David Nelson
Biography
David Oswald Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011) was an American actor. He was the elder son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson and Ozzie Nelson and the older brother of musician Ricky Nelson.
Nelson's acting career started in 1949 when he and his brother began playing themselves on his 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.
Also in 1952 Nelson continued playing himself on the television version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which ran until 1966.Starting in the early 1960s, he directed about a dozen episodes of the show.
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. Nelson's last film appearance was in John Waters' 1990 film Cry-Baby.
Nelson died on January 11, 2011, in Century City, California, of complications of colon cancer.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about David Nelson.
Full filmography
- The Love Boat (1977) as Gary Gage
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Recipient
- The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) as David
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self - Trapeze Artist
- Hondo (1967)
- Cry-Baby (1990) as Wanda's Father
- Up in Smoke (1978) as Roxy Doorman
- Peyton Place (1957) as Ted Carter
- High School U.S.A. (1983) as Mr. Krinsky, Janitor
- The Movie Orgy (1968) as Self (archive footage)
- Day of the Outlaw (1959) as Gene, Bruhn's Gang
- Sonic Boom (1974) as Co-Pilot
- Off the Mark (1987) as Current Resident
- The Courtyard (1995) as Cop
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959) as Henry Pennypacker
- The Big Circus (1959) as Tommy Gordon
- Disneyland '59 (1959) as Self
- Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (1976) as Berman
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) as Union Soldier
- -30- (1959) as Earl Collins
- Love and Kisses (1965) as Cameo Appearance
- Here Come the Nelsons (1952) as David Nelson
- In Search of Historic Jesus (1979) as Leper