David Nelson : "Ozzie and Harriet" Series Died From Colon Cancer in Century City, California

David Nelson


Ozzie Nelson with David Nelson, far right on a later, "Ozzie and Harriet"


Nelson Family, Ozzie, Harriet, Ricky on left and David on right



Opening Shot of the, "Ozzie and Harriet" show. It was the outside of the Nelson home at 1822 Camino Palmero in LA.



"The Ozzie and Harriet" show


"Here Comes The Nelsons" was a feature film that starred then entire Nelson family. It was a bridge between the radio show and the TV series. The film came out in 1952.

David Nelson was born on October 24, 1936 in New York City. He passed away on January 11, 2011 in Century City, California from Colon cancer. He was 72 years old.
He was married to June Blair from 1961 to 1975. In 1975 he married Yvonne O'Conner Huston from 1975 to his death.
David Nelson was a member of the famous Nelson family; Ozzie, Harriet, and Ricky.
The family was known for the successful radio and TV series; "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." The show was launched on radio on October 8, 1944. David and Ricky did not join the radio show until five years later in 1949 because they were too young to be on the show. Actors had filled in for them during the first 5 years. Actor, Joel David played David on radio during that time.
In 1952, Ozzie Nelson decided to do a feature film, "Here Comes the Nelsons" which was a test to see if the radio show would work on the screen. The movie was distributed by, Universal International. The movie depicted Ozzie as an ad executive who had a women's underwear company to promote. The huge success of the feature film starring Rock Hudson allowed Ozzie to take the show idea to the small screen. Ozzie had persuaded the CBS Network to air "Ozzie and Harriet." He got a deal with the network to pay him whether or not the show survived for the ten full years. The show was supposed to be as realistic as possible. The exterior of the Nelson's real home on 1822 Camino Palmero Street in LA was used. Ozzie Nelson was a perfectionist and made the show successful. It aired between 1952 and 1966, starring the entire family; Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky.
In 1972, David did a spin off of the show, "Ozzie's Girls" about 2 girls who move into the household with the boys. The show never took off. It was declined by NBC and local stations picked it up for one season in 1972. David Nelson had produced feature films, and TV commercials. He had owned his own commercial production company. The last feature film he had acted in was, "Cry Baby" in 1990.
He was the last member of the family who died. Ricky, Ozzie and Harriet were all buried at Fair Lawn in LA and it is most likely that he will be laid to rest there too.