Yes, Leslie Nielsen Still Had His Chops as a Dramatic Actor

[Webster]

....people forget Nielsen made his original fame as a dramatic actor.....

 

[Gizmo]

Leslie was an amazing actor

 

[Nebulous]

How does he "still have his chops as a dramatic actor" when he's been dead for 13 years?

 

[Webster]

How does he "still have his chops as a dramatic actor" when he's been dead for 13 years?

Its' rhetorical, Nebby; point I was making was that, as well known as Leslie Nielsen was for his comedic roles, he began his acting career in dramatic roles.
For instance, his role in Creepshow there was well into his time as a more-well-known comedic actor.

 

[Nebulous]

Its' rhetorical, Nebby; point I was making was that, as well known as Leslie Nielsen was for his comedic roles, he began his acting career in dramatic roles.
For instance, his role in Creepshow there was well into his time as a more-well-known comedic actor.

I've been seeing lots of comedians in dramatic roles lately. Its good that people can do more than just one thing.

 

[Webster]

I've been seeing lots of comedians in dramatic roles lately. Its good that people can do more than just one thing.

Leslie Nielsen Syndrome - TV Tropes

The casting opposite of Tom Hanks Syndrome. With this trope, a successful actor with a history of dramatic roles plays against type and stars in a comedy, playing it for laughs and generally acting silly. And it works. Unlike Tom Hanks Syndrome, …

tvtropes.org

The casting opposite of Tom Hanks Syndrome. With this trope, a successful actor with a history of dramatic roles plays against type and stars in a comedy, playing it for laughs and generally acting silly. And it works. Unlike Tom Hanks Syndrome, the change will rarely be permanent: the actor will still dip into serious roles, and may even bounce back and forth from comedy to drama like a rubber ball. But sometimes, the actor finds a new niche (and a new career) as a comedic performer.

Named after actor Leslie Nielsen, who, after a long career in the fifties, sixties, and seventies as a dramatic lead, turned to comedy in the 80s and thereby rejuvenated his career to the point that, these days, more people know him for his work in Airplane! and Police Squad! than they do for any of his prior dramatic or romantic roles.

 

[Nebulous]

Leslie Nielsen Syndrome - TV Tropes

The casting opposite of Tom Hanks Syndrome. With this trope, a successful actor with a history of dramatic roles plays against type and stars in a comedy, playing it for laughs and generally acting silly. And it works. Unlike Tom Hanks Syndrome, …

tvtropes.org

Theres a name for it even!