A Picorial Tribute to Leslie Nielsen on His 100th Birthday

It was 100 years ago on this date that Leslie Neilsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. His career spanned 60 years and he appeared in both films and on television. What is more, there was a good deal of variety in Leslie Nielsen's performances. He appeared in dramatic roles in such classic movies as Forbidden Planet (1956) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972), but may be best known for his comedic work on the TV show Police Squad! and such movies as Airplane! (1980) and the "Naked Gun" movies (spun-off from Police Squad!). In tribute to Mr. Nielsen on the occasion of his centenary, there are some images from his career. 

Years before his movie career began, Leslie Nielsen made his television debut in 1950 on an episode of Actors Studio. He made several guest appearances on television in the early to mid-Fifties on such shows as Stage 13, The Magnavox Theatre, Lights Out, and You Are There. Here he is the Suspense episode "The Brush Off" from 1950.

Here is Leslie Nielsen as Commander John J. Adams from Forbidden Planet (1956). It was only his second film as an actor and his first starring role.

Although he continued to appear on television, by the late Fifties, Leslie Nielsen was a bona fide movie star. Here he is with Debbie Reynolds in a promotional photo for Tammy and the Bachelor (1957).

Leslie Nielsen made several guest appearances on television in the Sixties. He guest starred on The Virginian five times alone, playing a different character each time. Here is H.M.Wynant with Leslie Nielsen from the episode "The Fortress." 

A promotional photo of Leslie Nielsen as Major Fred Gifford in The Reluctant Astronaut (1967). He played opposite lead actor Don Knotts and was one of his earliest comedic roles. 

Bracken's World was a drama series that centred on Century Studios, headed by John Bracken. In the first season, John Bracken was unseen, although Warren Stevens provided his voice. For the second season, Leslie Nielsen joined the cast to play John Bracken. The show was cancelled in its second season at 15 episodes.

 

Leslie Nielsen continued to guest star on such television shows as Ironside and M*A*S*H and in such movies as The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Day of the Animals (1977). He had a bit of a recurring role on the TV show Kung Fu, appearing in four episodes as the villainous Vincent Corbino. 
 

In 1980, Leslie Nielsen appeared in the movie Airplane! as Dr. Rumack. The movie would totally turn Mr. Nielsen's career alone. Previously known for dramatic roles, he would become best known for his comedy roles. 

David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, who gave the world Ariplane!, created the TV show Police Squad!, on which Leslie Nielsen played Lt. Frank Drebin. The show would only last six episodes, but proved to be a cult series. It ultimately inspired the "Naked Gun" movies, of which the first was The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! in 1988. In the end, Leslie Nielsen would make several more parodies, including Repossessed (1990) and Spy Hard (1996).