It is hard to think of an abundance of things that would unite Ryan Seacrest, Roger Ebert, Brooke Burke, Josh Groban, Kevin Pollak, Marlee Maitlin, Nia Vardalos, and Slash. But it’s hard to think of many people with quite the universal appeal of Leslie Nielsen, whose passing today at the age of 84 has moved all of the aforementioned to pay their respects via Twitter.
Predictably, many of those who marked the Naked Gun star’s death are comedians—including Russell Brand, David Wain and Patton Oswalt—and many tipped a hat to the late Nielsen’s instruction from Airplane! not to call him a certain woman’s name (“Shirley, this breaks my heart,” wrote Groban).
Maitlin, an acquaintance of Nielsen, described him as “a lovely, funny, talented man,” while legendary film critic Roger Ebert referred his followers to a quartet of Nielsen-featuring clips, including the actor’s ultimately unsuccessful screen test for Ben-Hur.
UPDATE: Leslie Nielsen tributes on Twitter from Rainn Wilson, Snoop Dogg, and more (Nov. 29)
More on Leslie Nielsen from EW:
‘Airplane’ star Leslie Nielsen dies at 84
‘Don’t call me Shirley’: Remember Leslie Nielsen with these classic clips
He’s gona be missd by the world,he had such great personality that brought people closer to him..it’s a very big blow.
I wish Paul Gross had a Twitter. He made Canadian movies and Due South episodes with Nielsen.
Such a sad day. I was named after him. Shirley, he will live on through his unforgettable roles in film.
I don’t understand the obsession with Leslie. She isn’t even that funny! I downloaded “Top Gun” to see what people are talking about, and it wasn’t even funny! What are you all talking about???
She?
Top Gun? Shirley, you’re not serious! lol
Fool.
Leslie, is a HE NOT a SHE! You are probably much too young to remember this great and funny actor. I would venture to guess that the only thing funny to you are young people getting high and doing crazy things. At least Leslie died from pneumonia….the acid heads die from overdoses and aren’t even missed.
Ignore the troll. It’s trying to do this on every Leslie Nielsen board thinking it’s trying to be funny. FAIL.
Leslie Nielsen was a man?
Oh, that’s different.
Never mind.
Trolling boards isn’t funny when the person has just DIED.
Uh?
Um , Sara , do you realize this is a obituary post paying tribute to a man , who for the past three decades made us laugh and before that , was a dramatic actor for the first two to three decades of his movie / TV career ?
a great loss. i will always remember him in the movie tammy with debbie reynolds. my condolences to his family ,he will be sadly missed.
Lesile Nielsen what a goof ball you are.
I like you in The Naked Gun,Mr.Magoo,All I want for christmas and Dracula Dead and loving it.
You lived a good life you’ll surely be missed.
Heidi
Wow, this guy has made us all laugh until our side would hurt…, he has given much to remember him by. Thank Lesile…, you surely lived up to your name…Lesssilly.
In 1957, I took a job on the switchboard at the Hudson’s Bay Co. in Calgary Alberta Canada. My Supervisor was Leslie Nielson’s Mom. She told me about her life with his Dad when they lived in Northern Canada and the dreams she had for her sons when she was pregnant with them. She likely told me about that part of her life because I was expecting my first child at the time. She was so proud of how accomplished her sons were. She had a different last name than Leslie because she had remarried. She had gone to Hollywood and Leslie had shown her around Sound sets and other interesting places. She showed me a photo of a lady Leslie was married to at the time. The lady was very pretty and had long dark hair. I only worked a few months before I left to have my baby and I heard later that his Mom had passed away. I often thought I would have liked to write to him and tell him of the time I spent with him Mom but never did. I am sad to learn of his passing but I know his Mom is happy to have him with her again. He did what many would like to have the talent to do. Make others forget their troubles with a good laugh. May he rest in peace.
Men With Brooms. ’nuff said.
“You want an easy ride? Go play a bonspiel for the gutless. You want the Golden Broom, then find your spine.”
Normally, I can’t stand Twitter eulogies, but I checked out the ones referenced above and have to say that there is a big difference between most of these (which are classily written in normal language) and the ones written by clowns who use Twitter-speak.
Am I the only one that sees a difference? I hope the Twitterazzi of the world pay attention to how to give a proper Twitter eulogy.
“proper Twitter eulogy”? Sigh. I hate the 21st century.
i agree, but this: “Sad to hear about Leslie Nielsen passing. To this day “Airplane” is still one of my favorite comedies ever.” is way better than “U were gr8, gonna miss u 4ever.” or whatever crap people usually say.
Loved his work in Airplane and Naked Gun, but I am still trying to get a laugh out of his performance in Forbidden Planet… someday!
I need to get Naked Gun to watch tonight as a fitting tribute. What a funny guy. Surely, he will be missed. (And no, that joke is not getting old.)
You want a laugh from ‘Forbidden Planet’ – check out Mr Neilsons legs – you could drive a pig between them (his words, not mine)
I fell in love when I saw him in the first Tammy movie years ago..he did so many wonderful things through the years – it’s a sad day for those of us who will miss him.
So sad…he was a funny and classy guy! Leslie will be missed.