Leslie Nielsen, who began his career as a radio disc jockey and became one of television's most prolific actors, has become the 1,884th personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Nielsen, 66, starring in the current movie "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad," said the honor reflected the love he has for his craft."I feel proud and honored and maybe something simpler, because I love my profession, not just the actors and actresses but everyone involved with the making of motion pictures," he said.
The silver-haired actor was praised by the trio who produced and wrote "Naked Gun," Jerry and David Zucker and Jim Abrahams.
"This is an incredible honor for you and we're so proud," said Jerry Zucker shortly before Nielsen's star was unveiled in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard.
"It could not have happened to a nicer goof-ball," Abrahams said.
Nielsen returned the tribute, saying that his part in the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker film "Airplane!" boosted his career. "That was the greatest roll of the dice for me," he said.
The son of a Royal Canadian mounted policeman, Nielsen began his career in the 1950s with a "Studio One" appearance with Charlton Heston. He appeared in 46 live programs in one year and was brought to Hollywood by Paramount Pictures to star in "The Vagabond King" in 1954.
Throughout the 1960s and '70s, Nielsen was seen regularly in action series, including "Wagon Train," "The Fugitive," "The Virginian" and "Cannon."