Leslie Nielsen

Airplane!'s David Zucker Remembers Leslie Nielson

Since actor Leslie Nielsen passed away on Sunday from complications from pneumonia, there has been an outpouring of messages on Twitter and Facebook from actors and directors that knew or were inspired by Nielsen. Most fitting was the tribute written by David Zucker, who, along with brother Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, co-wrote and co-directed Airplane!, the movie that took Nielsen from being a serious actor and turned him into a go-to comedic one. Zucker said that the trio of directors remembered the actor from his role in 1972's The Poseidon Adventure, where his dramatic work as the captain seemingly made him perfect for the role of Dr. Rumack.

We assured him we wouldn't count this brief comedy experience against him. But when he read the Airplane! script, he "got" its unconventional nature and offbeat style. We heard later that he told his agent, "Take whatever they offer; I'd pay them to do this."

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.

• Airplane!
• David Zucker
• Leslie Nielsen