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Actor Leslie Nielsen has died at the age of 84.

The Canadian-born actor started his career in serious roles, but in later years he was best known for his comic roles in the The Naked Gun and Airplane! film franchises.

People have been emailing and tweeting their memories and favourite lines from Leslie Nielsen films and television series.

When I was younger my cousins and I were on a huge Leslie Nielson kick. We'd watch all his movies for days straight over the summer and to us nothing was funnier. Spy Hard, Wrongfully Accused, and the Naked Gun series were just some of the films we watched and with the advent of the internet we were able to look up the Easter eggs hidden in his films. Just this weekend we re-watched Airplane!. Seeing him go hurts because of how close his films brought out families together. Josh Cohen, Columbia, South Carolina, US

My father, the British author and actor Stanley Morgan, starred alongside Leslie in the film Night Train to Paris. My father tells me he was a pleasure to work with and a real professional. Robert Morgan, Cape Town, South Africa

I remember the first time I met Leslie. It was in a Costco Store and I was with an actor that he had worked with. He was cracking jokes, and was very warm and friendly. I liked him instantly. Lou, Arizona, US

When I was younger, my favourite film was Wrongfully Accused. Not his best film I know, but I loved that film as a kid, I worshipped my VHS copy. As I grew older, I watched Airplane!, Spy Hard, the Naked Gun trilogy, and I truly began to appreciate Leslie as a comic genius. Since then, I've seen his earlier serious stuff, and I know now he's more than a comic genius, he's genuine acting genius. A true legend of the industry, it is sad to see him go. There will never be another actor who will deliver the same amount of "deadpannery" to such ludicrous roles. Jamie, London, UK

Nielsen was a comedy landmark. He turned seemingly simple jokes and movements into belly laughter moments. His facial expressions and reactions were the joke - a classic. He will be missed. In the words of Lt. Frank Drebin: "Looks like the cows have come home to roost". Mason Willis, Adelaide, Australia

I'll always remember him too in Airplane! and that all-familiar line: "Don't call me Shirley". He will be greatly missed. Terri, Umatilla County, Oregon, US

I loved Leslie Nielson. My favourite movie he did was Wrongfully Accused. Godfrey Phiri, Kitwe, Zambia

Well, Airplane! obviously springs to mind immediately when I think of Leslie Nielsen, but a personal favourite would have to be Forbidden Planet - a great film. Regardless, it's a sad loss, he'll be missed. Ian Clark, Tauranga, New Zealand

luc7m tweets: "Surely you must be joking?" "I'm not joking and don't call me Shirley."

Einspain tweets: "We have to get these people to a hospital." "What is it?" "It's a big building with patients but that's not important."

prawnsley tweets: "That's the red light district! I wonder why he's hiding there!" "Sex Frank?" "Err, not right now Ed, we've got work to do"

mattborman tweets: "That's not important right now."

Andrewrjones tweets: "Surely you can't be serious?" "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." From Airplane.

ChrisMcCluskey tweets: First time I saw theatre was Leslie Nielsen in his one-man stage performance of Darrow. Range of acting talent and ability rarely matched.

SpookCentral tweets: I was working on writing a screenplay with Leslie Nielsen in mind as one of the lead characters, I'm too late. RIP Leslie Nielsen, and thanks.

chris_vannoy tweets: I met Leslie Nielsen once when I was a kid. He autographed my nerd conference badge and program. I feel the need to dig into the attic now.

sarrenitynow tweets: I was lucky enough to make Leslie Nielsen's acquaintance in 2008 in the dining room at my country club, thanks to my grandma.

Pourmecoffee tweets: Awful year for lovers of Airplane! Lost Peter Graves, Barbara Billingsley and now Leslie Nielsen all in 2010.

Edgarwright tweets: Rest in peace Leslie Nielsen. I cannot begin to list the times you have made me laugh out loud. Forever a fan of Airplane! and Police Squad!

JamesUrbaniak tweets: Leslie Nielsen always seemed to genuinely delight in his late-career switch to self-parody. Good for him, good for us.

Nictos tweets: I remember Leslie Nielsen as the suited heavy in countless 70s TV dramas; that made his switch to comedy all the more impact

ScottIseman tweets: Arguably, Leslie Nielsen's best role was in Airplane! but others will say Naked Gun. Was also in The Poseidon Adventure, and Creepshow.

DominicPeppiatt tweets: "Surely you can't be serious!" "I'm always serious... and don't call me Shirley!" RIP Leslie Nielsen - I always say that quote on board planes.

Copyblogger tweets: "A hospital? What is it?" "It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now." R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen

DScottFritchen tweets: "Doing nothing is very hard to do... you never know when you're finished." Leslie Nielsen

Elle_Aye tweets: Rest in peace Leslie Nielsen, a legend from my home city Regina, Saskatchewan.