One of my greatest regrets of this year has been not finding the time to individually write about the loss of so many legendary names in the entertainment world.  I have been acknowledging their passing on Twitter, but sometimes this hardly seems enough.  Today’s news reporting the death of legendary Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen due to complications from pneumonia, comes as a particular shock.

 

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan on the 11th of February 1926, Nielsen started out as a serious actor, with guest roles on many well-known TV shows.  But he is undeniably best known for his hilarious work in numerous great comedies.  It’s hard to find someone unfamiliar with quoting such brilliant spoof movies as Airplane! and The Naked Gun trilogy.

 

Few actors could deliver outrageously funny lines with as much deadpan seriousness as Leslie Nielsen.  He will be missed, may he rest in peace.

 

-John C.