The Naked Truth

by Leslie Nielsen, David Fisher

The popular actor and star of "Airplane" and "The Naked Gun" offers an account of his life and career, providing anecdotes about his four decades in show business

Genres: Humor, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Audiobook, Celebrity

Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

About the author

Leslie William Nielsen, OC, was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 characters. Nielsen enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and worked as a disc jockey before receiving a scholarship to Neighborhood Playhouse. Making his television debut in 1948, he quickly expanded to over 50 television appearances two years later. Nielsen made his film debut in 1956, and began collecting roles in dramas, westerns, and romance films. Nielsen's performances in the films Forbidden Planet (1956) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972) received positive reviews as a serious actor, though he is primarily known for his comedic roles.

Although Nielsen's acting career crossed a variety of genres in both television and films, his deadpan delivery in Airplane! (1980) marked a turning point in his career, one that would make him, in the words of film critic Roger Ebert, "the Olivier of spoofs." Nielsen enjoyed further success with The Naked Gun film series (1988 – 1994), based on a short-lived television series Police Squad! in which he starred earlier. His portrayal of serious characters seemingly oblivious to (and complicit in) their absurd surroundings gave him a reputation as a comedian. In the final years of his career, Nielsen appeared in multiple spoof and parody films, many of which were met poorly by critics, but performed well in box office and home media releases. Nielsen married four times and had two daughters from his second marriage. He was recognized with a variety of awards throughout his career, and was inducted into the Canada and Hollywood Walks of Fame.

Reviews

[Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first encountered this book as I was fighting my way through a band of rebels intent on destroying the cure for polio, bearing nothing but a wooden spoon in my left hand and a stunningly beautiful fashion model in my right. As I struck down yet another masked rebel, the words began to drip from the page into my brain

Being selected as the recipient of [the Nobel Prize for Good Acting:] award was perhaps the greatest thrill of my life... Tears welled in my eyes as I stood on the podium and addressed the distinguised audience. "This is indeed a great honor you have bestowed upon me," I told them, "and it is very difficult for me to express how truly grateful I am. One of the primary reasons for the ascendancy of mankind over the world of animals is that animals have tales, and if you have a tail, you can't hide your emotions. So mankind always knew what animals were feeling. And if we didn't like it... But I tell you this tonight, and I mean it from the very bottom of my heart, if I had a tail, right now I'd be wagging it in your face."

And again

To my great surprise, sex had a lot in common with something else I'd recently discovered- Chinese food. When you finished each one, you were content, but fifteen minutes later you were ready to start all over again. Suddenly I understood why China had the largest population in the world.

I realized as I fought a lion and a giant python with my bare hands, that nothing I could ever do would be nearly as awesome as the life of Leslie Nielsen. While the nuclear robots closed in a dangerous circle around me, my eyes teared up as I further realized that I could not finish the book, it was simply too intense.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually listened to the audiobook of this, which is performed by Nielsen but also abridged. I didn't realize until half way through that this was a completely fictional story. I was looking things up in wikipedia and being like, wait a minute, so I looked up the book itself and saw that it was all made up. Quite a funny story.

[Jonathan Pincek · Rating 1 out of 5]

I grew up with and loved this man. However, this whole book is one long joke that doesn’t allow the reader to determine fact from humor. Confusing and not entertaining.

[Hannah Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think any other celebrity death has affected me as much as Nielsen's did. He was a childhood staple for me and my brothers, with Airplane!, Naked Gun and Dracula: Dead & Loving It amongst some of our most-watched films.

His autobiography, although totally made up is an interesting read. His iconic sense of humour shone through on every page and in every anecdote; he showed very well the ridiculousness of fame and Hollywood.

I couldn't help laughing at the many negative reviews both on Goodreads and Amazon from people who didn't realise none of this book is true; it literally states as much on the front cover!

While it is a funny and enjoyable read, I would love to one day read an actual biography as I'm sure Nielsen led a very interesting life. But at the same time, I love that he didn't take himself or his work too seriously.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie Nielsen's 'The Naked Truth' is anything but the truth, as it is a completely made-up autobiography. Hilarious read that had me snort-laughing every few pages, and I could hear his voice when reading this. Love how he throws one curveball after another, blurring the line between facts and fiction, and takes the piss out of the film industry - all written in such a deadpan manner.

Part of me wishes it was an actual biography, with real anecdotes, but this is so on brand for Leslie. Stupid, silly, and fun.

Additionally, this is a signed copy I own, which makes it one of my most cherished items.

I miss him.

Love you, Leslie.

[maxwell j bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

The great Leslie Nielsen! I was able to find an audio book narrated by the man himself which was a worthwhile listen for any fan of the Naked Gun series or fan in general of Mr. Nielsen. I’ve never considered humor or in this case a parody book but it did not disappoint, it is everything you would hope for as a fan.

[JJ Lehmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty stupid, but funny. Pretty much like his movies.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of Nielsen has its moments- more fiction than fact? Some of the humor is pretty clever. At times, hard to separate reality from "fantasy."

[Jeff Ferry · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Leslie Nielson this will humorously pass an hour or so. For big fans only.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran across this one back during my library page days. I was reshelving biographies and pretty much got sucked into this one (never mind that it's completely made up - it's getting shelved as a biography, said the powers that be!) I need to see if I can track down a copy to add to my own collection.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never smiled or laughed so much from a book before in fact because the dialogue was at you non stop with typical Nielsen comedy i mentally became tired quite quickly but if you read the book in short spurts you will be rewarded in spades providing this sort of humour tickles your fancy.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was funny in parts, the slapstick was fantastic, but I just could not enjoy it, as I was never sure what was a lie (most of it I suspect) and was being honest.
I wanted the real autobiography, but this wasneer going to be it, as long as Leslie was going to be involved I suppose.

[Chris Feeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written like the naked gun movie. Very funny lines. Only downside is I am not old enough to get the old time Hollywood references

[Zachary Duval · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished The Naked Truth after a couple weeks break from it as I got interested in reading other books which can now be better achieved. I do feel like having an unabridged version of the audiobook I briefly listened to is a better way to experience this funniography along with enjoying the unique delivery of this book's subject and author. However, other than that it is a decent telling of an actor's life that basically reads like Leslie Nielsen is Forrest Gump and just responsible for all important cinematic moments, but in a way that is never annoying despite there still being obvious jokes. In other words, it is a miles better version of the Ron Burgundy biography I read before because of how the comedic nature of Nielsen's story never gets bogged down by long tangents that go nowhere with their comedy or realism. It was rather in the small sentences that I was entertained as Nielsen's literal misinterpretation of what people say is always funny to see along with the witty comebacks and stories he tells to support them.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite funny - no surprise given it’s Nielsen. Sometimes there were one-liners on top of each other. Ostensively it’s his biography. My frustration came from not being able to tell what, if anything, I was reading was historically accurate. E.G. He claimed to be the first James Bond. He says he won the Oscar for Best Lead Actor for his role in "Airplane!" He claimed he played opposite Peter O’Toole in "Lawrence of Arabia." He talks about his four wives but the names he uses in the book do not match the women he actually did marry. If you are into theater and/or film there is a set of inside jokes that you will get that others may not… like the “lazy fair” director he once had to work with. [It should be "laissez-faire."] ANYWAY, it was good for lots of laughs.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the Fall of 1994 and I was walking through the Ball State bookstores buying my textbooks. As I was shopping, I went looking through the normal books and I saw a book by Leslie Nielsen, The Naked Truth. I flipped through it and I remember him talking about knowing Ronald Reagan and advising him to go into politics. It made me laugh but I didn’t have the funds to get it. Fast forward to 2025 and thanks to Thriftbooks, I finally got a copy and it was as hilarious as the bit I remembered. It is Leslie Neilsen’s autobiography but lets just say he play fast and loose with the facts…sort of like a rocket ship that explodes! It is hilarious and all I could want for it. A great distraction for the times and my ninth book of the year #reading #biographies #leslienielsen #thenakedtruth

[Jake Kilroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloriously absurd with a dozen blasts of nonsense for every shred of truth, this thing is a hoot. It's just Nielsen's deadpan comedy dressed up as a very untrue "memoir" and it works supremely and sublimely. It's a perfect blend of gags, bits, and throwaways—delivered with gusto, charm, and swagger. I had the time of Nielsen's life.

[Daniel Totov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seeing a joke in all of his life's moments the reality crafted in this book is more than just real. It shows how you can craft a super story exceeding what is happening and the taste of Leslie Nielsen's story is the same as his acting - serious in the face of absurdity.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty dopey book, but if you like that there are worse ways to spend a few hours. One of the way pavers for the superior fake memoir Based on a True Story by Norm MacDonald.

[Bryce Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good. It's funny...but is any of it true?

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book 25+ years ago so I can’t say for sure if it’s good or not. However, I remember liking it so 3 stars seems appropriate. None of the book is true.

[Tài]

Has more body count than Christopher Lee

[Domi slaaay #1 Swiftie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talent is like potatoes. It doesn‘t grow on trees.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes a joke goes on for too long

[Riku Iso-Markku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened the audio book which is narrated by Leslie Nielsen himself. Good stuff!

[Matthew Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Occasionally funny. Compared to many other books written by funny people, this one is likely not worth your time.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, why wouldn't I expect something completely different than what I thought I would get from Leslie Nielsen? I picked this up at a USB and thought I was getting a book about the life of the interesting actor/comedian. As I dove into the text, I soon found that Mr. Nielsen's autobiographical sketch was more comedy sketch than accurate and in depth look of his life's journeys. So, after looking at the cover again and realizing that Nielsen "got me", I accepted that I was dealing with the literary form of "bait-and-switch" and settled into to a hilarious book about Nielsen "life" in movies and TV.

The book is a quick read, and while the outer shell of it is true, like an M&M, it's what's inside the shell that makes it so much fun. Nielsen starts the reader's journey from his early days in Canada, leads us through his movies from the 50's and 60's, exposes us to his involvement in the Golden Age of TV, and ends with the tomfoolery of the Naked Gun series.

I found myself laughing out loud at times and often checking the facts at IMBd to see if what Nielsen wrote was accurate at all. (Spoiler alert: most of it wasn't). Readers will get a chance to meet Nielsen's four wives, learn of his many affairs with Hollywood starlets, get an inside look of his time as a member of Sinatra's Rat Pack, and experience his thrill of winning the Oscar for Best Actor (over DeNiro, Hoffman, et al) no less.

The slapstick humor is non stop. It gets a little tedious at time because the jokes are overused at times, but the book is never boring. Those who loved Nielsen's characters in Airplane, the Naked Gun series, and Police Squad will really enjoy his made-up autobiography!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm about half-way through this $1 Goodwill find, and I have to say, its exactly as you would expect. An absolutely implausible autobiography provides a logical structure for Nielsen to set up numerous lip-twitching jokes. I may never recommend this as anything more than a bathroom reader, there is something enormously refreshing in Nielsen's straightforward efforts at friendly humor. Some of these jokes are easily as old as civilization, and while some show their age, others are remarkably fresh and well-disguised.

Ultimately, his wordplay is relentless and impressive. The writing is probably at a middle school level, but it is certainly a pleasant crossover for fans of his movie roles.

[Bryon Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was exactly what i wanted out of an autobiography by leslie nielsen.

[Twan]

Started reading this after picking a copy up on ebay but the book smelled so badly of cigs and shit that I only got about 2 pages in