David Nelson

David Oswald Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011) was an American actor, producer and director. He was the older brother of musician Ricky Nelson.

Early life Nelson was born October 24, 1936, in New York City, the elder son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson and Ozzie Nelson. His younger brother was singer Ricky Nelson. In late 1941, Nelson moved with his parents from Tenafly, New Jersey, to Los Angeles, California.

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.

Career

Acting 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. His film debut came in Here Come the Nelsons, released in 1952. He directed about a dozen episodes of the show starting in the early 1960s. Nelson's last film appearance was in the 1990 film Cry-Baby.

Personal life and death 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 (John and Eric) and a daughter, Teri, during his second marriage to Yvonne Huston.

Filmography

Actor Here Come the Nelsons (1952) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (320 episodes, 1952–1966) Peyton Place (1957) The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959) The Big Circus (1959) Day of the Outlaw (1959) -30- (1959) The Big Show (1961) Hondo (1 episode, 1967) Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) The D.A. (1 episode, 1971) Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (1976) Up in Smoke (1978) The Love Boat (1 episode, 1978) An Ozzie and Harriet Christmas (1981 TV special on KTLA in Los Angeles) High School U.S.A. (1983) A Family for Joe (1990) Cry-Baby (1990)

Director The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (12 episodes) O.K. Crackerby! (Unknown episodes) Childish Things (1969) Easy to Be Free (1973) Ozzie's Girls (1973) Death Screams (1982) Last Plane Out (1983) Goodnight, Beantown (1 episode, 1984) A Rare Breed (1984)

Producer Ozzie's Girls (1973) Easy to Be Free (1973) Last Plane Out (1983)

Awards