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Nelson Lyon

1939 – 2012

American actor, director and screenwriter

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About Nelson Lyon

Lived 1939 – 2012 (aged 73). Nelson Lyon was an American actor, screenwriter, film producer and film director.

Nelson Lyon (February 28, 1939 – July 17, 2012) was an American writer, actor, photographer and film director, known for his directorial debut The Telephone Book. He started working in advertising and later as a writer for Saturday Night Live during the early 1980s. He attended Columbia University. In the 1960s he was an active member of the counterculture movement and was friendly with several key figures, like Andy Warhol and William Burroughs.

After Belushi's death, Lyon's character was stained by his association with the case and he struggled to find work. According to Mark Mothersbaugh, a close friend, "in his later years he was dependent on the largess of his friends." He died of liver cancer on July 17, 2012.

Filmography Film Year Title Credit Notes 1971 The Telephone Book Director, screenwriter film debut 1977 The Baron Screenwriter 1988 Spike of Bensonhurst Co-Producer alternative title: Mafia Kid 1994 Floundering Chief Merryl Fence 1996 Baja Nelson (final film role)2005PhobiasShane Free

Television Year Title Role Notes 1981–1982 Saturday Night Live Writer 20 episodes

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Columbia University, University of Columbia

People in Nelson Lyon's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Nelson Lyon's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nelson Lyon?

American actor, director and screenwriter

When was Nelson Lyon born?

Nelson Lyon was born on 28 February 1939 in Troy Hills.

When did Nelson Lyon die?

Nelson Lyon died on 17 July 2012 in Los Angeles.

What was Nelson Lyon's occupation?

Nelson Lyon was an actor, screenwriter, film producer and film director.

What nationality was Nelson Lyon?

Nelson Lyon was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Nelson Lyon

· Wikidata: Q94660775

· DBpedia: Nelson Lyon

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nelson Lyon. https://biography.guide/nelson-lyon/

MLA: "Nelson Lyon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nelson-lyon/.

Chicago: "Nelson Lyon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nelson-lyon/.

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