Felix Nelson

Felix Bradford Nelson (August 13, 1913 – February 17, 1998) was an American stage, film, radio and television actor, best known for his work in Gordon Parks' The Learning Tree and Ruth Woodman's "Land of the Free" (Death Valley Days' acclaimed Season 1 finale). Nelson also appeared as Jim from Huckleberry Finn on both radio and television, and, alongside Sammy Davis Jr. and a mostly African American cast, in Aaron Spelling's groundbreaking 10th Cavalry Regiment-themed TV western, Mission.

Early life and career A native of Franklin, Texas, Nelson ran away from home at the age of 13, joining the J. R. Roberton Circus as a dancer, performing the Charleston and Black Bottom. From 1937 through 1940 and again from 1945 through 1948, he appeared with the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts, In the interim, he served with the United States Army for 3½ years during World War II, in China, India, and Burma, and was awarded the Purple Heart in 1945. The following year, he appeared as Jim—alongside Dean Stockwell's Huck and Jerry Farber's Tom—on NBC University Theater, in Ernest Kinoy's adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Personal life and death On June 3, 1948, the California Eagle reported that Nelson was residing in Laurel Canyon with his "pretty blue eyed wife." However, a 1953 profile in the Los Angeles Sentinel refers to him as "a bachelor."

Works

Radio Approximate date(s) Program (or LP) Role Notes April 17, 1949 NBC University TheaterEp. "Huckleberry Finn" Jim Ernest Kinoy's one-hour adaptation of Twain's novel, starring Dean Stockwell and Jerry Farber, as Finn and Tom Sawyer, respectively. January 22, 1950 NBC University TheaterEp. "At Heaven's Gate" An old man Clarice A. Ross's adaptation of Robert Penn Warren's like-named novel, featuring Vivi Janiss as Sue and Stephen Chase as Gov. Milam. July 23, 1950 NBC University TheaterEp. "Huckleberry Finn" Jim Reprising 4/17/49 production, with Henry Blair taking over as Huck Finn. August 20, 1950 NBC University TheaterEp. A High Wind in Jamaica The cook Jane Speed's adaptation of Richard Hughes' novel April 25, 1951 NBC Short StoryEp. "I'm a Fool" and "I Want to Know Why" NA William Hodapp's adaptation of stories by Sherwood Anderson. December 28, 1951 NBC Short StoryEp. "The Trader's Wife" NA Adaptation of Jean Kenyon Mackenzie's novel. May 2, 1952 NBC Short Storyep. "Biscuit Eater" NA Earl Hamner's adaptation of James Street's novel.

Film and television Year Title Role Notes1937 Flying Down to Rio Dancer (uncredited) 1953 Jamaica Run NA 1953 Sangaree Billy 1953 A Lion Is in the Streets Black cotton grower who corroborates Hank's suspicions just prior to pivotal short-weighting/shooting scene 1954 Playhouse of StarsEp. "The Jungle Trap" George Frank Burt script, dir. Jus Addiss 1954 Ramar of the Jungle (TV)Ep. "Striped Fury" Chief Gonowa 1955 Cavalcade of America (TV)Ep. A Chain of Hearts Chef 1956 Screen Directors Playhouse (TV)Ep. "The Dream" Negro 1956 General Electric Theater (TV)Ep. "The Jungle Trap" George 1956 Soldiers of Fortune (TV)Ep. "Boomerang" Chief 1959 General Electric Theater (TV)Ep. "Caesar and Cleopatra" NA 1959 Zane Grey Theater (TV)Ep. "Mission" Trooper Potts 1960 Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV)Ep. "Tom and Huck" George 1969 The Learning Tree Jack Winger 1970 The Ballad of Cable Hogue William 1980 The White Shadow (TV)Ep. "Links" Lawrence 1983 The Winds of War (TV)Ep. 4 ("Defiance") FDR Valet 1983 The Best of Times (TV pilot) Wheeler 1983 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV)Ep. "Once Again With Vigorish" Judge William Robinson 1984 Hill Street Blues (TV)Ep. "Nichols from Heaven" Man 1984 Rituals (TV) Carl Washington 1986 Blue City Caretaker 1986 Stewardess School Judge 1986 Soul Man Mr. Walker