In late 1941, Nelson moved with his parents from Tenafly, New Jersey, to Los Angeles, California.

[2] He attended Hollywood High School, balancing his studies, playing on the football team and his TV work.

[3] Nelson's acting career started in 1949 when he and his brother began playing themselves on their parents' radio series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which lasted until 1954.

[1] From the 1970s through 1990 Nelson had roles in Smash-Up on Interstate 5, Up In Smoke, The Love Boat, High School U.S.A., and A Family for Joe.

[2] Nelson died on January 11, 2011, in Century City, California, of complications of colon cancer.