Cast & creator
David Nelson
Best known for The Love Boat, Adam-12, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
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.
Also known as: David Oswald Nelson
28
film credits
8
television credits
26
1952–1999 · acting roles
6.2
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (36)
Showing 36 of 36 credits
The Love Boat
Gary Gage
1977
Adam-12
Director
1968
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
David
1952The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Director
1952
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Recipient
1956
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Trapeze Artist
1964
Hondo
1967
Cry-Baby
Wanda's Father
1990
Up in Smoke
Roxy Doorman
1978
Day of the Outlaw
Gene, Bruhn's Gang
1959
Peyton Place
Ted Carter
1957
O.K. Crackerby
Director
1965
The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)
1968Television: The First Fifty Years
Self (archive footage)
1999
High School U.S.A.
Mr. Krinsky, Janitor
1983
Smash-Up on Interstate 5
Berman
1976
The Big Circus
Tommy Gordon
1959
The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker
Henry Pennypacker
1959
Here Come the Nelsons
David Nelson
1952
The Courtyard
Cop
1995
Swing Out, Sweet Land
Union Soldier
1970
A Rare Breed
Director
1984
Last Plane Out
Director
1983Last Plane Out
Producer
1983
The Big Show
Eric Solden
1961
Off the Mark
Current Resident
1987
Disneyland '59
Self
1959
America, You're Too Young to Die
Director
1985
-30-
Earl Collins
1959
Death Screams
Director
1982
Sonic Boom
Co-Pilot
1974An LA Christmas Story
Comedy Club Patron
Easy to Be Free
Director
1973
Love and Kisses
Cameo Appearance
1965
In Search of Historic Jesus
Leper
1979
Childish Things
Director
1969