David Zucker Writes a Tribute to Leslie Nielsen

David Zucker, one of the creative team behind the original “Airplane” and “The Naked Gun” trilogy, has a tribute in today’s Hollywood Reporter to actor Leslie Nielsen.

Arguably the best role was that of Dr. Rumack, played by the guy no one wanted or ever suspected would be funny, much less go on to have a second career starring in feature films as a goofball comic. Leslie was great in the role because he never “winked” — let on that he knew he was in a comedy. This was essential to the style, and Leslie had a natural instinct for it.

In all the movies we did together, we hardly had to shower him with any verbal praise. He always knew he was doing OK because “I could hear David laughing during the take,” he would say. And I was! Tough to just sit there silently during “Nice beaver!”

Offscreen, he wasn’t so much of a joke or storyteller but a chronic prankster. The stories are legion about the fart machine, which he kept hidden and sprang on any hapless stranger who approached him. He used it on set, on talk shows, anywhere he could find a victim. One time, at a press junket in Charlotte, I remember watching Leslie let loose with the device on a crowded elevator, the other occupants squirming up against the walls in an effort to distance themselves. And just like the scenes we put him in, he never broke character, never let on that he knew he was being funny.

You can read the entire tribute to Nielsen HERE.