Leslie Nielsen looked like he should be the Secretary of State. He had that silver hair, the authoritative baritone voice, and a face that seemed carved out of Mount Rushmore. But if you were standing in an elevator with him in 1988, you were probably about to experience the most sophisticated "low-brow" prank in Hollywood history.
Suddenly, a loud, wet rip would echo off the elevator walls.
Nielsen wouldn’t flinch. He wouldn’t apologize. He’d just keep staring straight ahead with the dignity of a monarch, while everyone else shifted their feet in agonizing silence. This was the legendary leslie nielsen fart machine in action. It wasn't just a toy to him; it was a philosophy.
The Device That Conquered Hollywood
Most people think Nielsen used a high-tech electronic speaker. Honestly, it was much simpler than that. The primary device was a handheld, squeeze-activated rubber cylinder often known as a Handi-Gas or a Martin Sez Fart Bag. It wasn't some digital soundboard with 50 programmed noises. It was a purely mechanical, air-based gadget that required genuine skill to operate.
Nielsen was a virtuoso. He could control the pitch, the duration, and even the "texture" of the sound just by how he cupped it in his palm. He often licked the rubber seal to ensure the perfect amount of moisture for a realistic "blast."
He didn't just buy one and call it a day. He carried crates of them. He became a self-appointed ambassador for flatulence humor, handing them out to crew members and co-stars like they were religious tracts.
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Why the Prank Actually Worked
The magic wasn't the sound. It was the man.
Before Airplane! in 1980, Leslie Nielsen was a serious dramatic actor. He starred in Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure. He played authority figures. When a man who looks like the President of the United States lets out a massive (fake) fart in the middle of a live TV interview, your brain short-circuits.
He used this to break the ice. Hollywood sets are notoriously high-pressure environments. By the second week of filming Airplane!, the directors, David and Jerry Zucker, had to actually ban the machines because the entire crew was "farting" at each other, and no work was getting done.
Famous Victims of the "Noxious" Prank
Nobody was safe. From talk show legends to international royalty, the leslie nielsen fart machine was an equal-opportunity offender.
- David Letterman & Conan O'Brien: Nielsen was a frequent guest on late-night TV. He would often hide the device under his arm or in his pocket. During a 1982 appearance with Letterman, he interrupted a serious discussion about MASH* with a series of rhythmic honks. He’d blame it on "the salmon" or "the lunch" with a completely straight face.
- The Elevator Tourists: His Airplane! co-star Jill Whelan once recounted a story of Nielsen boarding an elevator full of Japanese tourists. He unleashed a barrage of sounds so convincing and frequent that the entire group fled at the very next floor.
- Fred Saxon: In a 2003 press junket for Scary Movie 3, reporter Fred Saxon was trying to ask legitimate questions. Nielsen spent nearly the entire interview blaming his "upset stomach" on a bad piece of fish, all while firing off the device. Saxon later revealed he was in on the joke, but the footage remains a masterpiece of deadpan comedy.
- The "Naked Gun" Sets: On the set of The Naked Gun, he’d use it during other actors' close-ups to see if they would break character. Most did.
A Legacy That Followed Him to the Grave
Leslie Nielsen didn't stop being funny when the cameras turned off. He didn't even stop when he passed away in 2010.
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His commitment to the bit was total. If you visit his final resting place at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you’ll see his name, his dates, and a simple two-word epitaph: "Let 'er rip." It is a final, eternal wink to the fans who knew his secret.
But the story gets even more "Nielsen" than a gravestone.
The Funeral Prank
In late 2025, Nielsen’s niece, Kyoko, shared a story on TikTok that confirmed her uncle’s humor was literally "grave." At his funeral—which she described as more of a massive party than a wake—there was an open bar. Hidden inside Nielsen's casket was a remote-controlled fart machine.
The remote was left on the bar.
Whenever a guest went to grab a drink, they could press the button. A loud, wet sound would emanate from the coffin across the room. Mourners who weren't in on the joke were left horrified, wondering if the body was... reacting. It was morbid. It was ridiculous. It was exactly what he would have wanted.
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How to Pull Off a Nielsen-Level Prank
If you want to channel your inner Leslie, you can’t just buy a machine and start squeezing. There is an art to it.
- The Straight Face: This is the most important part. If you laugh, the joke is over. You have to look concerned, embarrassed, or entirely oblivious.
- The Excuse: Have a go-to reason. Nielsen loved blaming "the salmon."
- The Mastery: Use a mechanical device, not a phone app. Digital sounds are too clean. You want the organic, unpredictable sound of air moving through rubber.
- The "Lick": As weird as it sounds, moisture helps the seal.
Actionable Insights for Pranksters
If you're looking to pick up the mantle, look for the Martin Sez Fart Bag or the Pooter Tooter. These are the closest versions to what Nielsen actually used. Avoid the cheap plastic electronic ones; they lack the "soul" of a real squeeze-bag.
Practice cupping the device in your hand so it's invisible. The goal is to make people think it’s coming from you, not a toy. It’s about the social awkwardness, not just the noise.
Leslie Nielsen proved that you're never too old, too successful, or too "distinguished" to appreciate a well-timed fart joke. He used it to remind us that we're all human, we're all a bit ridiculous, and nobody should take life—or themselves—too seriously.
Next time you’re in a quiet, crowded place, remember the man with the silver hair and the hidden rubber bag. He’d want you to let one rip.