Ricky Nelson
Acting • Born 1940-05-08 – Died 1985-12-31
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.
Filmography
45 credits
Rio Bravo
Movie • 1959
Colorado Ryan
The Movie Orgy
Movie • 1968
Self (archive footage)
The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Movie • 1960
Tommy Hanson
The Over the Hill Gang
Movie • 1969
Jeff Rose
Ricky Nelson Sings
Movie • 2005
Ricky Nelson & Fats Domino - Rockin' With Rick and Fats
Movie
The Wrecking Crew
Movie • 2008
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1970
Voice Over
Fol-de-Rol
Movie • 1972
The Minstrel (as Rick Nelson)
The Story of Three Loves
Movie • 1953
Young Tommy
The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks
Movie • 1973
Self (archive footage)
Here Come the Nelsons
Movie • 1952
Ricky Nelson
Love and Kisses
Movie • 1965
Buzzy Pringle
The Shootist
Movie • 1976
Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Men Who Rate a 10
Movie • 1980
Self
On the Flip Side
Movie • 1966
Carlos O'Connor
High School U.S.A.
Movie • 1984
Principal Pete Kinney
Sonic Boom
Movie • 1974
Jess of the Van
La Classe américaine
Movie • 1993
George's Friend (archive footage)
Disneyland '59
Movie • 1959
Self
Three on a Date
Movie • 1978
Bob Oakes
Kenny Rogers and Friends
Movie • 2010
Self
Easy to Be Free
Movie • 1973
Himself
Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian
Movie
Mr. Christian
The Love Boat
TV • 1977
Ted Wilcox
The Streets of San Francisco
TV • 1972
Solid Gold
TV • 1980
Self
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
TV • 1977
General Electric Theater
TV • 1953
Lonnie Follett
Rock Concert
TV • 1973
Self
The Johnny Cash Show
TV • 1969
Self
McCloud
TV • 1970
The Jim Nabors Hour
TV • 1969
Hondo
TV • 1967
ABC Stage 67
TV • 1966
Carlos O'Connor
Malibu U
TV • 1967
Self - Host
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Host
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
What's My Line?
TV • 1950
Self - Mystery Guest
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
TV • 1971
Vic
Petrocelli
TV • 1974
Country Boy White
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
TV • 1952
Ricky
Miss USA
TV • 1963
Self - Performer