Ricky Nelson
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.
Photos
Films (26)
Kenny Rogers and Friends
2010 · Self
The Wrecking Crew
2008 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Ricky Nelson Sings
2005
La Classe américaine
1993 · George's Friend (archive footage)
Death In Hollywood
1990 · Self (archive footage)
Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian
1984 · Mr. Christian
High School U.S.A.
1984 · Principal Pete Kinney
Men Who Rate a 10
1980 · Self
Three on a Date
1978 · Bob Oakes
The Shootist
1976 · Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Sonic Boom
1974 · Jess of the Van
Easy to Be Free
1973 · Himself
The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks
1973 · Self (archive footage)
Fol-de-Rol
1972 · The Minstrel (as Rick Nelson)
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy
1970 · Voice Over
Swing Out, Sweet Land
1970 · Confederate Soldier
The Over the Hill Gang
1969 · Jeff Rose
The Movie Orgy
1968 · Self (archive footage)
On the Flip Side
1966 · Carlos O'Connor
Love and Kisses
1965 · Buzzy Pringle
The Wackiest Ship in the Army
1960 · Tommy Hanson
Disneyland '59
1959 · Self
Rio Bravo
1959 · Colorado Ryan
The Story of Three Loves
1953 · Young Tommy
Here Come the Nelsons
1952 · Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson & Fats Domino - Rockin' With Rick and Fats
Séries (21)
Solid Gold
1980 · Self
La croisière s'amuse
1977 · Ted Wilcox
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
1977
Saturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Host
Dinah!
1974 · Self
Petrocelli
1974 · Country Boy White
Rock Concert
1973 · Self
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law
1971 · Vic
McCloud
1970 · Jimmy Roy Taylor
The Jim Nabors Hour
1969
The Johnny Cash Show
1969 · Self
Hondo
1967
Malibu U
1967 · Self - Host
ABC Stage 67
1966 · Carlos O'Connor
Miss USA
1963 · Self - Performer
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Self
General Electric Theater
1953 · Lonnie Follett
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
1952 · Ricky
What's My Line?
1950 · Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self