http://futuretom.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/godspeed-leslie-nielson/
R.I.P. to a comic genius.
There is certainly something about this legend that made those films the icons they are. I don’t think for second they would’ve been as successful without Neilsen spearheading them.
His deadpan acting and timing are poetry in motion.
They certainly don’t make ’em like that anymore.
RIP
enjoyed this
i also wrote a tribute to share my thoughts on leslie with the world
http://burgsworld.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/thank-you-leslie-nielsen-the-dont-call-me-shirley-edition/
I’ll sure miss Leslie. He was a very funny actor and has had some great moments in cinema history. God bless his warm soul. 😦
So sad you will be missed
Love the movies, love his life. ~ZW
The Naked Gun series, probably one of the few slapstick comedies that I have enjoyed. Watched a rerun of the first franchise recently before his passing, my family and I could not stop laughing. RIP Leslie Nielsen.