Naked Gun star Leslie Nielsen dies at 84

Naked Gun trilogy and Airplane star Leslie Nielsen passed away today at the age of 84, leaving a behind a legacy of spoof comedy classics.

The Canadian-born actor, who shot to fame in the 1980 hit Airplane had been suffering from pneumonia for the past 12 days at a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nielsen was married four times and is left behind by two children from his second marraige.

Nielsen began his acting career in the 1950s, where his striking good looks led to him being typecast as a ladies man in roles such as Forbidden Planet and The Opposite Sex, yet Nielsen's iconic role as Dr Rumack in Airplane led to his arrival as a fully-fledged comedian.

Nielsen followed up his newfound success with starring roles in the TV show Police Squad, the hugely sucessfull Naked Gun trilogy and later appearences in the Scary Movie franchise.

Nielsen's passing away has already led to many Twitter tributes from fellow comedians, such as Russel Brand's 'RIP. Leslie Nielsen. Shirley, he will be missed', a take-off of the actor's most famous Airplane quote.