David Oswald Nelson  (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011)

David Nelson was a actor, director, and producer. He was the older son of bandleader-
TV actor Ozzie Nelson and singer Harriet Hilliard and older brother of singer Ricky
Nelson. David was the last surviving member of the Nelsons, radio and TV’s Ozzie
and Harriet Nelson family.

The Nelsons

Dawn Well with costar Bob Denver in Gilligan’s Island

Actress Dawn Wells is best known for her portrayal of Mary Ann Summers
on the CBS sitcom Gilligan’s Island (1964-1967).  In 1959, Wells was crowned
Miss Nevada and represented her state in the 1960 Miss America pageant
in Atlantic City. 

Erin Marie Moran is best known for the role of Joanie Cunningham on
ABC’s Happy Days (1974-1984) and the spinoff Joanie Loves Chachie
also on ABC (1982-1983). Moran appeared in the CBS television series
Daktari (1966-1969). She made her feature-film debut in How Sweet It Is!
with James Garner and Debbie Reynolds in 1968.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

I Love Lucy ran from Monday October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957. The black-
and-white series aired on the CBS television network. I love Lucy was the
most watched show in America in four of its six seasons, and won five Emmy
Awards and received numerous nominations.The show is still syndicated in
many languages around the world.

 
The Nelson family from left: Ozzie, David, Harriet and Ricky 

The family sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, created by Ozzie Nelson, 
began on the CBS radio network on Sunday October 8, 1944 with the final show
airing on NBC Radio June 18, 1954. The Nelsons’ sons, David and Ricky, did not 
join the cast until the radio show’s fifth year on February 20, 1949. Prior to that, 
the two boys were played by professional actors. The original announcer of the
show was Jack Bailey (below). The music was by Billy May and Ozzie Nelson.  

Jack Bailey