
Person
David Nelson
Acting · 1936–2011 · New York City, New York, USA
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.
Known for

The Love Boat
Gary Gage

Adam-12
Director

The Steve Allen Show
Self - Recipient

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
David

The Hollywood Palace
Self - Trapeze Artist

Hondo
1967

Cry-Baby
Wanda's Father

The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)

Up in Smoke
Roxy Doorman

O.K. Crackerby
Director
Filmography
- 1999Television: The First Fifty YearsSelf (archive footage)
- 1995The CourtyardCop
- 1990Cry-BabyWanda's Father
- 1987Off the MarkCurrent Resident
- 1985America, You're Too Young to DieDirector
- 1984A Rare BreedDirector
- 1983High School U.S.A.Mr. Krinsky, Janitor
- 1983Last Plane OutDirector
- 1982Death ScreamsDirector
- 1979In Search of Historic JesusLeper
- 1978Up in SmokeRoxy Doorman
- 1977The Love BoatGary Gage
- 1976Smash-Up on Interstate 5Berman
- 1974Sonic BoomCo-Pilot
- 1973Easy to Be FreeDirector
- 1970Swing Out, Sweet LandUnion Soldier
- 1969Childish ThingsDirector
- 1968Adam-12Director
- 1968The Movie OrgySelf (archive footage)
- 1967Hondo
- 1965O.K. CrackerbyDirector
- 1965Love and KissesCameo Appearance
- 1964The Hollywood PalaceSelf - Trapeze Artist
- 1961The Big ShowEric Solden
- 1959-30-Earl Collins
- 1959The Big CircusTommy Gordon
- 1959Disneyland '59Self
- 1959Day of the OutlawGene, Bruhn's Gang
- 1959The Remarkable Mr. PennypackerHenry Pennypacker
- 1957Peyton PlaceTed Carter
- 1956The Steve Allen ShowSelf - Recipient
- 1952The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietDavid
- 1952Here Come the NelsonsDavid Nelson
- —An LA Christmas StoryComedy Club Patron
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