Dead at 84, according to news reports today. I saw people on Facebook quoting from Airplane before I'd heard the news.
It seems fitting to remember him here, as an actor and comic. His deadpan responses in the Police Squad series were priceless:
- "Why was he in the red light distrinct?"
"Sex, Frank?"
"Um--no thanks, George, maybe later."
or
- "Is this some kind of a bust?"
"Yes, it's very impressive, but I'm just here to ask you a few questions."
So surely this thread is a good place for anyone to post memories of their favorite moments in his work--
- "And don't call me Shirley."
I remember hearing him hosting At the Improv, saying that some woman saw him and said, "Oh, I know who you are, don't tell me, I know--you're Lloyd Bridges."
"No, I'm not, but you're right, I am a famous actor. I'm Leslie Nielsen."
"Oh, right--but you play Lloyd Bridges."
Interesting, he, Lloyd Bridges, and Peter Graves each made a joke about being mistaken for one of the others. His was, I think, the best.
--M. J. Young