David Nelson, Scion of Famous Television Family, Dies
Ozzie and Harriet’s oldest son — and last remaining member of the original Nelson family of longtime TV fame – was 74.
David Nelson, the older son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson who starred on his parents’ popular television show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, died January 11, 2011, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 74.
According to news reports, the cause was complications of colon cancer.
The last remaining member of the Nelson family, which included actor-bandleader Ozzie, his singer wife, Harriet Hilliard, and his younger brother Rick, who became a teen idol as a singer and actor.
The family series began on radio in 1952 as Here Come the Nelsons. Later, from 1952 to 1966, it ran for 320 episodes on television as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Some of the story lines were taken from the family’s off-screen life. Further blurring the lines of reality, the show was shot in the Nelson family home.
During the show’s run, David Nelson also directed and produced numerous episodes.
Nelson was born October 24, 1936, in New York City. The family later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Hollywood High School and the University of Southern California.
His other television credits as an actor include The Love Boat, High School USA and A Family for Joe.
His directing credits include O.K. Crackerby, Childish Things, Easy to Be Free, Ozzie’s Girls, Death Screams, Last Plane Out, Goodnight Beantown and A Rare Breed.
His feature film credits as an actor included Peyton Place, The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker, The Big Circus, Day of the Outlaw, 30, The Big Show, Love and Kisses, Swing Out, Sweet Land and Cry-Baby. In 1976, he costarred with his mother in Smash-Up on Interstate 5.
For his contributions to television, Nelson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ozzie Nelson died in 1975, Harriet Nelson died in 1994 and Rick Nelson died in a 1985 airplane crash.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Yvonne, four sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren and his late brother Rick’s children — nephews Matthew, Gunnar and Sam, and niece Tracy.