'Ozzie and Harriet' Star David Nelson Dies

By AOL TV Editors Posted Jan 12th 2011 05:46AM

David Nelson, who co-starred with his parents and little brother Rick on the popular television show 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,' has died after battling complications of colon cancer, a family spokesman told the Associated Press. He was 74.

Nelson died Tuesday at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles.

Nelson was born in New York City and moved to Los Angeles with his parents, where he attended Hollywood High School and the University of Southern California.

When 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' moved from radio to TV, he and Rick convinced their parents to be on the show.

'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' aired on ABC from 1952 to 1966; many of the episodes were directed by Nelson, who was the last surviving member of the TV family.

Watch a Clip From 'Ozzie and Harriet':

Nelson's film credits included 'Peyton Place,' 'The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker,' 'The Big Circus' and 'The Big Show.'

In 1976 he co-starred with his mother in 'Smash-Up on Interstate 5.' His television credits included 'Up in Smoke,' 'The Love Boat,' 'High School USA' and 'A Family For Joe.'

His directing credits included 'O.K. Crackerby,' 'Childish Things,' 'Easy to Be Free,' 'Ozzie's Girls' and 'A Rare Breed.'

Nelson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996.

Nelson is survived by his wife, Yvonne; four sons and a daughter; and seven grandchildren. A service will be held Thursday at Pierce Brothers Westwood Mortuary.

For more coverage, visit TV Squad.

Comments

(152)

Wednesday 12 January

By Sharon

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how sad....I loved watching the nelsons on tv when I was a kid.
RIP David Nelson.

By BTDT

Grew up watching Ozzie and Harriet and loved it.
RIP Mr. Nelson.

By BushStaged911

we watched this family as kids . We all thought they were a high functioning family . They were as dysfunctional as the rest of us . So sad as he leaves behind so many children .
David seemed to have the more stable life of the brothers

By striper

Couldn't agree more. RIP Dave.

By Cutie

.......he was so dreamy............

By bill

it was a great show.you got to be the same age as me,39.

By Marsha

I too grew up watching this show and loved it. Oh BTW Bill, you had to watch reruns if you are only 39. The last show aired 45 years ago.

By misspastel

I agree with Sharon. It was one of my childhood show's I always
watched. God Bless him and his family; here and in Heaven.

By Karen

I cut my teeth on this show in childhood and had a huge crush on both brothers but David was my fave. May his family know how many people have been made happy by him.

By Becki

It's sad to hear this. I'm a fan of both David and Rick and loved watching the Nelsons show. R.I.P. David Nelson, you will be missed and remembered forever.

By Kate

R.I.P. David Nelson, you'll always be missed and remembered.

By Mary

Those were truly the golden years of television! There wasn't a family hour; the entire day was designed for the entire family. The standard of behavior that they set may have been a bit unrealistic but it errored on the side of civility,good manners and morality as opposed to the filth that is inundating us now. The Nelsons were our ideals. They had a good mixture of humor and conflict in each show that made for a good message.
My sympathies to the Nelson family. "Your father was a well-grounded example of what a 'celebrity' should be."

By Gloria

You are so right. Times have changed and not in a good way. The children of today are without morals. The crap they watch on tv does more harm than good. They were taught that bad behavior is rewarded. Ahhh! To go back in time to a better day.

By sonny

Yes they were wonderful days for us. What we didn't realize is that wasn't the case for many. I think things are good now for more people...maybe just not better for me and thee....

By Dana

You summed it up perfectly!

By Fred

Ozzie and Harriett were a staple of Americana, as was The Red Skelton show, and many other wholesome shows, now as Paul Harvey put it we have a cesspool entering our living rooms that isn't really fit to watch whether you're an adult or child. Remembrances of those long ago times bring back a sense of humanity that have since left us. Thanks for the memories.

By grapost

I grew up watching Ozzie And Harriet. I have many fond memories of it. What TV SHOULD be like today. RIP David.

By Mare

Grew up in the era when wholesome TV was available and it was refreshing to follow the Nelson family. RIP.

By Jill

To the Nelson Family, Never forget the good times. Grew up watching the show. May David rest in peace

By David Trout

Grew up watching this show, one of my favorites, RIP, David

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