Frank Nelson

[findline]

I LOVE this man. He's one of the reasons I like the 1950s Jack Benny shows best. I would also LOVE to publish a book on this man. If anyone knows Frank's son, tell him I'd love to put out a book on his dad. Feel free to give him my email, benohmart@yahoo.com. Thanks.

[Yhtapmys]

I LOVE this man. He's one of the reasons I like the 1950s Jack Benny shows best. I would also LOVE to publish a book on this man. If anyone knows Frank's son, tell him I'd love to put out a book on his dad. Feel free to give him my email, benohmart@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Ben, if anyone could do justice to the book, it's you. I really have to buy your book on Daws Butler.

Frank had such an amazing career both off and on the mike. For those reading, here's his obit from the LA Times. I know the paragraphs may be out of order, but this is all I could dredge up using a search engine. The Times used AP as part of its source, as the AP write goes into the fact he had cancer.

Regular on Jack Benny Show Radio and TV Actor Frank Nelson Dies
Times, Sept. 15, 1986
Frank Nelson, a regular on the Jack Benny radio and television shows for more than 30 years and a professional actor for six decades, died Friday at his home in Hollywood after a long illness. He was 75.
Although he was an accomplished dramatic actor and in his early days played leading-man roles, he was best known for his comedic skills, and especially for his work with Jack Benny.
Nelson was a founding member of the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA), which later became the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. He served as president of the union's Los Angeles chapter for 7 1/2 years, and as national president from 1954 to 1957. He was instrumental in creating the union's pension plan for actors, and despite his years-long battle with cancer, remained active professionally and in the union, friends said.
"Frank Nelson was superb in his roles of screwball floorwalkers, doctors and professional men, marking his entrance with an inevitable squeal that came out `Yeeeeeeeees??!'" wrote John Dunning in his "Tune in Yesterday" encyclopedia of old-time radio.
His acting career began in radio at what he called "a rather tender age"—he was 15—the role of a 30-year-old man in a series broadcast from station KOA in Denver.
He came to Hollywood in 1929 and immediately found work in local radio dramatic shows, usually playing the leading man. His first sponsored national show was "Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel," starring starring Groucho and Chico Marx.
Besides his regular appearances with Jack Benny, Nelson performed a broad range of roles on countless radio and television shows, including such hits as the "Burns and Allen Show," "Fibber Magee and Molly," "The Bing Crosby Show," "The Eddie Cantor Show," "The Bob Hope Show," "Abbott and Costello" and "The Great Gildersleeve."
AFTRA national President Frank Maxwell said Friday that Nelson "fought fiercely for the things he believed in. . . . His devotion to the welfare of his fellow members will leave its stamp on AFTRA for as long as the union lasts."
Nelson is survived by his wife, actress Veola Vonn; son Doug Nelson, and daughter, Bonnie Esther. Funeral services will be private.

Yhtapmys

P.S. I just realised in writing this that when I threw out a pile of OTR cassettes the other day, I dumped out a Frank Nelson interview someone graciously had sent me ten years ago. As they say in the cartoons .. "&@#$%S@!!"

[findline]

I sure appreciate the compliment. Alas, I just don't have time to write books myself these days, that's why I try to find those most experienced to do these important works. My head swells to say I'm responsible for getting Alan Reed and Jerry Colonna books out there. I hope Frank Nelson will be the same sometime!