Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
BREAKING NEWS

VIDEO: Comedy Legend Leslie Nielsen Dead At 84

//_mkh_r_

Nov. 29 2010, Published 11:45 a.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to Email

Actor Leslie Nielsen, who starred in hit comedy films such as Airplane! and The Naked Gun, died of complications from pneumonia at a Fort Lauderdale hospital Sunday at the age of 84, RadarOnline.com has learned.

Nielsen, who played the role of Lt. Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun franchise and pilot Dr. Rumack in Airplane!, passed away in his sleep with his friends and his wife by his side, his nephew Doug Nielsen said.

Article continues below advertisement

Nielsen, a native Canadian, carried both comedy films with his straight-faced deadpan, which made for some of the most quoted punch lines in Hollywood history.

"Surely you can't be serious," a passenger told him in Airplane!, to which Dr. Rumack said, "I am serious -- and don't call me Shirley."

One of Nielsen's classic lines as Lt. Frank Drebin from Naked Gun was: "I promise you -- whatever scum did this, not one man on this force will rest one minute until he's behind bars ... now, let's grab a bite to eat."

MORE ON:
hollywood happenings

As news spread of his passing, a number of today's foremost comics took to Twitter to pay tribute to the white-haired funnyman.

Comedian Greg Giraldo Dies Following Overdose

Russell Brand Tweeted, "RIP. Leslie Nielsen. Shirley, he will be missed," while Jeffrey Ross Tweeted, "R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen. They're burying him in an overhead compartment," both nods to the actor's Airplane! role. Comedian Jim Norton Tweeted Nielsen’s death was "sad news” as “he was one funny bastard."

Nielsen also starred in films such as All I Want for Christmas, Dracula: Dead and Loving It and Spy Hard, as well as Police Squad, a Naked Gun TV adaptation that had a short run on ABC.

Nielsen was married four times, and had two children from his second marriage, Maura and Thea Nielsen.

RELATED STORIES:

Surfing Champ Andy Irons Death Investigated As Possible Drug Overdose

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Advertisement

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF EMPIRE MEDIA GROUP INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.