Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson Headshot

Actor • Musician • Songwriter

Birth Date: May 8, 1940

Death Date: December 31, 1985

Birth Place: Teaneck, New Jersey

Spouses: Kristin Nelson

Parents: Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson

Children: Tracy Nelson, Gunnar Nelson, Matthew Nelson

Siblings: David Nelson

Ricky Nelson grew up in the public spotlight and is widely considered to be the first teen idol. He began his career at the age of nine performing along with his older brother and his parents on the radio sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet," which was spun-off to television in 1952 where it ran for 14 seasons. 1952 also marked the year of his film debut with "Here Come the Nelsons." He had a second movie role, without his family this time, in the 1953 musical romantic-drama "The Story of Three Loves," which starred Kirk Douglas. By 1957, he was already a major star when he embarked on a hugely successful singing career. He had the first number-one song on the newly created Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, and from then until 1973, had 53 songs place on the chart. His starring role, alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin, in the 1959 western "Rio Bravo" earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Male Newcomer. He went on from there to star in the comedies "Love and Kisses" in 1965, and "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" in 1960, but mainly focused on television and his music career. He later could be seen on TV series like "McCloud" in 1972 and "The Love Boat" in 1978, as well as in TV movies like 1974's "Three on a Date" and "High School U.S.A.," where he made his final acting performance as the school principal in 1984.

Credits

The Best of The Ed Sullivan Show

Self
Show
2023

Ricky Nelson: Fire Breathin' Dragon

Music Performer
Show
2021

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Revisited

Actor
Show
2008

Ricky Nelson Sings!

Music Performer
Show
2005

High School, U.S.A.

Actor
Pete Kinney
Show
1984

The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew MysteriesStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Petrocelli

Guest Star
Series
1974

The Streets of San FranciscoStream

Guest Star
William T. 'Billy' Jeffers
Series
1972

McCloud

Guest Star
Series
1970

Resurrection of Broncho Billy

Voice
Movie
1970

The Johnny Cash Show

Music Performer
Show
1969

Malibu U.

Actor
Host
Show
1967

Love and Kisses

Actor
Buzzy Pringle
Movie
1965

The Wackiest Ship in the ArmyStream

Actor
Ens. Tommy J. Hanson
Movie
1961

Rio BravoStream

Actor
Colorado Ryan
Movie
1959
96%

Five Stars in Springtime

Actor
guest
Show
1957

The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietStream

Actor
Series
1952

Here Come the Nelsons

Actor
Ricky Nelson
Movie
1952

What's My Line?Stream

Guest
Game Show
1950