Actor Leslie Nielsen of Airplane & Naked Gun Fame Dies at Age 84

Surely you can’t be serious, actor  Leslie Nielsen has passed away at the age of 85.

Sad news from an actor that brought us so many laughs. Actor Leslie Nielsen has passed away at the age of 85 after a long bought with pneumonia. Believe it or not, Nielsen used to do serious acting roles; however, was best known for his dead pan humor in such movies as Airplane, Police Squad and the Naked Gun series.

Rest in Peace Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen, the Canadian-born actor who in middle age tossed aside three decades of credibility in dramatic and romantic roles to make a new, far more successful career as a comic actor in films like “Airplane!” and the “Naked Gun” series, died on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84.

According to The Associated Press, his agent, John S. Kelly, said Mr. Nielsen died at a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale where he was being treated for pneumonia.

 More at Boing Boing with videos of many movie clips. More from The Hollywood Reporter:

“We are sadden by the passing of beloved actor Leslie Nielsen, probably best remembered as Lt. Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun series of pictures, but who enjoyed a more than 60-year career in motion pictures and television,” said a statement from Nielsen’s family released through his rep.

Nielsen died surrounded by family including his wife, Barbaree, and friends.

Nielsen was born Feb. 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He came to Hollywood in the mid-1950s after performing in 150 live TV dramas in New York. His acting career spanned several decades, starting with episodes of series including The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse and Tales of Tomorrow and encompassing several genres.

God bless and rest in peace.