Fans Mourn the Death of Comedic Legend Leslie Nielsen

One of the true greats of the comedy, actor Leslie Nielsen, passed away yesterday.

Known for such comedic gems as Airplane! and the Naked Gun series, Nielsen was enjoyed by many. And if there was any question over his international fame, that may have been answered by the cover of this Chilean newspaper this morning, as it dedicated the entire front page to Nielsen.

Reports are that the actor died in a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, surrounded by family and friends. He was 84 years old. The reported reason for death is complications from pneumonia; the inflammatory condition of the lung is a leading cause of death in all age groups. Prognosis usually depends on the type of pneumonia, what treatment is administered, and the patient’s underlying health.

Regardless of the specifics behind Nielsen’s death, it’s clear from the outpouring of support and recounted memories from across the Web that the actor will be missed.

The Nielsen family is requesting that, instead of flowers and cards, that supporters contribute donations in Nielsen’s name to the charities of their choice.

Around the Web:

Actor Leslie Nielsen dies of complications from pneumonia [CNN]

Leslie Nielsen as you've probably never seen him before [The Boston Globe]

Entertainment World Pays Tribute to Leslie Nielsen [National Post]

Leslie Nielsen: The Best Movie Lines[Extra TV]

Leslie Nielsen: Surely, the greatest umpire ever [Washington Post]