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.
Movies & TV Shows
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Cry-Baby (1990) — Wanda's Father
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Up in Smoke (1978) — Roxy Doorman
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The Love Boat (1977) — Gary Gage
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Day of the Outlaw (1959) — Gene, Bruhn's Gang
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Peyton Place (1957) — Ted Carter
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High School U.S.A. (1983) — Mr. Krinsky, Janitor
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The Movie Orgy (1968) — Self (archive footage)
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The Big Circus (1959) — Tommy Gordon
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The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) — David
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-30- (1959) — Earl Collins
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The Courtyard (1995) — Cop
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Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (1976) — Berman
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Off the Mark (1987) — Current Resident
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The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959) — Henry Pennypacker
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Hondo (1967)
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Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) — Union Soldier
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The Steve Allen Show (1956) — Self - Recipient
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The Big Show (1961) — Eric Solden
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Sonic Boom (1974) — Co-Pilot
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The Hollywood Palace (1964) — Self - Trapeze Artist
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In Search of Historic Jesus (1979) — Leper
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Here Come the Nelsons (1952) — David Nelson
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Disneyland '59 (1959) — Self
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Love and Kisses (1965) — Cameo Appearance
- An LA Christmas Story — Comedy Club Patron
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) — Self (archive footage)
Directed
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Adam-12 (1968) — Director
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Death Screams (1982) — Director
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The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) — Director
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Last Plane Out (1983) — Director
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Childish Things (1969) — Director
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Easy to Be Free (1973) — Director
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A Rare Breed (1984) — Director
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O.K. Crackerby (1965) — Director
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America, You're Too Young to Die (1985) — Director