Haywood Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Haywood Nelson
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Nelson in 2007
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| Born |
Haywood Knowles Nelson Jr.
March 25, 1960 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse(s) | Sheryl Piland (m.1981; div.1984) Diana Ramos (m.1987; div.1998) Khnadya Skye (2014-2020) Paula DeJesus (2023 - present) |
| Children | 3 |
Haywood Knowles Nelson Jr. (born March 25, 1960) is an American actor. He is most famous for playing Dwayne Nelson in the TV show What's Happening!!. This show was on from 1976 to 1979. He also played Dwayne in the show's spin-off, What's Happening Now!!, from 1985 to 1988.
About Haywood Nelson
Haywood Nelson has been acting for over 40 years. He was born in New York City. He started his career at age six. He appeared in many TV commercials, both on camera and doing voice-overs. Some of these were for popular brands like Campbell's Soup, Polaroid, Hot Wheels, and Burger King.
Early Acting Roles
Nelson also acted in several movies. These included Mixed Company and Evilspeak. He also performed on Broadway in a play called Thieves for two years.
He made guest appearances on TV shows like Kojak. When he was 14, he was a guest star on Sanford and Son. He played the grandson of a character named Grady. Later, he acted in the spin-off show Grady in 1975.
Becoming Dwayne Nelson
In 1976, when Haywood was 16, he got the role of Dwayne in the TV series What's Happening!!. This show became a big hit for ABC. As a popular actor on a TV show, Nelson became one of the first Black teen idols.
After three seasons, he had a short role on The White Shadow. Later, the cast of What's Happening!! got back together. They made a new show called What's Happening Now!!. This show ran for three seasons. Haywood also worked as a Technical Director for the show.
Haywood has also appeared as himself in movies like Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He also appeared on the TV show The Parkers. He is a dedicated Scientologist.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–74 | As the World Turns | Jerry Smith | |
| 1974 | Mixed Company | Freddie | Feature film |
| 1975 | Sanford and Son | Haywood Marshall | Episode: "The Family Man" |
| 1975–76 | Grady | Haywood Marshall | Main cast (10 episodes) |
| 1976–79 | What's Happening!! | Dwayne Nelson | Main cast (65 episodes) |
| 1977 | Kojak | Bobby Moore | Episode: "The Godson" |
| 1977 | The Brady Bunch Hour | Dwayne Nelson | Episode #1.8 |
| 1979 | The White Shadow | Randy Judd | Episode: "Sudden Death" |
| 1981 | Evilspeak | Kowalski | Feature film |
| 1983-84 | That Teen Show | Haywood Nelson | Co-host |
| 1985–88 | What's Happening Now!! | Dwayne Nelson | Main cast (66 episodes) |
| 1990 | Dragnet | Lyle Peters | Episode: "The Book" |
| 2000 | The Parkers | Himself (cameo) | Episode: "Whassup with Heyyy?" |
| 2003 | Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Himself (cameo) | Feature film |
