Canadian of the Week » Saskatchewan

Leslie Nielsen Dies at 84

Victor — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:02:44 +0000

Beloved Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen has died at 84 from complications due to pneumonia, according to various news reports.

Nielsen, who was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, but was raised in the Northwest Territories, might be best known for his spoof comedies that started with “Airplane” in 1980 and continued with “The Naked Gun” series as well as other oddball comedies. These earned him the nickname “the Olivier of Spoof,” as Roger Ebert once pegged him.

Nielsen’s signature timing and double entendres were unforgettable and he’ll be sorely missed. According to Wikipedia, work had begun on a fourth installment of “The Naked Gun,” which was supposed to be released in 2012. Nielsen told the BBC in May that he’s “heard about” plans for the fourth film in the franchise but that he was “not involved in it.”

Nielsen began acting in the 1950s and has more dramatic roles in “Forbidden Planet” and “The Poseidon Adventure” before turning to comedy.

He remained active until very recently, performing on stage and voicing animated characters.

“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,” Nielsen told the Vancouver Sun in 2007 (according to Wikipedia). “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.”

Here are a couple of our favorite Nielsen moments:

TV Icon Art Linkletter Dies

Victor — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:08:42 +0000

Another American icon who was actually born in Canada passed this week when the legendary Art Linkletter died at 97.

No caused of death was released, according CBC.ca, but Linkletter did suffer a stroke in 2008. The former host of “House Party” and “People Are Funny” became known for his trademark segments that became known as “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” Check one out below:

Linkletter was born July 17, 1912, in Moose Jaw, Sask., to an unwed mother who put him up for adoption. At the age of 7 he moved to San Diego, Calif., with his adoptive family and his broadcast career began when he got a part-time radio job while attending San Diego State University.

Check out the CBC’s complete obituary here.

Streaker Decks City Hall

Victor — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:13:25 +0000

Stop me if you’re heard this one before: A naked guy walks into the mayor’s office.

That’s all.

A 34-year-old man was arrested in Regina today after he raced into City Hall stark naked and got into an elevator. He rode up to the 15th floor, where the mayor’s office is, where he was taken into custody, according to a report in the Calgary Herald.

A spokesman for the mayor’s office said they’ve “dealt with” the man before.