Biography for
Frank Nelson (II) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

6 May 1911, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Date of Death

12 September 1986, Hollywood, California, USA (cancer)

Birth Name

Frank Brandon Nelson

Mini Biography

He had one of those instantly identifiable mugs that made you laugh as soon as you saw him. And then he'd open his mouth. Veteran character actor Frank Nelson was here, there and everywhere in the 50s and 60s, usually playing a pop-eyed, hot-tempered foil to the likes of TV's top comedy stars such as Lucille Ball and Jack Benny. Short and chubby, with a neatly-style mustache and voice that dripped with hilarious disdain, Frank's career lasted over six decades. Born in 1911 (the same year as Ms. Ball), Frank started working out at a Denver radio station as an announcer at the age of 15. A strong fixture in "the golden days of radio" with a leading man voice to boot("The Three Musketeers," "Calling All Cars"), he became a charter member (1937) of AFRA (American Federation of Radio Artists) before it became AFTRA (American Federation of Radio and Television Artists). He served as AFTRA's president from 1954 to 1957 and was a guiding force in securing decent pension plans for actors. Such radio shows as "The Great Gildersleeve," "Burns and Allen" and ''Fibber McGee & Molly" made jolly use of his droll, squealing voice and "slow burn" comic takes. A standout in even the tiniest of roles (clerk, neighbor, announcer), Frank tackled many sitcoms in his time, which culminated in his fifteen-year stay as a regular on "The Jack Benny Show" and as a returning guest artist year after year on "I Love Lucy." Married twice to actresses, both Mary Lansing (whom he met on radio) and Veola Vonn appeared on ''Lucy'' and other shows. A well-oiled vocal talent in animation, his voice may be remembered from "The Jetsons" TV series. He died of cancer in 1986.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Spouse

Veola Vonn	(17 January 1970 - 12 September 1986) (his death)
Mary Lansing	(7 January 1933 - ?) (divorced) 2 children

Trade Mark

Usually in his first scene as a guest on a television show, his back would be at the camera and when asked a question would turn around and say "yesssssssssssssssssss!!"

Trivia

He was a regular on "The Jack Benny Program" (1950). He also played Ralph Ramsey on "I Love Lucy" (1951). His signature phrase was a long, drawn-out "Yehhhhssss?".

As a tribute to his place in TV history as a popular and memorable character actor, at least two episodes of "The Simpsons" (1989) have featured his caricature.

Awarded the George Heller Memorial Gold Card, AFTRA's highest honor, in 1958.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was given the "Man of the Year" award by the Rod and Reel Club for landing a 4 lb. 3 oz. trout.

Profiled in "Old-Time Radio Memories" by Mel Simons (BearManor Media).