Known For
Acting
Born
May 08, 1940
Died
Dec 31, 1985
Place of Birth
Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
Credits
48 titles
Ricky Nelson
Biography
Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor. He placed fifty-three songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1957 and 1973, including nineteen top-ten hits, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987. Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949 playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and, in 1952, appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and recorded a number one album, Ricky. In 1958, Nelson recorded his first number one single, "Poor Little Fool", and, in 1959, received a Golden Globe Most Promising Male Newcomer nomination after starring in the western film, Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and, when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs. Nelson and Sharon Kristin Harmon were married on April 20, 1963, and divorced in December 1982. They had four children: Tracy Kristine, twin sons Gunnar Eric and Matthew Gray, and Sam Hilliard. On February 14, 1981, a son was born to Nelson and Georgeann Crewe. A blood test in 1985 confirmed Nelson was the child's father. Nelson was engaged to Helen Blair at the time of his death in an airplane crash on December 31, 1985.
Known For
Filmography
Kenny Rogers and Friends
Self
The Wrecking Crew
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Ricky Nelson Sings
La Classe américaine
George's Friend (archive footage)
Death In Hollywood
Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian
Mr. Christian
High School U.S.A.
Principal Pete Kinney
Men Who Rate a 10
Self
Solid Gold
Self
Three on a Date
Bob Oakes
The Love Boat
Ted Wilcox
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Shootist
Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
Dinah!
Self
Petrocelli
Country Boy White
Sonic Boom
Jess of the Van
Easy to Be Free
Himself
Rock Concert
Self
The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks
Self (archive footage)
The Streets of San Francisco
Fol-de-Rol
The Minstrel (as Rick Nelson)
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
Vic
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy
Voice Over
McCloud
Swing Out, Sweet Land
Confederate Soldier
The Jim Nabors Hour
The Over the Hill Gang
Jeff Rose
The Johnny Cash Show
Self
The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)
Hondo
Malibu U
Self - Host
On the Flip Side
Carlos O'Connor
ABC Stage 67
Carlos O'Connor
Love and Kisses
Buzzy Pringle
Miss USA
Self - Performer
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self (archive footage)
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Tommy Hanson
Disneyland '59
Self
Rio Bravo
Colorado Ryan
The Story of Three Loves
Young Tommy
General Electric Theater
Lonnie Follett
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Ricky
Here Come the Nelsons
Ricky Nelson
What's My Line?
Self - Mystery Guest
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
Ricky Nelson & Fats Domino - Rockin' With Rick and Fats