'Police Squad' Star Leslie Nielsen Dies at 84

Sad news: Leslie Nielsen, star of the short-lived but classic TV comedy 'Police Squad!' has died at the age of 84.

Nielsen died of complications from pneumonia at a Fort Lauderdale, FL hospital.

Nielsen had a lot of other TV roles over the years, a career that started on 'Actor's Studio' in 1950 to the Canadian comedy 'Robson Arms' in 2007. In between he guest starred in shows like 'The Golden Girls' (his character ended up marrying Dorothy), 'Due South,' 'Evening Shade,' 'Who's The Boss?' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'Highway to Heaven,' 'Hotel,' 'Fantasy Island,' 'Vega$,' 'The Love Boat,' 'SWAT,' 'Kojak,' 'Kung Fu,' 'The Rookies,' 'Ironside,' Hawaii Five-0,' 'Night Gallery,' 'M*A*S*H,' 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,' 'Gunsmoke,' 'Peyton Place,' and countless other shows.

After 'Police Squad' ended, he continued the role in three big-screen versions of the series, the 'Naked Gun' films. Other movies that Nielsen appeared in included 'Airplane,' 'Tammy and the Bachelor,' 'Forbidden Planet,' 'Mr. Magoo,' 'All I Want For Christmas,' Soul Man,' 'Creepshow,' and 'The Posieden Adventure.' At the time of his death he was working on 'The Waterman Movie.'



It's funny to look back and see Nielsen in serious roles after seeing him in 'Police Squad!' and 'Airplane,' since they were played pretty straight forward and Nielsen always delivered his lines so deadpan.

Scantily-clad dancer: "Is this some kind of bust'?
Lt. Frank Drebin: "Yes ma'am, it's very impressive, but we'd just like to ask you a few questions."

Gangster: "Who are you and how'd you get in here"?
Lt. Frank Drebin: "I'm a locksmith...and I'm a locksmith."

Nielsen is survived by his wife and two daughters from a previous marriage.

(And don't call him Shirley.)