Ricky Nelson
Biography
Ricky Nelson was an American musician and actor who began performing as a boy on his family's long-running radio and television sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, to entertainers Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, he started recording in 1957 and became a popular singer; Poor Little Fool reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. The Story of Three Loves (1953) gave him an early film part, and he later played a gunslinger in Howard Hawks's western Rio Bravo (1959). He also co-starred in The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) alongside Jack Lemmon, and Rio Bravo brought him a Golden Globe nomination in the Most Promising Male Newcomer category. He turned toward country rock in his twenties, formed the Stone Canyon Band, and in 1972 scored a final Top 40 hit with Garden Party. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 1987.
45years old at death
- Born Teaneck
- Died Dallas
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Eric Hilliard Nelson (birth name)Also credited as Rick Nelson
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 7 years1953 to 1960
Every film, newest first
- 1960The Wackiest Ship in the ArmyIMDb rating 6.3
- 1959Rio BravoIMDb rating 7.9
- 1953The Story of Three LovesIMDb rating 6.7
Genres
Share
Did you know?!
A first
On August 4, 1958, Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" reached the top spot on Billboard's newly instituted Hot 100 singles chart, and it sold over two million copies.
About the name
On May 8, 1961, which was his 21st birthday, Nelson made an official change to his recording name, going from "Ricky Nelson" to "Rick Nelson".
Behind the camera
In 1972, Nelson got back into the Top 40 one last time with "Garden Party," which he wrote in disgust after the audience booed at a 1971 Richard Nader Oldies Concert at Madison Square Garden.
Ricky Nelson movies on Netflix
Worked with
Ricky Nelson shares two films with Richard Anderson, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Richard Anderson's page
Bess Flowers's page
John Wayne's page
Ward Bond's page
James Mason's page
Kirk Douglas's page
All films by Howard Hawks
Richard MurphyDirector, 1 film, 1960
All films by Richard Murphy
Gottfried ReinhardtDirector, 1 film, 1953
All films by Gottfried Reinhardt
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1987 to 2019.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 2019 | New Jersey Hall of Fame (posthumous) | Won | |
| 1987 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (posthumous) | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.