David Nelson
0.7Acting

David Nelson

Oct 24, 1936 - New York City, New York, USA

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.

Credits

Cast

Media
Movie1968The Movie OrgySelf (archive footage)
Movie1959-30-Earl Collins
Movie1957Peyton PlaceTed Carter
Movie1959Day of the OutlawGene, Bruhn's Gang
Movie1995The CourtyardCop
Movie1959The Big CircusTommy Gordon
Movie1961The Big ShowEric Solden
Movie1952Here Come the NelsonsDavid Nelson
Movie1965Love and KissesCameo Appearance
MovieN/AAn LA Christmas StoryComedy Club Patron
Movie1970Swing Out, Sweet LandUnion Soldier
Movie1979In Search of Historic JesusLeper
Movie1987Off the MarkCurrent Resident
Movie1959The Remarkable Mr. PennypackerHenry Pennypacker
Movie1999Television: The First Fifty YearsSelf (archive footage)
Movie1978Up in SmokeRoxy Doorman
Movie1990Cry-BabyWanda's Father
Movie1983High School U.S.A.Mr. Krinsky, Janitor
Movie1976Smash-Up on Interstate 5Berman
Movie1974Sonic BoomCo-Pilot
Movie1959Disneyland '59Self
TV Show1964The Hollywood PalaceSelf - Trapeze Artist2
TV Show1967Hondo1
TV Show1956The Steve Allen ShowSelf - Recipient1
TV Show1952The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietDavid435
TV Show1977The Love BoatGary Gage1

Crew

Media
Movie1985America, You're Too Young to DieDirectorDirecting
Movie1982Death ScreamsDirectorDirecting
Movie1969Childish ThingsDirectorDirecting
Movie1983Last Plane OutDirectorDirecting
Movie1983Last Plane OutProducerProduction
Movie1973Easy to Be FreeDirectorDirecting
Movie1984Rare BreedDirectorDirecting
TV Show1965O.K. CrackerbyDirectorDirecting
TV Show1968Adam-12DirectorDirecting
TV Show1952The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietDirectorDirecting