Leslie Nielsen, the Canadian King of Deadpan, has made audiences laugh unexpectedly, and from the unlikeliest of set-ups since 1980. His ability to take jokes seriously without even trying was his (in)formal way of method acting that resulted in seriously funny films. However, Nielsen did have a number of dramatic roles starting in the 1950s. He earned the typecast of the austere devotee, willing to get the job done. Later in his career, he learned how to not take life, and himself, too seriously, when he decided to break out into comedy. Nielsen taught viewers two things: one, how to laugh at the small and the big stuff; and two, it is never too late to make a change for the better. From stellar dramas to clever wordplay and slapstick to visual gags, these are the best Leslie Nielsen performances.
7Repossessed (1990)
Nielsen takes the backseat in this parody ofThe Exorcist, wherehe plays Father Jededaiah Mayii, an ex-exorcist who comes out of retirement when Nancy Aglet (Linda Blair; yes, the real Linda Blair) gets possessed by the Devil again, watching false TV Evangelist, Ernest Weller. The story is B-movie beautiful with solid punchlines and sacrilegious silliness, but the third act does linger with its cameos and references. The comedic timing was not divine timing for Nielsen, but at least thisExorcist rip-offwas fun to watch. Although, his Irish Catholic accent and idiolect must have come from the Ninth Circle of Hell. Over-the-top yet passive, Nielsen presents a believable performance that sits upon cloud nine.
In another horror satire, Nielsen portrays the classic monster, Dracula, withanother comedy legend, Mel Brooks, as Professor Van Helsing. The costumes and stage production are gothic, albeit kitsch. Theatrics assume more priority than the acting, as jokes feel more forced than landed. Nielsen’s screen time here is arguably less than that ofRepossessed, which hurts the film as well. Scenes with the supernaturallycompromised Thomas Renfieldare convincing, but not so entertaining. The leading ladies, Minah Seward and Lucy Westenra, were a welcomed break from the bumbling Jonathan Harker and Dr. Seward; darlings that were slayed all too soon. The film is a slow crawl to death, and unfortunately, it wasn’t the laughter that killed this vampire. When the Count does rear his perfectly quaffed, stark white hair, Nielsen plays the undead bloodsucker with the grace and menace of Bela Lugosi.
Related:The Best Performances In Mel Brooks Movies, Ranked
5Wrongfully Accused (1998)
Nielsen brings more parodied folly as world-renowned violinist Ryan Harrison (a loving jab at Harrison Ford’s namesake) as he runs away from an affair he did not have with a woman, only to be framed for the murder of her husband. A direct parody ofThe Fugitive,Wrongfully Accusedis a tongue-in-cheek thriller that has all the trappings of a good comedy. The frazzled, self-serious determination of the cops coupled with the ludicrous Looney Tunes antics and non sequiturs from the man of action both effortlessly bounce off each other. There are plenty of references to classic cinema and eighties and nineties dramas and crime thrillers that still hold up too. Nielsen gets a big thumbs-up, one-eye-up, one-arm-up, and one-leg-up.
4Creepshow (1982)
In George A. Romero andStephen King’s horror anthology, Nielsen stars in the short story, “Something to Tide You Over.” He plays a vengeful old man named Richard, looking to settle the affair his wife, Becky Vickers, had with another man, Harry Wentworth. The slow, methodical gait and speech he delivers is nothing short of unnerving. The disgruntled villain leads Henry to a beach where Becky is supposedly buried. Richard sets a trap and buries both lovers near the water at different ends of the beach. The horizon is looking farther and farther as the tide rolls in closer and closer. What’s worse, Richard records his dirty work like he’s the proud owner of a Blockbuster. No one pegged thecomedic actor to be so ruthless, but his love-to-hate-him role proves not all Canadians are nice.
3Forbidden Planet (1956)
Not only was this Nielsen’s first starring role, he was also the leading man in a film that transformed the science fiction genre forever. Searching for what became of a missing expedition party, Commander John J. Adams finds instead the remains of the Krell, an extinct alien civilization, now inhabited by its sole survivors: Dr. Morbius and his daughter, Altaira. His acting chops are simple but pensive, comparable to a discerning Buzz Lightyear and a selfless Han Solo. Good writing carriesForbidden Planet, and so does the unassuming charm of Nielsen. Subtle, but powerful, Nielsen’s careful balance between urgency and intrigue captures and frees the curiosity of the viewer.
2Airplane! (1980)
While the story ofAirplane!is a romantic parody of cell-shocked veterans and their doting, but discerning wives, Nielsen manages to steal the limelight in his first comedy debut. Playing Dr. Rumack; the flight crew and passengers grow ill after eating bad fish for dinner aboard the Trans American airline. This was one of his more subtle performances, but subtlety is where he excels. For a doctor, Dr. Rumack is certainly a slippery, silly sleuth. Words and actions do not necessarily align with the doctor, and with each viewing, the gags never get old. His screen time is both wasted and never wasted intentionally and unintentionally.Airplane!has airtight writing (who could forget Autopilot Otto and his manual inflation module?) that gives audiences a window seat into the wacky head-in-the-clouds imagination of a serious man whose name is not Shirley.
Related:The Best Murder Mystery Comedies, Ranked
IfThe Naked Gunhad a different title, it would be “Dad Jokes: The Punny Kind.” Every culturally insensitive, politically incorrect, time capsule reference, and absurdist form of comedy finds its way into this legendary trilogy. Who better to express it than Lieutenant Frank Drebin of Police Squad, the dimwitted cop with a heart of gold. The noir and crime procedural spoof gained its due popularity after its failed television series,Police Squad!in 1982. Paramount Pictures came to their senses, and the dry, deadpan detective work of Frank Drebin lived to see another day on the force, on the big screen, in 1988.A reboot ofThe Naked Gunfranchise is said to be in the works, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine did run for eight seasons, so the possibilities, and puns, are endless. But there’s nothing quite like a stuffed beaver.
