Ozzie Nelson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ozzie Nelson
Nelson in 1937
Born	Oswald George Nelson (1906-03-20)March 20, 1906 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	June 3, 1975(1975-06-03) (aged 69) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Occupation	Actor director producer screenwriter musician composer conductor bandleader
Years active	1930–1973
Spouse(s)	Harriet Nelson ​ (m. 1935)​
Children	David Nelson Ricky Nelson
Relatives	Don Nelson (brother) Kristin Nelson (daughter-in-law) Tracy Nelson (granddaughter) Matthew Nelson (grandson) Gunnar Nelson (grandson)

Oswald George Nelson (born March 20, 1906 – died June 3, 1975) was an American actor, filmmaker, musician, and bandleader. He is best known for creating and starring in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. This popular radio and television show featured his wife, Harriet, and their two sons, David and Ricky Nelson.

Early life and education

Ozzie Nelson was born on March 20, 1906, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He grew up in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. As a young boy, he was very active in the Boy Scouts of America. He even became an Eagle Scout at just 13 years old.

Nelson played football in high school and later at Rutgers University. He earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers. In 1930, he also received a law degree from Rutgers School of Law, Newark.

While in college, he earned money by playing the saxophone in a band. He also coached football. Even though he studied law, the Great Depression made him choose music as his full-time career.

Career in entertainment

Music and bandleading

Ozzie and Harriet Nelson in 1936

Ozzie Nelson began his career leading his own band, the Ozzie Nelson Band. He helped his band become famous in 1930. A newspaper called The New York Daily Mirror held a poll to find the most popular band. Ozzie cleverly had his band members collect discarded newspapers and fill out ballots for his band. This trick helped them win the poll.

From the 1930s to the 1940s, Ozzie's band recorded many songs. Their music was very popular. In 1934, his song "Over Somebody Else's Shoulder" became a big hit.

The band had several main singers. Rose Anne Stevens was an early vocalist. Later, Harriet Hilliard became the band's singer. Ozzie's calm singing style and Harriet's lively voice made the band even more popular. In 1935, Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra had a number one hit with "And Then Some." Ozzie also wrote many songs himself, like "Jersey Jive."

In October 1935, Ozzie married Harriet Hilliard, his band's vocalist. They had two sons. Their older son, David, was born in 1936. Their younger son, Ricky, was born in 1940. Both sons later became actors and musicians.

Films and acting

The Nelson family (clockwise from top): David, Ricky, Ozzie, and Harriet, 1952

Ozzie Nelson and his band appeared in several movies in the 1940s. He often had speaking roles, showing his funny side. He also promoted his band by appearing in "soundies." These were short musical films shown in special jukeboxes.

In 1952, the entire Nelson family starred in a movie called Here Come the Nelsons. This film was like a test run for their future TV show.

Radio and television shows

In the 1940s, Ozzie wanted to spend more time with his family. He created his own radio show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. It started in 1944. At first, other actors played his sons. But in 1949, his real sons, David and Ricky, began playing themselves.

In 1952, the show moved to television. The radio version continued for two more years. The last TV episode aired in 1966. The TV show was a huge hit because it showed the real Nelson family. America watched Ozzie and Harriet raise their boys.

Ozzie was very involved in the show. He produced and directed most of the episodes. He also helped write many of them. His brother, Don, was also one of the writers. Ozzie was hands-on with every part of both the radio and TV shows.

In 1973, Ozzie's last TV show, Ozzie's Girls, aired for a year. In this show, Ozzie and Harriet rented their sons' old room to two college girls. The show was about the Nelsons adjusting to living with young women after raising their sons.

Ozzie Nelson has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for his work in television, and the other, shared with Harriet, is for their radio contributions.

Personal life and family

The Nelsons in 1960

Ozzie Nelson married Harriet Hilliard in 1935. They stayed married until Ozzie's death in 1975. They had two sons, David and Ricky. Their grandchildren include actress Tracy Nelson and musicians Matthew and Gunnar Nelson.

Ozzie was very dedicated to his family's show business careers. He wrote about his life in his autobiography, Ozzie, published in 1973.

Later years and death

In his later years, Ozzie Nelson suffered from recurring tumors. He passed away from liver cancer on June 3, 1975. He died at his home in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and sons by his side.

Ozzie Nelson is buried with his wife and son Ricky at Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Selected filmography