The comedy actor – best known for his role in movies ‘Airplane!’ and the ‘Naked Gun’ series – died in his sleep yesterday as a result of complications from pneumonia yesterday (28.11.10) in Ford Lauderdale, Florida.
His agent John S. Kelly confirmed the star’s passing in a statement which also paid tribute to his lengthy career.
He said: “We are saddened by the passing of beloved actor Leslie Nielson, 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.”
His nephew Doug told radio station CJOB the actor was a “very caring” man who he would miss “greatly”
He said: “He just fell asleep and passed away. He was a truly nice man. A very caring, naturally funny guy in day-to-day life, not just because someone wrote something on paper for me.
“He was a very tender-hearted man. He was one of my best friends and I loved him dearly. I’ll miss him greatly.”
Canadian-born Leslie appeared in a number of big movies before his break into comedy, including sci-fi epic ‘Forbidden Planet’ and ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ in 1972.
He was married four times and is survived by his last wife Barbaree Earl and two children from his second marriage to Alisande Ullman, Maura and Thea.
