Open Happy Birthday Thread: Leslie Nielsen

"I've finally found someone I can love – a good, clean love… without utensils"

I once heard the story about Nielsen that he carries a whoopie-cushion with him wherever he goes. The guy has a great natural sense of humor.

Happy birthday, Nielsen.

Frank Drebbin, cruising down I-5, just as SONGS comes into view: "Everywhere I look, I see something that reminds me of her."

Thanks, Mr. Neilsen, and Happy Birthday!

Don't call him Shirley!

But surely you can't deny:

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FIRST UNDENIABLE POLICY SUCCESS!

http://naturalfake.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/presi...

Congratulations, Mr President!

Happy birthday Leslie. What a great guy.

Happy Birthday, and thanks for all the fun you've brought to life!

A serious actor who, through the intervention of the Zucker brothers, unleashed his inner buffoon and a glorious second, late-life career as the King of movie paradies.

I recall the A&E biography segment on Leslie Nielsen some years ago, and how Charlton Heston said that it is a rare thing to get a second chance in film, but that Leslie Nielsen richly deserved his success as a comedic actor.

Amen to that, Mr. Heston!

And thanks for the memories and the giggles, Mr. Nielsen! Happy birthday, sir!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Nielsen! May all your trips to all-night wicker stores be helpful.

"It was one of those all-night wicker stores."

"I'm afraid your husband is dead."

"Oh no!! What'll I tell the children?"

"How about this — a big monster came and took him to Daddy Heaven."

Doctor: "Alec, you're a fat slob".
Alec "Doc, I want a second opinion".
Doctor: "You're an asshole, too".

Forbidden Planet is one of the greatest movies EVAR! Leslie Neilsen.

Happy birthday, Mr. Nielsen! No one does deadpan comedy better.

Mayor: "Now Drebin, I don't want any trouble like you had on the South Side last year, that's my policy."

Frank: "Well, when I see five weirdos, dressed in togas, stabbing a man in the middle of the park in full view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards, that's *my* policy!"

Mayor: "That was a Shakespeare-In-The-Park production of 'Julius Caesar,' you moron! You killed five actors! Good ones! "

*******

"It's a topsy-turvy world, and maybe the problems of two people don't amount to a hill of beans. But this is our hill. And these are our beans! "

Leslie rules. His NFL promo still makes me laugh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTHsNVXXlus

Since Star Trek emulated and was preceded by "Forbidden Planet", you can say he was William Shatner before there was a William Shatner.

Forbidden Planet to Spanish movie…

Leslie William Neilsen…

"Don't call him Shirley…"

The studios originally wanted to develop him into a "leading man" type…funny ol' world, ain't it…?

Good for you, Roger Ebert, although the damage to your rep already may be done.

H.B., Leslie Nielsen.

He was originally cast as "Cleotus" in THE WIZARD OF OZ, but lost the role to Judy Garland's cousin. (To this day, he and Garland are not on speaking terms.) Discouraged, he came back to Hollywood with only 10 dollars, lost it all before he even left the bus terminal and then went back to Canada. Soon Toronto beckoned and he was cast as "Little Joe" in the all-white version of CABIN IN THE SKY. The rest, as they say, is history.

Happy Birthday Mr. Nielsen. Thanks for the yuk yuks!

"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."

LOL! I'm not sure that is how the second line goes so I'll have to re-check my dvd. Didn't he ride a raindeer with a shiny nose into battle with the British?

Happy Birthday Leslie. Forbidden Planet was probably the first real sci-fi movie that the studios actually spent some real money on. If it had failed a lot of sci-fi flicks would never had been made and the whole genre would have been set back years. His work in that role was outstanding and it (along with the Ann Francis pool scene) as well as the special effects helped make it a major success and paved the way for more.
By the by, his brother Erik (passed way in 2008) was a major figure in Canadian politics for years. He was Deputy Prime Minister for a time and was also (after his political life) chairman of the National Transportation Board. He got together with his brother in a spoof TV special called the "Canadian Connection"

Leslie Nielsen? I thought it was Enrique Palazzo!

Happy birthday Mr. Nielsen! Thanks for the countless belly-laughs.

Thanks, Mr. Nielsen, for taking care of my poor Krell.

Your career has been wonderful, so much so that I can turn a blind eye to Mr. Magoo….
Many happy returns, sir.

To my mind, truly great actors are equally adept at comedy and drama. Leslie Neilsen is the epitome of that definition. His dramatic acting is as professional, therefore, as believable as his comedy schtick. Not to mention, I cannot recall ever having to read about his personal life or political opinions at any time. Because I have difficulty separating the performer from his or her personal life and opinions, that alone makes him an entertainment god worthy of adoration. Thank you so very much, Mr. Neilsen, for all the tears of laughter you've given me.

"Like a midget at a urinal, I'd have to stay on my toes."

Frank: A good cop – needlessly cut down by some cowardly hoodlums.
Ed: That's no way for a man to die.
Frank: No… you're right, Ed. A parachute not opening… that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine… having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go!
Wilma Nordberg: Oh… Frank. This is terrible!
Ed: Don't you worry, Wilma. Your husband is going to be alright. Don't you worry about anything. Just think positive. Never let a doubt enter your mind.
Frank: He's right, Wilma. But I wouldn't wait until the last minute to fill out those organ donor cards.

Great actor, funny as hell, definately one of a kind.

Sales Girl: Is this a bust?

Frank: Yes, it's very impressive.

So far, I've noticed no one has mentioned Leslie's 1957 film with Debbie Reynolds, "Tammy and the Bachelor", with Walter Brennen… the perky Debbie and handsome Leslie…

I was close!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT-3V3Lv-so

And here is the other Disney fox fello – ZORRO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSgbxPtyv1U

This guy makes me laugh. I love his humor.

"Cigarette?"
"Yes, I know."
"Well…"

I met Mr. Nielsen at the Miss USA Pageant in Biloxi, MS, in 1979, I believe. After the show ended, I ran down and tried to get Bob Barker and Leslie Nielsen's autographs. Bob Barker was (and probably still is) an ass. Leslie Nielsen was cordial and friendly and kind. He engaged his fans in a bit of conversation as he took the time to sign autographs. A real class act if ever there was one. Happy Birthday, Leslie. Thank you for years of entertainment enjoyment.

That's why he's great – he's never politicized his act, and I for one have never heard him badmouthing our country or the right or the left. Way to be – I wish other entertainers / celebrities were the same.

Enrico Palazzo singing the National Anthem- my favorite moment.! Happy birthday to a very funny, warm gentleman.

Ed: What I'm trying to say is that, Wilma, as soon as Nordberg is better, he's welcome back at Police Squad.
Frank: Unless he's a drooling vegetable. But I think that's only common sense.

Let's not forget his role as the coach in "Men With Brooms", the greatest, and only, Curling movie made.

This day was also the birthday of Burt Reynolds, Jeb Bush, Sarah Palin, Thomas Edison, and me.

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