On This Day – November 28th

Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian actor, comedian, and producer. He appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters.

Although his notable performances in the films Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure gave him standing as a serious actor, Nielsen later gained enduring recognition for his deadpan comedy roles during the 1980s, after being cast against type for the comedy film Airplane!.

In his comedy roles, Nielsen specialized in portraying characters oblivious to and complicit in their absurd surroundings. Nielsen's performance in Airplane! marked his turning point, which made him "the Olivier of spoofs" – as described by film critic Roger Eber – leading to further success in the genre with The Naked Gun film series, based on the earlier short-lived television series Police Squad!, in which Nielsen also starred.

Nielsen married four times: nightclub singer Monica Boyar (1950-1956), Alisande Ullman (1958-1973), Brooks Oliver (1981-1983), and Barbaree Earl (2001-2010). He had two daughters from his second marriage, Maura and Thea Nielsen.

Nielsen often played golf. He once said: "I have no goals or ambition. I do, however, wish to work enough to maintain whatever celebrity status I have so that they will continue to invite me to golf tournaments."

Nielsen was known as a practical joker, often pranking people with a portable hand-controlled fart machine. He died in Florida on 28th November 2010, aged 84. His epitaph was a final reference to this, his favourite practical joke:

"Let 'er rip!"

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