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

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Saturday Night Live

The Mike Douglas Show

The Love Boat

What's My Line?

Miss USA

The Ed Sullivan Show

McCloud

All Movies (26)

• Kenny Rogers and Friends2010 · as Self
• The Wrecking Crew2008 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Ricky Nelson Sings2005
• La Classe américaine1993 · as George's Friend (archive footage)
• Death In Hollywood1990
• Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian1984 · as Mr. Christian
• High School U.S.A.1984 · as Principal Pete Kinney
• Men Who Rate a 101980 · as Self
• Three on a Date1978 · as Bob Oakes
• The Shootist1976 · as Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
• Sonic Boom1974 · as Jess of the Van
• Easy to Be Free1973 · as Himself
• The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks1973 · as Self (archive footage)
• Fol-de-Rol1972 · as The Minstrel (as Rick Nelson)
• The Resurrection of Broncho Billy1970 · as Voice Over
• Swing Out, Sweet Land1970 · as Confederate Soldier
• The Over the Hill Gang1969 · as Jeff Rose
• The Movie Orgy1968 · as Self (archive footage)
• On the Flip Side1966 · as Carlos O'Connor
• Love and Kisses1965 · as Buzzy Pringle
• The Wackiest Ship in the Army1960 · as Tommy Hanson
• Disneyland '591959 · as Self
• Rio Bravo1959 · as Colorado Ryan
• The Story of Three Loves1953 · as Young Tommy
• Here Come the Nelsons1952 · as Ricky Nelson
• Ricky Nelson & Fats Domino - Rockin' With Rick and Fats—

All TV Shows (22)

• Solid Gold1980 · as Self
• The Love Boat1977 · as Ted Wilcox
• The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries1977
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• Dinah!1974 · as Self
• Petrocelli1974 · as Country Boy White
• Rock Concert1973 · as Self
• The Streets of San Francisco1972
• Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law1971 · as Vic
• McCloud1970
• The Jim Nabors Hour1969
• The Johnny Cash Show1969 · as Self
• Hondo1967
• Malibu U1967 · as Self - Host
• ABC Stage 671966 · as Carlos O'Connor
• Miss USA1963 · as Self - Performer
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• General Electric Theater1953 · as Lonnie Follett
• The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet1952 · as Ricky
• What's My Line?1950 · as Self - Mystery Guest
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self