David Nelson dies at 74; last surviving member of the TV sitcom family

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-david-nelson-20110112,0,171446,full.story



David Nelson, the elder son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and the last surviving member of the family that became an American institution in the 1950s and '60s as the stars of the classic TV sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," died Tuesday. He was 74.

Nelson died at his Century City home of complications from colon cancer, said publicist Dale Olson.

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" began on radio in 1944, focusing on the home life of bandleader Ozzie Nelson and his vocalist wife, Harriet Hilliard.

In 1949, the popular show became a true family affair when 12-year-old David and 8-year-old Ricky replaced the child actors who had been portraying them on radio.

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" moved to television three years later, debuting on ABC in October 1952.

When the series ended in 1966 after 435 episodes, it had become the longest-running family situation comedy in TV history — as well as serving as the launch pad and showcase for teen idol Rick Nelson's singing career.
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[timtom]

1. I am saddened.

Wasn't a big fan of the show, but loved them anyway for who they were.

[scarletwoman]

3. Watched it pretty faithfully for a few years - little girl crush on Ricky. Makes me sad, too.

I honestly can't remember much about it, just that they all seemed like such nice people.

[Raine]

2. Very sad news

I'm very sorry to hear this.

[napi21]

4. RIP Davod. I too was a faithful biewer of the show. Sure makes me realize

how old I am!

[hlthe2b]

5. End of an era for sure...

RIP, David

[Tripod]

6. How very sad.

It must have been tough for him, being the only surviving member of his famous family. Thanks for posting this. :(

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. A Lot of the Shows are on Public Domain

Including Rick's first rock and roll gig with the orginal TV Kodak commercials.
You can view them here to see what they were like.

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Ozzie%20and%20Harriet%20AND%20collection%3Amoviesandfilms

RIP David

[dhill926]

9. thanks a lot for this....

providing some great late night nostalgia....

[pamela]

8. He was related to me.

When I was a kid, my Grandfather Nelson died and it was discovered that he was related to Ozzie's father. We took great pride in being related to Ricky. When Ricky's kids got famous as the Nelsons I was in a record store with my cousin's daughter and she said "We're related to them!" I smiled because it was such a multi-generational thing- my Mom's generation bragged about being related to Ozzie, with my generation it was Ricky and then with the next it was The Nelsons.

RIP cousin David.

[Cirque du So-What]

10. Me too

but through Harriet's side...her grandmother Sarah Ann Rantz.

[SoCalDem]

11. David was always my favorite..

Ricky got all the attention, but I always liked David:)

[SoCalDem]

12. Wow.. wikipedia has a tidbit from the Nelson Family I never heard about

Rick's wife...Kristin...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Nelson

In 1976, Kristin and 17-year-old Ronald Reagan, Jr. were discovered having sex in his parents' bed by Secret Service agents.

[The Straight Story]

13. kick (nt)

[Bandit]

14. Use to be one of my favorite TV shows.

I am older than dirt though..

[sinkingfeeling]

15. I always had a crush on David. Ignored Ricky.

[xchrom]

16. Awww - such fond memories of watching that show. Sad. Nt