Gary Nelson
Biography
Gary Nelson was an American television and film director born in Los Angeles, California on October 6, 1934, and he passed away on May 25, 2022, at the age of 87. He was also known by the name Conte. Throughout his career, Nelson amassed 83 known credits in directing. He directed numerous well-known television series, including Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, Gilligan's Island, and Happy Days, among dozens of others. In addition, Nelson directed five films, which included two productions for Walt Disney Pictures. In 1978, he received an Emmy nomination for outstanding directorial achievement for his work on Washington: Behind Closed Doors. In his personal life, Nelson was married to actress Judi Meredith and had two sons. He semi-retired, but occasionally continued to teach at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Career overview
Gary Nelson was an American television and film director born in Los Angeles, California, on October 6, 1934. He built an extensive career with numerous known credits in directing across both film and television. His television work included directing episodes for several well-known series such as Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, Gilligan's Island, and Happy Days, among dozens of other programs. In addition to his prolific television output, Nelson directed five feature films, which included two productions for Walt Disney Pictures.
Throughout his career, Nelson received recognition for his work behind the camera, including an Emmy nomination in 1978 for outstanding directorial achievement for Washington Behind Closed Doors. In his personal life, he was married to actress Judi Meredith and had two sons. Later in life, Nelson entered a period of semi-retirement while continuing to occasionally teach at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He passed away on May 25, 2022, at the age of 87.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014) as Self - Director, Allan Quatermain
- Melanie Darrow (1997) Director
- Early Edition (1996) Director
- Fast Company (1995) Director
- Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder (1995) Director
- Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice (1994) Director
- Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert (1993) Director
- The Return of Ironside (1993) Director
- The Sands of Time (1992) Director
- Revolver (1992) Director
- Memories of Midnight (1991) Director
- The Hit Man (1991) Director
- The Lookalike (1990) Director
- The Nutt House (1989) Director
- Get Smart, Again! (1989) Director
- Police Story (1988) Director
- Noble House (1988) Director
- Shooter (1988) Director
- Police Story: The Watch Commander (1988) Director
- Police Story: The Watch Commander (1988) Executive Producer
- Houston Knights (1987) Director
- Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986) Director
- Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986) Finance
- Murder in Three Acts (1986) Director
- Crazy like a Fox (1984) Director
- More Than Murder (1984) Director
- The Baron and the Kid (1984) Director
- For Love and Honor (1983) Director
- Murder Me, Murder You (1983) Director
- Murder in Coweta County (1983) Director
- For Love and Honor (1983) Director
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982) Director
- Jimmy the Kid (1982) Director
- McClain's Law (1981) Director
- The Pride of Jesse Hallam (1981) Director
- The Black Hole (1979) as Drone with Mask Removed (uncredited)
- The Black Hole (1979) Director
- A Movie Star's Daughter (1979) Director
- To Kill a Cop (1978) Director
- To Kill a Cop (1978) Director
- It's a Mile from Here to Glory (1978) Director
- Hunter (1977) Director
- Washington: Behind Closed Doors (1977) Director
- Freaky Friday (1976) Director
- Panache (1976) Director
- Medical Story (1975) Director
- Medical Story (1975) Director
- Archer (1975) Director
- The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975) Director
- Born Free (1974) Director
- The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974) Director
- Kojak (1973) Director
- Police Story (1973) Director
- Toma (1973) Director
- Adam's Rib (1973) Director
- Faraday and Company (1973) Director
- Santee (1973) Director
- The Brian Keith Show (1972) Director
- Molly and Lawless John (1972) Director
- McMillan & Wife (1971) Director
- The Partners (1971) Director
- The Boy from Dead Man's Bayou (1971) Director
- Nanny and the Professor (1970) Director
- Arnie (1970) Director
- Love, American Style (1969) Director
- Room 222 (1969) Director
- The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969) Director
- Bracken's World (1969) Director
- Secrets of the Pirate's Inn (1969) Director
- The Doris Day Show (1968) Director
- The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1968) Director
- Good Morning World (1967) Director
- Captain Nice (1967) Director
- Accidental Family (1967) Director
- Shane (1966) Director
- Shane (1966) Creator
- Occasional Wife (1966) Director
- Get Smart (1965) Director
- Get Smart (1965) Producer
- F Troop (1965) Director
- O.K. Crackerby (1965) Director
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) Director
- Gilligan's Island (1964) Director
- The Patty Duke Show (1963) Director
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Director
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) Director
- Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) Second Assistant Director
- Gunsmoke (1955) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gary Nelson best known for?
Gary Nelson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Last Metro (1980), The Nutt House (1989), Rad (1986), Shooter (1988).
When and where was Gary Nelson born?
Gary Nelson was born on October 6, 1934 in Los Angeles, California, USA. They passed away on May 25, 2022.
How many credits does Gary Nelson have?
Gary Nelson has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2014.
What is Gary Nelson's background in cinema and television?
Gary Nelson was an American television and film director born in Los Angeles, California on October 6, 1934, and he passed away on May 25, 2022, at the age of 87. He was also known by the name Conte. Throughout his career, Nelson amassed 83 known credits in directing. He directed numerous well-known television series, ...
Gary Nelson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Black Hole (1979) as Drone with Mask Removed (uncredited) — aged about 44
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