David Nelson
An image from Day of the Outlaw, one of the productions that also features David Nelson.
David Nelson

David Nelson

October 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.

Day of the Outlaw

Day of the Outlaw

1959

Peyton Place

Peyton Place

1957

The Big Circus

The Big Circus

1959

-30-

-30-

1959

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

1952

The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker

The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker

1959

The Big Show

The Big Show

1961

Here Come the Nelsons

Here Come the Nelsons

1952