David Nelson (actor)
American actor (1936–2011) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American actor (1936–2011) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David Oswald Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011) was an American actor. He was the older brother of musician Ricky Nelson.
David Nelson | |
|---|---|
David Nelson in c. 1964 | |
| Born | David Oswald Nelson October 24, 1936 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 2011 (aged 74) Century City, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westwood Memorial Park |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1948–1990 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Ozzie Nelson Harriet Nelson |
| Relatives | Ricky Nelson (brother) Kristin Nelson (sister-in-law) Tracy Nelson (niece) Matthew Nelson (nephew) Gunnar Nelson (nephew) Sam Nelson (nephew) |
Nelson was born October 24, 1936, in New York City, the elder son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson and Ozzie Nelson.[1] His younger brother was singer Ricky Nelson. In late 1941, Nelson moved with his parents from Tenafly, New Jersey, to Los Angeles, California.[2]
He attended Hollywood High School, balancing his studies, playing on the football team and his TV work. He later attended the University of Southern California and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.[3]
Nelson's acting career started in 1949 when he and his brother began playing themselves on their parents' radio series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which lasted until 1954.[4] His film debut came in Here Come the Nelsons, released in 1952.[1]
Also in 1952 Nelson continued playing himself on the television version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which ran until 1966.[5] Starting in the early 1960s he directed about a dozen episodes of the show.[1]
During the 1950s and 60s he appeared in Peyton Place, The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker, The Big Circus, Day of the Outlaw, -30-, and The Big Show.[1]
From the 1970s through 1990 Nelson had roles in Smash-Up on Interstate 5, Up In Smoke, The Love Boat, High School U.S.A., and A Family for Joe.[6] Nelson's last film appearance was in the 1990 film Cry-Baby.[1]
Nelson directed episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, O.K. Crackerby!, Ozzie's Girls and Goodnight, Beantown. He directed several films, including Childish Things, Death Screams and Last Plane Out.[6]
In 1973 he was the producer of Ozzie's Girls, a spinoff/revival of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.[7]
Nelson had two sons—Daniel Blair and James Eric from his first marriage with June Blair, which ended in divorce. He later adopted two sons and a daughter—John, Eric, and Teri—during his second marriage to Yvonne Huston.[2]
Nelson died on January 11, 2011, in Century City, California, of complications of colon cancer.[8]
Actor
|
Director
Producer
|
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Television (star at 1501 Vine Street) |
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet[9] | Honored |
| 2006 | TV Land Awards | Favorite Singing Siblings (shared with Ricky Nelson) |
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | Nominated |
