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Ricky Nelson (I) (1940–1985)

Actor | Soundtrack | Composer

Trivia:

Johnny Cash wrote the song "Restless Kid" for him to sing in Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo. However, music director Dimitri Tiomkin insisted that Nelson perform the folk song "Cindy" and Dimitri Tiomkin's own "My Rifle, My Pony and Me". Johnny Cash's evocative "Restless Kid", which sums up Ricky's Rio Bravo character "Colorado" in less than two minutes... See more trivia »

Born:

Eric Hilliard Nelson
in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA

Died:

(age 45) in De Kalb, Texas, USA
Still of Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo Ricky and David Nelson circa 1960 Still of John Wayne, Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo
22 photos | 4 videos | 160 news articles »

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Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (24 titles)
1984 High School U.S.A. (TV movie)
Principal Pete Kinney
 
1981 CBS Library (TV series)
Skeeter
– A Tale of Four Wishes (1981) … Skeeter (as Rick Nelson)
 
1978 Three on a Date (TV movie)
Bob Oakes (as Rick Nelson)
 
1978 The Love Boat (TV series)
Ted Wilcox
– Memories of You/Computerman/Parlez Vous? (1978) … Ted Wilcox (as Rick Nelson)
 
1977 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (TV series)
Tony Eagle
– The Flickering Torch Mystery (1977) … Tony Eagle (as Rick Nelson)
 
1977 Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Sonny Blue
– A Hand for Sonny Blue (1977) … Sonny Blue
 
1974 Petrocelli (TV series)
Country Boy White
– Music to Die By (1974) … Country Boy White (as Rick Nelson)
 
1972-1974 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (TV series)
Gar Kellerman / Vic
– A Foreigner Among Us (1974) … Vic
– Victim in Shadow (1972) … Gar Kellerman (as Rick Nelson)
 
1974 Sonic Boom (short)
 
1973 The Streets of San Francisco (TV series)
William T. 'Billy' Jeffers
– Harem (1973) … William T. 'Billy' Jeffers (as Rick Nelson)
 
1972 McCloud (TV series)
Jimmy Roy Taylor
– The New Mexican Connection (1972) … Jimmy Roy Taylor (as Rick Nelson)
 
1972 Fol-de-Rol (TV movie)
The Minstrel (as Rick Nelson)
 
1970 Swing Out, Sweet Land (TV movie)
Confederate Soldier
 
1970 The Resurrection of Broncho Billy (short)
Voice Over
 
1969 The Over-the-Hill Gang (TV movie)
Jeff Rose
 
1967 Hondo (TV series)
Jesse James
– Hondo and the Judas (1967) … Jesse James
 
1966 ABC Stage 67 (TV series)
Carlos O'Connor
– On the Flip Side (1966) … Carlos O'Connor
 
1952-1966 The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (TV series)
Ricky Nelson / Rick / Ricky / …
– The Game Room (1966) … Rick (credit only) (as Rick Nelson)
– Ozzie, the Babysitter (1966) … Rick (as Rick Nelson)
– Dave's Other Office (1966) … Rick (as Rick Nelson)
– Rick's Assistant (1966) … Rick (as Rick Nelson)
– Waiting for Joe (1966) … Ricky Nelson
See all 432 episodes »
 
1965 Love and Kisses
Buzzy
 
1961 G.E. True Theater (TV series)
Lonnie Follett
– The Wish Book (1961) … Lonnie Follett
 
1960 The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Ens. Tommy J. Hanson
 
1959 Rio Bravo
Colorado Ryan
 
1953 The Story of Three Loves
Tommy: aged 11 (segment "Mademoiselle")
 
1952 Here Come the Nelsons
Ricky Nelson
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (37 titles)
2011 Voorhees (Born on a Friday) (short) (performer: "A Teenager's Romance")
 
2011 Rock & Chips (TV series)
– The Frog and the Pussycat (2011) (performer: "Never Be Anyone Else But You")
 
2009-2010 Fringe (TV series)
– Olivia. In the Lab. With the Revolver (2010) (performer: "Travelin' Man" - uncredited)
– Night of Desirable Objects (2009) (performer: "Poor Little Fool" - uncredited)
 
2009 Lokakuun valoa (TV movie) (performer: "Raincoat in the River" / as Rick Nelson)
 
1979-2008 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
– Paul Rudd/Beyoncé (2008) (writer: "Garden Party" - uncredited / performer: "Garden Party" - uncredited)
– Ricky Nelson/Judy Collins (1979) (performer: "Hello Mary Lou" - uncredited, "Travelin' Man" - uncredited, "Fools Rush In" - uncredited, "Dream Lover" - uncredited)
 
2008 Lymelife (performer: "My Rifle, My Pony and Me")
 
2008 Garden Party (writer: "Garden Party" / performer: "Travelin' Man")
 
2007 You Kill Me (performer: "Lonesome Town")
 
2007 Because I Said So (performer: "That's Alright Momma" / as Rick Nelson)
 
2007 Jukebox Rock 'n' Roll Vol. 1 (video) (performer: "Travelin' Man")
 
2006 Arthur and the Invisibles (performer: "Lonesome Town")
 
2005 7th Heaven (TV series)
– It's Late (2005) (performer: "Young Emotions" - uncredited)
 
2005 The Wendell Baker Story (writer: "Garden Party" / as Rick Nelson / performer: "Garden Party" / as Rick Nelson)
 
2004 Cold Case (TV series)
– The Boy in the Box (2004) (performer: "Poor Little Fool" - uncredited, "Lonesome Town" - uncredited, "Sweeter Than You" - uncredited)
 
2003 Bad Santa (performer: "Jingle Bells" 1857)
 
2002 The Sopranos (TV series)
– Pie-o-My (2002) (performer: "My Rifle, My Pony and Me")
– For All Debts Public and Private (2002) (performer: "My Rifle, My Pony and Me")
 
2001 61* (TV movie) (performer: "Hello, Mary Lou Goodbye Heart")
 
2000 Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (TV documentary) (performer: "I'm Walkin")
 
2000 Nurse Betty (performer: "Poor Little Fool")
 
1997 U Turn (performer: "Lonesome Town")
 
1994 Rebel Highway (TV series)
– Runaway Daughters (1994) (performer: "Stood up", "Be Bop Baby")
 
1994 Pulp Fiction (performer: "Lonesome Town")
 
1991 Dogfight (performer: "TRAVELIN' MAN")
 
1989 Heavy Petting (documentary) (performer: "Be Bop Baby", "The Girl I Love", "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" / as Rick Nelson)
 
1988 36 fillette (performer: "I'll Walk Alone")
 
1987 Prom Night II (performer: "Hello Mary Lou")
 
1974 Petrocelli (TV series)
– Music to Die By (1974) (performer: "One Night Stand", "Life Stream" / as Rick Nelson)
 
1974 Rock Concert (TV series)
– Episode #1.12 (1974) (performer: "Garden Party", "My Babe", "One Night Stand", "Honky Tonk Woman", "Lonesome Town", "Windfall", "She Belongs to Me", "Someone to Love", "Believe What You Say")
 
1972 Fol-de-Rol (TV movie) (performer: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", "Life")
 
1970 The Johnny Cash Show (TV series)
– Episode #1.30 (1970) (writer: "Come On In" / "Easy To Be Free")
 
1952-1966 The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (TV series)
– Ozzie, the Babysitter (1966) (performer: "Fire Breathing Dragon" - uncredited)
– Ozzie-a-Go-Go (1966) (performer: "Your Kind Of Lovin'")
– Wally's Traffic Ticket (1966) (performer: "Your Kind Of Lovin'")
– The Ghost Town (1965) (performer: "I Catch Myself Crying" - uncredited, "Truck Driving Man" - uncredited)
– The Equestrian (1965) (performer: "Home On The Range" - uncredited)
See all 63 episodes »
 
1966 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
– Episode #19.19 (1966) (performer: "Your Kind of Lovin'" - uncredited, "Fire-Breathin' Dragon" - uncredited)
 
1965 Shindig! (TV series)
– Episode #2.18 (1965) (performer: "Live and Learn", "I Catch Myself Crying")
 
1965 Hollywood a Go Go (TV series)
– Episode #1.44 (1965) (performer: "Love and Kisses", "Our Own Funny Way" / as Rick Nelson)
 
1965 Love and Kisses (performer: "Love and Kisses", "Say You Love Me", "Come Out Dancin'")
 
1964 Scorpio Rising (short) (performer: "Fools Rush In" - uncredited)
 
1959 Rio Bravo (performer: "My Rifle, My Pony, and Me", "Cindy" - uncredited)
 
Show ShowComposer (1 title)
Show ShowSelf (30 titles)
1985 Solid Gold (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #6.2 (1985) … Himself
 
1985 Ricky Nelson & Fats Domino: Live at the Universal Amphitheatre (TV special)
 
1985 Our Time (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.1 (1985) … Himself
 
1981 Tomorrow Coast to Coast (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 22 February 1981 (1981) … Himself
 
1980 Men Who Rate a 10 (TV movie)
Himself
 
1979 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Himself - Host / Various
– Ricky Nelson/Judy Collins (1979) … Himself - Host/Various (as Rick Nelson)
 
1979 Comeback (TV series)
Himself
– Ricky Nelson (1979) … Himself
 
1978 The Midnight Special (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #6.23 (1978) … Himself
 
1978 The 5th Annual American Music Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1978 ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration (TV movie)
Himself (as Rick Nelson)
 
1975 Dinah! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.152 (1975) … Himself
 
1974 Rock Concert (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.12 (1974) … Himself
 
1973 Easy to Be Free
Himself
 
1972 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 13 September 1972 (1972) … Himself
 
1971 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.91 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 Headshop (TV series)
Himself
 
1970 The Jim Nabors Hour (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.4 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 The Everly Brothers Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.9 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 The Johnny Cash Show (TV series)
Himself - Singer
– Episode #1.30 (1970) … Himself - Singer
 
1970 Get It Together (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 7 March 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1967-1969 The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #4.81 (1969) … Himself
– Episode #4.51 (1969) … Himself
– Episode #4.42 (1969) … Himself
– Episode #3.248 (1969) … Himself (as Rick Nelson)
– Episode #2.26 (1967) … Himself
 
1969 Della (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.100 (1969) … Himself
 
1967 Malibu U. (TV series)
Himself - Host
– Episode #1.6 (1967) … Himself - Host
– Episode #1.2 (1967) … Himself - Host
– Episode #1.1 (1967) … Himself - Host
– Episode #1.4 … Himself - Host
 
1967 The Mike Douglas Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 1 May 1967 (1967) … Himself
 
1965-1966 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Himself - Singer / Rick Nelson
– Episode #19.19 (1966) … Himself - Singer (as Rick Nelson)
– Episode #18.19 (1965) … Rick Nelson
 
1965 Shindig! (TV series)
Himself - Singer
– Episode #2.18 (1965) … Himself - Singer (as Rick Nelson)
 
1965 Hollywood a Go Go (TV series)
Himself - Singer
– Episode #1.44 (1965) … Himself - Singer (as Rick Nelson)
 
1959 What's My Line? (TV series)
Himself - Mystery Guest
– Episode dated 30 August 1959 (1959) … Himself - Mystery Guest
 
1959 Disneyland '59 (TV documentary)
Himself (as Ricky)
 
1959 The Juke Box Jury (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.1 (1959) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (15 titles)
2008 The O'Reilly Factor (TV series)
 
2008 The Wrecking Crew (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Jukebox Rock 'n' Roll Vol. 1 (video)
Himself
 
2005 Ricky Nelson Sings (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Saturday Night Live: The Best of Gilda Radner (video)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2001 Behind the Music (TV series documentary)
 
1998 Biography (TV series documentary)
 
1993 La classe américaine (TV movie)
L'ami de George
 
1992 What Happened? (TV series)
 
1992 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
 
1991 Idols (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1991 Technicolormies (documentary)
 
1976 The Shootist
Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (uncredited)
 
1973 The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1965 The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (TV series)
 

Related Videos

Newhart: Season 1: Episode 16 -- The Loudons’ plans to visit New York are thwarted when Kirk checks into the hospital, leaving Larry, Darryl and Darryl in charge of the café. Rio Bravo -- A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a cripple, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy. Here Come the Nelsons -- When Ozzie tries to get some publicity for an ad agency, David and Ricky get mixed up with gangsters.
See all 4 »
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

Recordings (notable singles): "I'm Walking"/"A Teenager's Romance" (Verve, 1957); "Be-Bop Baby"/"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" (Imperial, 1957); "Stood Up"/"Waitin' In School" (Imperial, 1957); "Believe What You Say"/"My... See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Biographical Movie  | 2 Print Biographies  | 4 Articles  | See more »

Official Sites:

Ricky Nelson Official Site | See more »

Alternate Names:

Eric 'Ricky' Nelson | Rick Nelson | Ricky

Height:

6' (1.83 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

A career is a series of comebacks. See more »

Trivia:

Johnny Cash wrote the song "Restless Kid" for him to sing in Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo. However, music director Dimitri Tiomkin insisted that Nelson perform the folk song "Cindy" and Dimitri Tiomkin's own "My Rifle, My Pony and Me". Johnny Cash's evocative "Restless Kid", which sums up Ricky's Rio Bravo character "Colorado" in less than two minutes... See more »

Trademark:

He slowly bats his eyes in a longing, 'come hither' fashion while singing See more »

Star Sign:

Taurus