American actor of Canadian origin, Leslie Nielsen, has appeared in more than 200 film and television series. Most recognizable from the comedies "The Naked Pistol", "Airplane", "Dracula: Dead and Satisfied".
Biography of Leslie Nielsen
The future actor was born on February 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He grew up 320 km from the Arctic Circle, where his father served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The boy's father, Ingward Eversen Nielsen, is of Danish descent, and his mother, Mabel Elizabeth Davis, is of Welsh origin. In addition to Leslie, two more brothers grew up in the family. The older brother, Eric Nielsen, would later serve as a member of the Canadian Parliament for a long time, serve as a cabinet minister and become Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1986.
In an interview, the actor recalled that there were just over 10 people in the town where his family lived, and if his father suddenly arrested someone in the winter, then he had to wait for a thaw to hand him over to the authorities. The father was an unbalanced person and often beat his wife and children, from which the young Leslie had to run away from home.
When Leslie Nielsen graduated from high school at 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, despite having hearing problems and wearing a hearing aid for the rest of his days.
After World War II, Leslie got a job at a radio station as a DJ, then studied at a radio school in Toronto.
Leslie Nielsen was inspired to become an actor by his uncle, who did not live to see the beginning of the career of a young artist.
Nelsen showed interest in studies, received a scholarship and moved from Canada to the United States, to New York, to study theater and music, and then try his hand at television. Money was difficult, so the actor had to interrupt with "ketchup and sandwiches." Leslie Nielsen was actively involved in television projects, but this did not bring much income. One day in a bar he met Mr. Deth, who confessed that he followed the work of the young actor and proposed his candidacy to become Nielsen's agent. On the advice of Mr. Deth, Leslie decided to risk it all and go to Hollywood, where the actors receive $ 5,000 each.
Actor Leslie Nielsen's career
Leslie first came to Hollywood in the 1950s. The actor's appearance had a positive effect on the fact that many directors wanted to see a tall, blue-eyed blonde in their films, perfect for leading roles.
In 1956, Leslie Nielsen landed the role of a spaceship commander in the science fiction classic film Forbidden Planet. Soon the film company Metro Golden Mayer signed a seven-year contract with the aspiring actor. Leslie Nielsen received offers to play leading roles in films. The actor did not quit his job on television either, agreeing to occasional participation in the series as an invited guest. Some time later, the actor canceled his contract with MGM to appear in a number of minor TV series and films.
In 1972, the two-hour disaster film The Adventures of Poseidon was released internationally, in which Nielsen played the captain of an ocean liner caught in a violent storm. As a result, the ship turned upside down, and the passengers were faced with an important question of survival. The film received positive reviews from critics and was awarded two Oscars.
In the first half of her long career, Leslie Nielsen often took on the roles of serious characters, starring mainly in dramas, crime thrillers, and westerns. However, behind the camera, he was always cheerful in nature, often joked with his colleagues and liked to play them.
After the release of the legendary American film "Airplane" in 1980, Nielsen gained a reputation as a comedian.
Then the actor starred in such well-known successful comedies as "The Naked Pistol", "Naked Pistol 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear", "Naked Pistol 33 1/3: The Final Thrust", "Banishing Again", "Dracula: Dead and Satisfied "," Mister Magu "," The Sixth Element ".
Leslie Nielsen also starred in several episodes of the famous detective series Columbo and Murder, She Wrote.
Leslie Nielsen's recent films include the comedy Scary Movie 3, Scary Movie 4, Superhero Movie, Very Spanish Movie and Stan Helsing.
Leslie Nielsen's personal life
The actor was in four marriages.
The first wife was an aspiring actress and nightclub singer, Monica Boyer. The marriage lasted just under seven years, from December 1950 to June 1957.
In 1958, Leslie Nielsen married Alisanda Ullmann. After 18 years of marriage, the couple decided to divorce. In this marriage, two daughters were born: Maura and Thea.
The actor's third marriage to Bobby Brooks Oliver lasted three years, from November 1981 to December 1984.
The last, fourth marriage, Nielsen called the happiest. His companion was the actress Barbara Earl, known for the films Guilty Without Guilt, Dracula: Dead and Contented, and The Family Plan. He called her "my lady" and "the real love of all life." The actors tied the knot in 2001. The marriage lasted over 9 years, until the death of Leslie Nielsen.
Leslie Nielsen loved sports, especially golf.
Death of Leslie Nielsen
The Naked Gun star passed away at the age of 84 after 12 days in a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He was surrounded by his wife Barbara, family and friends. The cause of death was complications from pneumonia.
