David Nelson was #BornOnThisDay. Nelson an actor, director, & producer is best remembered for his role on the TV series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952 - '66) along with his real-life brother Ricky Nelson & his parents. Passed in 2011 (age 74) of #cancer #RIP #BOTD

David Nelson (actor)


David Nelson in c. 1964

Born: David Oswald Nelson; October 24, 1936; New York City, US
Died: January 11, 2011 (aged 74); Century City, California, U.S.
Resting place: Westwood Memorial Park
Nationality: American
Alma mater: University of Southern California
Occupation: Actor, director, producer
Years active: 1948–1990

David Oswald Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011) was an American actor, director, and producer.

{snip}

Early life

David Oswald Nelson was born October 24, 1936 in New York City. Nelson was the elder son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson (born Peggy Lou Snyder; July 18, 1909 – October 2, 1994) and Ozzie Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975). He was the older brother of singer Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985). In late 1941, Nelson moved with his parents from Tenafly, New Jersey to Los Angeles, California. Infant brother Ricky stayed behind with his paternal grandmother until 1942 when the family was settled.

Career


The Nelson family, c. 1952

Along with his brother and their parents, Nelson appeared on the long-running sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet in the 1950s and 1960s. Late in the run of the series, Nelson directed several episodes. After the series' end, he continued acting, directing and producing. His most memorable 'break-out' performance was in the 1959 thriller The Big Circus, wherein Nelson played a disturbed, apparently homicidal 'troubled youth', while his last film appearance was in the campier Cry-Baby (1990). For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Nelson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1501 Vine Street, on May 9, 1996.

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.

Personal life

Nelson had two sons—Daniel Blair and James Eric—from his first marriage with June Blair, which ended in divorce, and adopted two sons and a daughter—John, Eric, and Teri—during his second marriage, to Yvonne Huston.

Death

Nelson died on January 11, 2011, in Century City, California, from complications of colon cancer.

Nelson was cremated and chose not to be interred with his father, mother, brother and grandmother in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California, instead choosing a niche in Westwood Memorial Park's outdoor Garden of Serenity columbarium.

{snip}

David Nelson Sings I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)
59,949 views Jan 11, 2012

jesmelric
12.3K subscribers

In memory of David Nelson on the one year anniversary of his passing. From Ozzie & Harriet in 1957, David sings with Miss Universe Carol Morris.