Leslie Nielsen dies aged 84

Leslie Nielsen, who went from drama to inspired bumbling as a hapless doctor in Airplane! and the accident-prone detective Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun comedies, has died. He was 84.

Nielsen, the dramatic lead in Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure, died on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Canadian died from complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, surrounded by his wife, Barbaree, and friends.

In a statement, his agent said: "We are saddened by the passing of beloved actor Leslie Nielsen, probably best remembered as Lt Frank Drebin in 'The Naked Gun' series of pictures, but who enjoyed a more than 60-year career in motion pictures and television," said Kelly.

Comic actor Russell Brand took to Twitter to pay tribute to Nielsen, playing off his famous line: "RIP Leslie Nielsen. Shirley, he will be missed."

Nielsen was born February 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Nielsen and his second wife had two daughters, Thea and Maura.