Leslie Nielsen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Leslie Nielsen OC |
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Nielsen in October 2008
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| Born | Leslie William Nielsen 11 February 1926 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | 28 November 2010 (aged 84) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
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Cause of death
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Pneumonia |
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Resting place
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Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale |
| Citizenship | Canadian American |
| Alma mater | Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation | Actor, Comedian |
| Years active | 1948–2010 |
| Notable work(s) | Forbidden Planet The Poseidon Adventure Airplane! The Naked Gun |
| Spouse(s) | Monica Boyar (1950–1956) Alisande Ullman (1958–1973) Brooks Oliver (1981–1983) Barbaree Earl (2001–2010) |
| Relatives | Erik Nielsen (brother) Jean Hersholt (half-uncle) |
| Signature |  |
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Nielsen enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and worked as a disc jockey before receiving a scholarship to Neighborhood Playhouse. Making his television debut in 1948, he quickly expanded to over 50 television appearances two years later. Nielsen made his film debut in 1956, and began collecting his roles in dramas, westerns, and romance films between the 1950s and the 1970s. Nielsen's performance in the films Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure received positive reviews as a serious actor, although he is primarily known for his comedic roles during the 1980s and the early 1990s.
Although Nielsen's acting career crossed a variety of genres in both television and films, his deadpan delivery in Airplane! marked a turning point in his career, one that would make him, in the words of film critic Roger Ebert, "the Olivier of spoofs."[4] Nielsen enjoyed further success with The Naked Gun film series, based on an earlier short-lived television series Police Squad! in which he also starred. Nielsen's portrayal of comedic characters seemingly oblivious to (and complicit in) their absurd surroundings gave him a reputation as a comedian.[5] Nielsen was recognized with a variety of awards throughout his career, and was inducted into the Canada and Hollywood Walks of Fame.
Contents
Early life
Nielsen had two brothers; his older brother, Erik Nielsen (1924–2008), was Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1986.[10] Ingvard was a troubled man who beat his wife and sons, and Leslie longed to escape. As soon as he graduated from high school at 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, even though he was legally deaf (he wore hearing aids most of his life).[11][12]
His half-uncle, Jean Hersholt, was an actor best known for his portrayal of Dr. Christian in the long-running radio series of the same name and the subsequent television series and films.[13][14] In a 1994 Boston Globe article, Nielsen explained, "I did learn very early that when I would mention my uncle, people would look at me as if I were the biggest liar in the world. Then I would take them home and show them 8-by-10 glossies, and things changed quite drastically. So I began to think that maybe this acting business was not a bad idea, much as I was very shy about it and certainly without courage regarding it. My uncle died not too long after I was in a position to know him. I regret that I had not a chance to know him better."[13]
Nielsen spent several years living in Fort Norman (now Tulita), Northwest Territories where his father was stationed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.[13][15] At the age of 17, following his graduation from Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts in Edmonton, Nielsen enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was trained as an aerial gunner during the latter part of World War II (but was too young to be fully trained or sent overseas).[16] He worked briefly as a disc jockey at a Calgary, Alberta radio station, before enrolling at the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts, Toronto.[13][17] While studying in Toronto, Nielsen received a scholarship to the Neighborhood Playhouse. He noted, "I couldn't refuse, but I must say when you come from the land of the snow goose, the moose and wool to New York, you're bringing every ton of hayseed and country bumpkin that you packed. As long as I didn't open my mouth, I felt a certain security. But I always thought I was going to be unmasked: 'OK, pack your stuff.' 'Well, what's the matter?' 'We've discovered you have no talent; we're shipping you back to Canada.'"[13] He moved to New York City for his scholarship,[6] studying theater and music at the Neighborhood Playhouse, while performing in summer stock theatre.[18] Afterward, he attended the Actors Studio,[19] until making his first television appearance in 1948 on an episode of Studio One, alongside Charlton Heston,[20] for which he was paid US$75.[13]
Career
Early career
"It was a strange era, the tail end of the golden age. A time when
the Tiffany's of filmmakers was burying its head in the sand and trying
to pretend that this new medium (television) was not happening."
Nielsen reflecting on the era when he started acting.[20]
His television appearances include parts in Justice, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Virginian, and The Wild Wild West. In 1961, he was the lead in a taut Los Angeles police drama called The New Breed. He guest starred in a 1964 episode of Daniel Boone with Fess Parker and, in a minor but credited role, Jay Silverheels. In 1968, he had a major role in the pilot film for the popular police series Hawaii Five-O, and later appeared in one of the seventh season episodes. In 1969, he had the leading role as a police officer in The Bold Ones: The Protectors.
In 1972, Nielsen appeared as the ship's captain in the all-star disaster epic The Poseidon Adventure. He also starred in the William Girdler-directed 1977 action film Project: Kill. His last dramatic role before portraying mainly comedy roles was the 1979 Canadian disaster film City on Fire in which he played a corrupt mayor. In 1980, he guest starred as Sinclair on the CBS miniseries The Chisholms.
Airplane! and The Naked Gun
Main articles: Airplane! and The Naked Gun
Nielsen's supporting role of Dr. Rumack in 1980's Airplane! was a major watershed in his career. The ethos of the movie, a parody of dramatic disaster films such as Zero Hour! and Airport,
is largely based on building a comedy around actors who were then known
exclusively for their dramatic roles (other stars included Robert Stack, Peter Graves, and Lloyd Bridges).
Nielsen was the movie's linchpin, his deadpan delivery contrasting with
the continual absurdity surrounding him. When asked, "Surely you can't
be serious?", he responds with a curt, "I am serious. And don't call me
Shirley." In several interviews he later reflected on the significance
of the comedic line: "I thought it was amusing, but it never occurred to
me that it was going to become a trademark. It's such a surprise...the
thing comes out, people say, 'What did he say?!'"[35] Nielsen also stated that he was "...pleased and honored that [he] had a chance to deliver that line."[36] The comedic exchange was at #79 on the American Film Institute's AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes.[37] The American Film Institute also included the film in its list of the top ten comedy films of all time.[38]
The directors, interested in the success of the new comedy, decided to bring a similar style of comedy to television, casting Nielsen in the lead role in their new series, Police Squad!. The series introduced Nielsen as Frank Drebin, the stereotypical police officer modeled after serious characters in earlier police TV series.
Police Squad's opening sequence was based on the 1950s cop show M Squad, (which starred Lee Marvin), which opened with footage of a police car roving through an after-dark urban setting with a big band playing a jazz theme song in the background. The voice-over and the show's organization into "acts" with an epilogue was homage to Quinn Martin police dramas including The Fugitive, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., and Cannon. Much like in Airplane!, Nielsen portrayed a serious character whose one-liners appeared accidental next to the pratfalls and sight gags around him. Although the show was quickly canceled, lasting only six episodes after being juggled between time slots, Nielsen received an Emmy Award[41] nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.[42]
Non-comedic roles included Prom Night (1980) and Creepshow (1982), both horror films. His last dramatic role was as Allen Green, a violent john killed in self-defense by Barbra Streisand's prostitute character, Claudia Draper, in Martin Ritt's courtroom drama Nuts (1987).
Six years after the cancellation of Police Squad!, its directors decided to make a feature length version for theaters. Titled The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. The film returned Nielsen to his role as Frank Drebin. It involved a comical scheme of a ruthless drug kingpin using hypnosis in an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Drebin, like the doctor in Airplane!, seemed unaware of the absurdity around him even when unintentionally contributing toward it. Nielsen later said in an interview that he had done many of his own stunts, "You have an idea of how you're going to do something, and it's your vision... unless you do it, it really doesn't stand a chance."[35] This movie grossed over $78 million at the box office and was well received by critics.[43][44] Ebert's 3½–star review (out of four) noted, "You laugh, and then you laugh at yourself for laughing."[45]
The Naked Gun spawned two sequels: The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). Naked Gun 2½ grossed more than the original, with $86,930,400, while Naked Gun 33⅓ grossed $51,132,600 in receipts.[46][47] Nielsen remained open to the prospects of acting in a fourth Naked Gun film, although he doubted that it would ever be produced—"I don't think so," he said in 2005. "If there hasn't been one by now, I doubt it. I think it would be wonderful."[48]
Nielsen briefly appeared on the World Wrestling Federation program in the summer of 1994 on WWF Monday Night Raw; capitalizing on his Frank Drebin character, Nielsen (and George Kennedy) were hired as "super-sleuths" to unravel the mystery of The Undertaker who had disappeared at January's Royal Rumble event. At SummerSlam 1994, in a Naked Gun parody, they were hot on the case (in fact, they were literally standing on a case). Although they did not actually find The Undertaker, the case had been closed (the literal case had been shut) and thus, they solved the mystery.[49]
Later comedies
Nielsen attempted a variety of similar roles with none achieving the prominence of Frank Drebin. These films mostly emulated the style of The Naked Gun series with varying degrees of critical and commercial success: many were panned by critics and most performed poorly. In 1986, Nielsen played against recent type as a dramatic (and unsympathetic) character in the comedy Soul Man. In 1990, Nielsen also appeared as a Frank Drebin-style character in a series of advertisements in the United Kingdom for Red Rock Cider.Although The Naked Gun series parodied police dramas in general, Nielsen's later parody films focused on specific targets. Critics panned Repossessed (1990) and 2001: A Space Travesty (2001), parodies of The Exorcist and 2001: A Space Odyssey, respectively. Both films attempted the absurdist comedy Nielsen is recognized for, but were poorly received.[50][51] Even a leading role in a Mel Brooks comic horror parody, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, failed to generate much box office excitement, although it did gain somewhat of a following on its later release to video. Both 1996's Spy Hard and 1998's Wrongfully Accused, a parody of James Bond films and The Fugitive, respectively, received more popularity on home video but were not well received by critics.[52][53]
His attempt at children's comedies met with additional criticism. Surf Ninjas (1993) and Mr. Magoo (1997) faced scathing reviews. Several critics were disappointed that Nielsen's role in Surf Ninjas was only "an extended cameo" and film critic Chris Hicks recommended that viewers "...avoid any comedy that features Leslie Nielsen outside of the Naked Gun series."[54][55] Jeff Miller of the Houston Chronicle panned Mr. Magoo, a live action remake of the 1950s cartoon, by saying, "I'm supposed to suggest how the film might be better but I can't think of anything to say other than to make the film again."[56]
Nielsen's first major slapstick success since The Naked Gun came in a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003). His appearance as President Harris proved popular enough for a second appearance in its sequel, Scary Movie 4 (2006). This became the first time Nielsen reprised a character since his appearances as Frank Drebin. In one scene, Nielsen appeared almost fully nude, and one critic referred to the scene as putting "the 'scary' in Scary Movie 4."[57]
Nielsen also hosted a series of instructional golf videos beginning with 1993's Bad Golf Made Easier. The videos were not serious, instead combining absurdist comedy with golf techniques. The series were popular enough to spawn two additional sequels, Bad Golf My Way (1994) and Stupid Little Golf Video (1997). Nielsen also co-wrote a fictional autobiography titled The Naked Truth. The book portrayed Nielsen as a popular actor with a long history of prestigious films.
Final years
Beginning in February 2007, Nielsen began playing a small role as a doctor in the humorous yet educational television show Doctor*Ology. The show chronicles real-life medical techniques and technology, and airs on the Discovery Channel. In an interview, Nielsen admitted his admiration for the doctors on the show: "There are any number of things that you think about when you ponder if you hadn't been an actor, what would you be, and I've always said I'd like to be an astronaut or a doctor. I have such admiration for doctors. I just don't know how you go around to thank them enough for coming up with the world's most remarkable new discoveries."[36]
In 2007, Nielsen starred in the drama Music Within. In 2008, he portrayed a version of Uncle Ben for Superhero Movie, a spoof of superhero films. He then appeared in the 2008 parody film An American Carol, which David Zucker directed, produced, and co-wrote. He appeared in the 2009 parody Stan Helsing. Nielsen portrayed the Doctor in the Spanish horror comedy Spanish Movie,[58] a spoof comedy like Scary Movie, but making fun of popular Spanish films.[59]
Nielsen appeared in over 100 films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying over 220 characters.[60][61]
Personal life
"I'm afraid if I don't keep moving, they're going to catch me ... I
am 81 years old and I want to see what's around the corner, and I don't
see any reason in the world not to keep working. But I am starting to
value my down time a great deal because I am realizing there might be
other things to do that I am overlooking."
—Nielsen reflecting on his career in 2007[36]
Nielsen was a fan of golf, and he often played it in his free time.[64] Nielsen joked about his view on golf, "I have no goals or ambition. I do, however, wish to work enough to maintain whatever celebrity status I have so that they will continue to invite me to golf tournaments."[64] Nielsen's interest in the sport led him to star in several comedic instructional films.
Nielsen stated in several interviews that he had a few medical problems such as hearing impairment.[65] He was legally deaf and wore hearing aids for most of his life.[12] Because of this impairment, he publicly supported the Better Hearing Institute.[66] Later in life, Nielsen also suffered from knee osteoarthritis. He participated in an educational video from The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC), demonstrating the physical examination of a patient with knee osteoarthritis.
Death
Achievements
Among his numerous awards, in 1995 Leslie Nielsen received UCLA's Jack Benny Award for his comedic roles.[42] In 1988, he became the 1,884th personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6541 Hollywood Blvd.[72] In 2001 he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.[73] The following year he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, although he was also a naturalized U.S. citizen.[1] With his American status, he maintained his Canadian heritage: "There's no way you can be a Canadian and think you can lose it ... Canadians are a goodly group. They are very aware of caring and helping."[1] On 19 May 2005, during the centennial gala of his birth province, Saskatchewan, Leslie Nielsen was introduced to HM Queen Elizabeth II.[74]In 1997, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[75]
On 20 February 2002, Nielsen was named an honorary citizen of West Virginia and an "Ambassador of Mountain State Goodwill". Nielsen visited the state many times to speak and visit friends.[76] In 2003, in honor of Nielsen, Grant MacEwan College named its school of communications after him.[77] Also in 2003, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists awarded him the ACTRA Award of Excellence.[77]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | The Battle of Gettysburg | Narrator | |
| 1956 | Ransom! | Charlie Telfer | Film debut, as an actor |
| Forbidden Planet | Commander John J. Adams | First starring role. | |
| The Vagabond King | Thibault | ||
| The Opposite Sex | Steve Hilliard | ||
| 1957 | Hot Summer Night | William Joel Partain | |
| Tammy and the Bachelor | Peter Brent | ||
| 1958 | The Sheepman | Col. Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe | |
| 1964 | See How They Run | Elliot Green | First television movie. |
| Night Train to Paris | Alan Holiday | ||
| 1965 | Dark Intruder | Brett Kingsford | |
| Harlow | Richard Manley | ||
| 1966 | The Plainsman | Col. George Armstrong Custer | |
| Beau Geste | Lieutenant De Ruse | ||
| 1967 | Code Name: Heraclitus | Fryer | |
| The Reluctant Astronaut | Major Fred Gifford | ||
| Gunfight in Abilene | Grant Evers | ||
| Rosie! | Cabot Shaw | ||
| 1968 | How to Steal the World | General Maximilian Harmon | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. film. |
| Counterpoint | Victor Rice | ||
| Dayton's Devils | Frank Dayton | ||
| Companions in Nightmare | Dr. Neesden | ||
| 1969 | Trial Run | Jason Harkness | |
| Deadlock | Lieutenant Sam Danforth | ||
| How to Commit Marriage | Phil Fletcher | ||
| Change of Mind | Sheriff Webb | ||
| 1970 | Night Slaves | Sheriff Henshaw | |
| The Aquarians | Official | ||
| Hauser's Memory | Joseph Slaughter | ||
| 1971 | Incident In San Francisco | Lieutenant Brubaker | |
| Four Rode Out | Mr. Brown | ||
| They Call It Murder | Frank Antrim | ||
| 1972 | The Poseidon Adventure | Captain Harrison | |
| 1973 | ...And Millions Die! | Jack Gallagher | |
| Snatched | Bill Sutting | ||
| Amanda Fallon | Mr. Cummings | ||
| The Return of Charlie Chan | Alexander Hadrachi | ||
| 1975 | Can Ellen Be Saved | Arnold Lindsey | |
| Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience | Narrator | ||
| 1976 | Grand Jury | John Williams | |
| Project Kill | Jonathan Trevor | ||
| Brinks: The Great Robbery | Agent Norman Houston | ||
| 1977 | Sixth and Main | John Doe | |
| Day of the Animals | Paul Jenson | ||
| Viva Knievel! | Stanley Millard | ||
| The Kentucky Fried Movie | Man in Feel-O-Rama Movie | Uncredited cameo; Feel-O-Rama segment. | |
| The Amsterdam Kill | Riley Knight | ||
| 1978 | Little Mo | Nelson Fisher | |
| 1979 | Institute for Revenge | Counselor Hollis Barnes | |
| The Albertans | Don MacIntosh | ||
| Riel | Major Crozier | ||
| City on Fire | Mayor William Dudley | ||
| 1980 | OHMS | Governor | |
| Airplane! | Dr. Rumack | First comedy role. | |
| Prom Night | Mr. Raymond Hammond | ||
| 1981 | A Choice of Two | Unknown | |
| 1982 | Twilight Theater | Various Characters | |
| Foxfire Light | Reece Morgan | ||
| Wrong Is Right | Mallory | ||
| Creepshow | Richard Vickers | Something To Tide You Over segment. | |
| 1983 | Prime Time | Unknown | |
| The Night the Bridge Fell Down | Paul Warren | ||
| Cave-In! | Joseph 'Joe' Johnson | ||
| The Creature Wasn't Nice (Spaceship) | Capt. Jamieson | ||
| 1985 | Murder Among Friends | Unknown | |
| Reckless Disregard | Bob Franklin | ||
| Blade in Hong Kong | Harry Ingersoll | ||
| Striker's Mountain | Jim McKay | ||
| 1986 | The Patriot | Admiral Frazer | |
| Soul Man | Mr. Dunbar | ||
| 1987 | Nightstick | Thad Evans | |
| Nuts | Allen Green | Final non-comedy role. | |
| Home Is Where the Hart Is | Sheriff Nashville Schwartz | ||
| 1988 | Dangerous Curves | Greg Krevske | |
| The Railway Dragon | Narrator | First animated film. | |
| The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! | Lt. Frank Drebin | ||
| 1990 | Repossessed | Father Jebedaiah Mayii | |
| 1991 | All I Want for Christmas | Santa Claus | Family holiday film. |
| The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear | Lt. Frank Drebin | ||
| Chance of a Lifetime | Lloyd Dixon | ||
| 1993 | Digger | Arthur Evrensel | |
| Surf Ninjas | Colonel Chi | ||
| 1994 | S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago | Lucio Cinico | |
| Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult | Lt. Frank Drebin | ||
| 1995 | Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree | Willowby's butler | |
| Rent-a-Kid | Harry Haber | ||
| Dracula: Dead and Loving It | Count Dracula | ||
| 1996 | Spy Hard | Dick Steele, Agent WD-40 | |
| 1997 | Mr. Magoo | Mr. Magoo | |
| 1998 | Safety Patrol | Mr. Penn | |
| Family Plan | Harry Haber | ||
| Harvey | Dr. Chumley | ||
| Wrongfully Accused | Ryan Harrison | ||
| 1999 | Pirates 4-D | Captain Lucky | 4D Cinema Show presented at various Busch Gardens amusement parks. |
| 2000 | Santa Who? | Santa Claus | |
| 2001: A Space Travesty | Marshal Richard 'Dick' Dix | ||
| 2001 | Camouflage | Jack Potter | |
| Kevin of the North (Chilly Dogs) | Clive Thornton | ||
| 2002 | Men with Brooms | Gordon Cutter | |
| 2003 | Scary Movie 3 | President Harris | |
| Noël Noël | English Narrator | ||
| 2006 | Scary Movie 4 | President Harris | |
| 2007 | Music Within | Bill Austin | |
| 2008 | Superhero Movie | Uncle Albert | |
| An American Carol | Grampa / Osama Bin Laden | ||
| Slap Shot 3: The Junior League | Mayor of Charlestown | ||
| 2009 | Spanish Movie | Doctor | |
| Stan Helsing | Kay | ||
| 2011 | Stonerville | Producer | |
| Unknown | The Waterman Movie | Ready Espanosa | Voice acting[78] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Jukebox Jury | Himself | |
| 1958–1961 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Lloyd Ashley & DA Rudolph Cox | Two episodes |
| 1959 | The Swamp Fox | Colonel Francis Marion | |
| 1960 | Thriller | Alan Patterson (lead role) | Episode "The Twisted Image" |
| 1960, 1964 | Wagon Train | Jeremy Dow, Brian Conlin | Two episodes |
| 1960 | The Untouchables | Tom Sebring | Episode "Three Thousand Suspects" |
| 1960 | Route 66 (TV series) | ||
| 1961 | The Islanders | Howard Cavanaugh | Episode "Willy's Millionaire" |
| 1961 | The New Breed | Lt. Price Adams | Regular |
| 1963 | Channing | Professor Paul Stafford | Single episode |
| 1963-1965 | Kraft Suspense Theatre | Dr. David Cord & Paul Maytric | Two episodes: "One Step Down" & "The Green Felt Jungle" |
| 1963–1964 | The Fugitive (TV series) | Martin C. Rowland & Harold Cheyney | Two episodes |
| 1964 | Your First Impression | As himself | Single episode |
| 1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Steven Grainger | Single episode |
| 1964–1969 | The Virginian | Ben Stratton | Five episodes |
| 1965 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | Capt. Wayne Adams | One episode "The Creature" |
| 1965 | Peyton Place | Vincent and Kenneth Marham (twins) | 19 episodes |
| 1967 | Bonanza | Sheriff Paul Rowan | One episode |
| 1968 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | General Maximillian Harmon | Single episode "The Seven Wonders of the World Affair Pt 1 & 2" |
| 1969 | The Bold Ones: The Protectors | Deputy Police Chief Sam Danforth | Seven episodes |
| 1969 | The Big Valley | Sgt. Maj. Earl Conway | One episode "Town of no Exit" |
| 1969–1974 | Hawaii Five-O | Brent & Colonel Faraday | Two episodes |
| 1971 | Columbo: Lady in Waiting | Peter Hamilton | Two Columbo episodes total |
| 1971 | Bearcats! | Col. Ted Donovan | Single episode |
| 1971 | Night Gallery | The Phantom, Col. Dennis Malloy | Two episodes: "Phantom of What Opera?" and "A Question of Fear" |
| 1973 | M*A*S*H | Col. Buzz Brighton | Episode "The Ringbanger" |
| 1973–1974 | The Streets of San Francisco | Ofc. Joe Landers, Insp. John T. Connor, & Big Jake Wilson | Three episodes |
| 1974 | Cannon | Eric Strauss | Single episode |
| 1974 | Kojak | Michael Hagar | Single episode "Loser Takes All" |
| 1975 | Kung Fu | Vincent Corbino | Four episodes |
| 1975 | Columbo: Identity Crisis | Geronomo | Two Columbo episodes total |
| 1975–1976 | S.W.A.T. | Larry Neal/Vince Richie | Three episodes |
| 1979 | Backstairs at the White House | Ike Hoover | Three episodes |
| 1980 | The Littlest Hobo | Mayor Chester Montgomery | Episode "Romiet and Julio" |
| 1982 | Police Squad! | Det. Frank Drebin | Nominated for an Emmy Award |
| 1984 | Shaping Up | Buddy Fox | |
| 1985–1986 | Murder, She Wrote | Captain Daniels & David Everett | Two episodes |
| 1987 | Highway to Heaven | Richard R. Benson | |
| 1988 | Who's the Boss? | Max | |
| 1988 | Day By Day | Jack Harper | One episode, nominated for an Emmy Award |
| 1989 | Saturday Night Live | Himself | Single episode |
| 1992 | The Golden Girls | Lucas Hollingsworth | Series finale |
| 1993 | Herman's Head | God | Single episode |
| 1994–1999 | Due South | Sgt. Buck Frobisher | Four episodes |
| 1994–1996, 2001–2002 | Katie and Orbie | Narrator | |
| 1995 | Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree | Mr. Willowby's Butler, Baxter | Television Christmas special |
| 2000 | Santa Who? | Santa Claus | Television film |
| 2001 | Liocracy | Terrence Brynne McKennie | |
| 2003 | Chilly Beach | Santa Claus | Single episode |
| 2004 | Zeroman | Les Mutton / Zeroman | |
| 2007 | Doctor*Ology | Himself, Host | |
| Lipshitz Saves the World | Lipshitz's mentor | Pilot | |
| Robson Arms | Cado Vasco |
Video
- 1993: Bad Golf Made Easier
- 1994: Bad Golf My Way
- 1997: Stupid Little Golf Video
- 1997: National Geographic Video: The Savage Garden
- Nielsen also appeared in a promotional video for Layman Allen's mathematics game called "Equations" and in the Seaworld San Antonio Summer Nights 4-D show "Pirates 4-D".
Writing
- 1993: The Naked Truth
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