No photo available. Represent Nelson Riddle? Add or change photos at IMDbPro
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Up 2,487 this week

Nelson Riddle (1921–1985)

Music Department | Composer | Actor

Versatile Ameican arranger/conducter who started as a trombonist with several big bands, including Tommy Dorsey. In a long, distinguished career, he not only scored numerous films and television shows, but made many now-legendary recordings in collaboration with such people as Rosemary Clooney, Nat 'King' Cole... See full bio »

Born:

Nelson Smock Riddle Jr.
in Oradell, New Jersey, USA

Died:

(age 64) in Los Angeles, California, USA
12 videos | 12 news articles »

Quick Links:

Related News

How Classical Music Shaped Sondheim’s Songs
23 April 2012 9:08 AM, PDT | Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Portrait of the artist: Sarah Lancashire, actor
15 May 2011 4:05 PM, PDT | The Guardian - TV News
Luhrmann Talks The Great Gatsby
3 October 2010 8:02 AM, PDT | WeAreMovieGeeks.com
See all 12 related articles »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

iPhoneiPadAndroidAndroid TabletWindows Phone
Won Oscar. Another 15 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideMusic Department (66 titles)
1982-1984 Newhart (TV series) (composer: additional music - 18 episodes)
– Happy Trails to You (1984) (composer: additional music)
– Vermont Today (1984) (composer: additional music)
– Leave It to the Beavers (1984) (composer: additional music)
– Go, Grandma, Go (1984) (composer: additional music)
– Kirk Ties One On (1984) (composer: additional music)
See all 18 episodes »
 
1984 Linda Ronstadt in Concert: What's New (video) (music arranger)
 
1980 Rough Cut (conductor, music adaptor)
 
1978 Goin' Coconuts (conductor)
 
1978 Project U.F.O. (TV series) (composer: theme music - 1 episode)
– Sighting 4016: The Pipeline Incident (1978) (composer: theme music)
 
1978 The 50th Annual Academy Awards (TV special) (musical director)
 
Emergency! (TV series) (composer: theme music - 44 episodes, 1972-1977) (composer: title theme - 30 episodes, 1973-1977)
– Limelight (1977) (composer: title theme)
– Hypochondri-Cap (1977) (composer: title theme)
– Upward and Onward (1977) (composer: title theme)
– All Night Long (1977) (composer: title theme)
– Isolation (1977) (composer: title theme)
See all 74 episodes »
 
1977 The 4th Annual American Music Awards (TV special) (musical director)
 
1977 That's Action (documentary) (music supervisor)
 
1976 City of Angels (TV series) (composer: theme music - 13 episodes)
– Match Point (1976) (composer: theme music)
– The Bloodshot Eye (1976) (composer: theme music)
– Say Goodbye to Yesterday (1976) (composer: theme music)
– The Castle of Dreams (1976) (composer: theme music)
– A Sudden Silence (1976) (composer: theme music)
See all 13 episodes »
 
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (documentary) (composer: new sequences - uncredited, music arranged by: new sequences, music conducted by: new sequences)
 
1976 John Denver and Friend (TV special) (musical director)
 
1975 Caribe (TV series) (composer: theme music - 13 episodes)
– Assault on the Calavera (1975) (composer: theme music)
– The Assassin (1975) (composer: theme music)
– The Patriots (1975) (composer: theme music)
– Counterfeit Killer (1975) (composer: theme music)
– One Second to Doom (1975) (composer: theme music)
See all 13 episodes »
 
1974 The Great Gatsby (composer: additional music, conductor, music arranger, music supervisor)
 
1973 The Helen Reddy Show (TV series) (orchestra leader)
 
1973 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to John Ford (TV special documentary) (musical director)
 
1972 The Julie Andrews Hour (TV series) (musical director - 1 episode)
– Episode #1.2 (1972) (musical director)
 
1971-1972 The D.A. (TV series) (composer: theme music - 13 episodes)
– The People versus Boley (1972) (composer: theme music)
– The People versus Walsh (1971) (composer: theme music)
– The People versus Whitehead (1971) (composer: theme music)
– The People versus Nelson (1971) (composer: theme music)
– The People versus Howard (1971) (composer: theme music)
See all 13 episodes »
 
1971 The CBS Newcomers (TV series) (musical director)
 
1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (conductor, music arranger, music supervisor)
 
1969 Paint Your Wagon (conductor)
 
1969 The Maltese Bippy (conductor)
 
1967-1968 Tarzan (TV series) (composer: theme music - 21 episodes, 1967-1968) (conductor - 21 episodes, 1967-1968)
– Alex the Great (1968) (composer: theme music, conductor)
– Trina (1968) (composer: theme music, conductor)
– Rendevouz for Revenge (1968) (composer: theme music, conductor)
– Jungle Ransom (1968) (composer: theme music, conductor)
– End of a Challenge (1968) (composer: theme music, conductor)
See all 21 episodes »
 
1968 ...And Debbie Makes Six (TV movie) (musical director)
 
1967 The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (TV series) (musical director - 1 episode)
– Episode #2.13 (1967) (musical director)
 
1967 Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim (TV movie) (music arranger, musical director)
 
1967 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (conductor, music supervisor)
 
1966 El Dorado (conductor)
 
1966 Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music Part II (TV movie) (musical director)
 
1965 Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music (TV movie) (musical director)
 
1965 Red Line 7000 (conductor)
 
1965 Marriage on the Rocks (conductor)
 
1964-1965 The Rogues (TV series) (composer: theme music - 30 episodes)
– A Daring Step Backward (1965) (composer: theme music)
– Mr. White's Christmas (1965) (composer: theme music)
– Grave Doubts (1965) (composer: theme music - uncredited)
– Wherefore Art Thou, Harold? (1965) (composer: theme music - uncredited)
– Our Men in Marawat (1965) (composer: theme music)
See all 30 episodes »
 
1964 Profiles in Courage (TV series) (composer: theme music)
 
1964 Robin and the 7 Hoods (conductor)
 
Route 66 (TV series) (composer: theme music - 116 episodes, 1960-1964) (conductor - 16 episodes, 1960-1963)
– Where There's a Will, There's a Way: Part 2 (1964) (composer: theme music)
– Where There's a Will, There's a Way: Part 1 (1964) (composer: theme music)
– Follow the White Dove with the Broken Wing (1964) (composer: theme music)
– This Is Going to Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You (1964) (composer: theme music)
– Who in His Right Mind Needs a Nice Girl (1964) (composer: theme music)
See all 116 episodes »
 
The Untouchables (TV series) (composer: theme music - 103 episodes, 1959-1963) (composer: themes - 15 episodes, 1961-1962)
– A Taste for Pineapple (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Line of Fire (1963) (composer: theme music)
– The Torpedo (1963) (composer: theme music)
– The Jazz Man (1963) (composer: theme music)
– The Charlie Argos Story (1963) (composer: theme music)
See all 118 episodes »
 
Naked City (TV series) (composer: theme music - 11 episodes, 1962-1963) (conductor - 1 episode, 1962)
– Color Schemes Like Never Before (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Carrier (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Stop the Parade! A Baby Is Crying! (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Howard Running Bear Is a Turtle (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Bringing Far Places Together (1963) (composer: theme music)
See all 12 episodes »
 
1962-1963 Sam Benedict (TV series) (composer: theme music - 28 episodes)
– Season for Vengeance (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Of Rusted Cannons and Fallen Sparrows (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Read No Evil (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Accomplice (1963) (composer: theme music)
– Seventeen Gypsies and a Sinner Named Charlie (1963) (composer: theme music)
See all 28 episodes »
 
1962 Lolita (conductor)
 
1960 Ocean's Eleven (conductor)
 
1960 Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley (TV special) (musical director)
 
1960 Can-Can (conductor, music arranger)
 
1959 Li'l Abner (conductor)
 
1959 Bing Crosby and Dean Martin Present High Hopes (TV movie) (musical director)
 
1959 Never Steal Anything Small (music arranger - uncredited)
 
1958 St. Louis Blues (conductor, music arranger)
 
1958 Merry Andrew (conductor, music adaptor)
 
1958 The Girl Most Likely (conductor, music arranger)
 
1957 Pal Joey (music adaptation, music arranger)
 
1957 The Frank Sinatra Show (TV series) (musical director)
 
1957 The Joker Is Wild (music arranger: songs)
 
1957 The Pajama Game (orchestrator)
 
1956 Accused of Murder (composer: stock music - uncredited)
 
1956 The Nat King Cole Show (TV series) (conductor)
 
1956 High Society (orchestrator)
 
1956 The Rosemary Clooney Show (TV series) (orchestra director - 1 episode)
– Episode #1.7 (1956) (orchestra director)
 
1956 Autumn Leaves (orchestrator - uncredited)
 
1956 A Kiss Before Dying (orchestrator)
 
1956 Carousel (orchestration)
 
1955 Guys and Dolls (orchestrator)
 
1955 Producers' Showcase (TV series) (musical director - 1 episode, 1955) (orchestrator - 1 episode, 1955)
– Our Town (1955) (musical director, orchestrator)
 
1955 This Is Your Music (TV series) (conductor - 1 episode, 1955) (music arranger - 1 episode, 1955)
– A Salute to Johnny Mercer (1955) (conductor, music arranger)
 
1954 Satins and Spurs (TV movie) (arrangements)
 
1953 The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (composer: additional music - uncredited)
 
1953 All Ashore (music arranger)
 
Show ShowComposer (88 titles)
1985 International Championship of Magic (TV special)
 
1984 Chattanooga Choo Choo
 
1983 All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra (TV movie)
 
1983 Newhart (TV series)
– Lady & the Tramps (1983)
 
1982-1983 Matt Houston (TV series)
– The Beverly Hills Social Club (1983)
– The Yacht Club Murders (1983)
– The Rock and the Hard Place (1983)
– Killing Isn't Everything (1982)
– Stop the Presses (1982)
 
1982 All-Star Party for Carol Burnett (TV movie)
 
1982 Cagney & Lacey (TV series)
– Better Than Equal (1982)
– Suffer the Children (1982)
– Street Scene (1982)
– Beyond the Golden Door (1982)
– Pop Used to Work Chinatown (1982)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1982 Help Wanted: Male (TV movie)
 
1981 Margin for Murder (TV movie)
 
1981 Harper Valley (TV series)
– Bad Day at Harper Valley (1981)
– Stella and Howard (1981)
– A Tree Grows in Harper Valley (1981)
 
1980 Rough Cut
 
1980 Rascal Dazzle
 
1979 Guyana: Cult of the Damned
 
1974-1978 Barnaby Jones (TV series)
– A Frame for Murder (1978)
– Prisoner of Deceit (1977)
– Double Vengeance (1975)
– Blueprint for a Caper (1974)
 
1978 Goin' Coconuts
 
1978 A Tribute to Neil Simon (TV movie)
 
1978 Harper Valley P.T.A.
 
1978 CHiPs (TV series)
– Vintage '54 (1978)
 
1978 The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV documentary)
 
1977 An All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (TV documentary)
 
1977 Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue (TV mini-series)
 
1977 The Love Boat (TV series)
– A Tasteful Affair/Oh, Dale!/The Main Event (1977)
 
1977 The November Plan (TV movie)
 
1977 A Circle of Children (TV movie)
 
1977 Seventh Avenue (TV mini-series)
 
1976 An All-Star Tribute to John Wayne (TV documentary)
 
1976 How to Break Up a Happy Divorce (TV movie)
 
1976 America at the Movies (documentary)
 
1976 City of Angels (TV series)
 
1972-1976 Emergency! (TV series)
– Emergency! the Wedsworth-Townsend Act: Part 2 (1976)
– Emergency! the Wedsworth-Townsend Act: Part 1 (1975)
– Frequency (1973)
– Audit (1973)
– Rip-Off (1973)
See all 33 episodes »
 
1975 A Lucille Ball Special Starring Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason (TV movie)
 
1974-1975 Medical Center (TV series)
– Two Against Death (1975)
– Kiss and Kill (1974)
– Three on a Tightrope (1974)
 
1975 Mobile Two (TV movie)
 
1975 Promise Him Anything (TV movie)
 
1975 The Runaway Barge (TV movie)
 
1975 Lucy Gets Lucky (TV movie)
 
1975 Caribe (TV series)
 
1974-1975 Movin' On (TV series)
– Fraud (1975)
– Landslide (1975)
– Good for Laughs (1974)
– Hoots (1974)
 
1973 The Blue Knight (TV movie)
 
1972 Tribute to Bogart (TV documentary)
 
1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (uncredited)
 
1969 The Great Bank Robbery
 
1969 The Maltese Bippy
 
1968 Danger Has Two Faces (TV movie)
 
1967 Tarzan (TV series)
– Tiger, Tiger! (1967)
 
1967 Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion
 
1966-1967 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV series)
– The Cap and Gown Affair (1967)
– The Five Daughters Affair: Part II (1967)
– The Five Daughters Affair: Part I (1967)
– The When in Roma Affair (1967)
– The Matterhorn Affair (1967)
See all 11 episodes »
 
1966-1967 Batman (TV series)
– The Duo Defy (1967)
– Ice Spy (1967)
– Flop Goes the Joker (1967)
– Pop Goes the Joker (1967)
– Caught in the Spider's Den (1967)
See all 87 episodes »
 
1967 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (uncredited)
 
1967 The Spy in the Green Hat
 
1966 El Dorado
 
1966 Hawk (TV series)
 
1966 The Man Who Never Was (TV series)
 
1966 Batman
 
1966 I Dream of Jeannie (TV series)
– Permanent House Guest (1966)
 
1965-1966 The Loner (TV series)
– A Question of Guilt (1966)
– To the West of Eden (1966)
– Escort for a Dead Man (1965)
– Hunt the Man Down (1965)
– The Oath (1965)
See all 12 episodes »
 
1965 Red Line 7000
 
1965 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)
– Escape from Venice (1965)
 
1965 A Rage to Live
 
1965 Marriage on the Rocks
 
1965/II Harlow
 
1964-1965 The Rogues (TV series)
– Grave Doubts (1965)
– Wherefore Art Thou, Harold? (1965)
– Our Men in Marawat (1965)
– The Bartered MacBride (1965)
– The Laughing Lady of Luxor (1965)
See all 17 episodes »
 
1965 Inger Stevens in Sweden (TV documentary)
 
1964 Robin and the 7 Hoods
 
1964 What a Way to Go!
 
1964 Paris When It Sizzles
 
1960-1964 Route 66 (TV series)
– Where There's a Will, There's a Way: Part 2 (1964)
– Where There's a Will, There's a Way: Part 1 (1964)
– Follow the White Dove with the Broken Wing (1964)
– This Is Going to Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You (1964)
– Who in His Right Mind Needs a Nice Girl (1964)
See all 113 episodes »
 
1964 Battleline (TV series documentary)
– Stalingrad (1964)
 
1963 4 for Texas
 
1963 Come Blow Your Horn
 
1961-1963 Naked City (TV series)
– Barefoot on a Bed of Coals (1963)
– Golden Lads and Girls (1963)
– The S.S. American Dream (1963)
– Color Schemes Like Never Before (1963)
– Stop the Parade! A Baby Is Crying! (1963)
See all 50 episodes »
 
1962 Lolita
 
1960 The Untouchables (TV series)
– Jack 'Legs' Diamond (1960)
– The Rusty Heller Story (1960)
– Head of Fire: Feet of Clay (1960)
 
1960 Ocean's Eleven
 
1960 The Gun of Zangara (TV movie)
 
1960 Alcatraz Express (TV movie)
 
1959 Li'l Abner
 
1959 A Hole in the Head (music)
 
1959 The Gene Kelly Show (TV movie)
 
1959 The Bing Crosby Special (TV movie)
 
1958 St. Louis Blues (uncredited)
 
1958 Merry Andrew (uncredited)
 
1958 The Girl Most Likely (uncredited)
 
1957 The Jerry Lewis Show (TV movie)
 
1956 Lisbon
 
1956 Johnny Concho
 
1956 G.E. True Theater (TV series)
– Judy Garland Musical Special (1956)
 
1956 Flame of the Islands
 
Show ShowActor (3 titles)
1969 The Leslie Uggams Show (TV series)
Band leader
 
1956-1957 The Nat King Cole Show (TV series)
Orchestra Leader / Orchestra
– Episode #3.13 (1957) … Orchestra Leader
– Episode #3.12 (1957) … Orchestra Leader
– Episode #3.11 (1957) … Orchestra Leader
– Episode #3.10 (1957) … Orchestra Leader
– Episode #3.9 (1957) … Orchestra Leader
See all 22 episodes »
 
1956 Riddles in Rhythm (short)
Nelson Riddle - Orchestra Leader
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (20 titles)
2002 Easy Listening ("Twilight on the Mall", "Tina's Waltz", "Freeway Fantasy")
 
2001 Friends (TV series)
– The One Where They All Turn Thirty (2001) (writer: "Route 66" - uncredited)
 
2000 Wonder Boys (writer: Theme from tt0053534 / performer: Theme from tt0053534)
 
1999 Mickey Blue Eyes (performer: "C'est Magnifique")
 
1997 Vegas Vacation (performer: "Volare Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu")
 
1996 Dream for an Insomniac (performer: "Spice")
 
1987 Married with Children (TV series)
 
1985 Roadhouse 66 (writer: "THEME FROM ROUTE 66")
 
1983 Terms of Endearment (arranger: "Anything Goes" 1934)
 
1970 Hell's Bloody Devils (music: "The Fakers")
 
1966 El Dorado (music: "El Dorado")
 
1966 Batman (TV series)
– The Dead Ringers (1966) (arranger: "The Stars and Stripes Forever" - uncredited)
 
1965 Red Line 7000 ("Let Me Find Someone New")
 
1964 Paris When It Sizzles (music: "The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower")
 
1960 Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (TV series)
– Episode dated 7 December 1960 (1960) (music: "The Untouchables" - uncredited)
 
1959 A Hole in the Head (writer: "Shirl's Theme Cha-Cha" 1959 - uncredited)
 
1958 Naked City (TV series)
 
1958 The Girl Most Likely (music: "The Girl Most Likely")
 
1954 The Adventures of Hajji Baba (arranger: "Hajji Baba Persian Lament")
 
1953 The Blue Gardenia (arranger: "Blue Gardenia")
 
Show ShowSelf (18 titles)
2004 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Conductor / Himself - Orchestrator
– Judy Garland: By Myself (2004) … Himself - Orchestrator/Conductor (voice)
 
1985 Great Performances (TV series)
Himself
– Judy Garland: The Concert Years (1985) … Himself
 
1984 All-Star Party for Lucille Ball (TV movie)
Himself
 
1984 Linda Ronstadt in Concert: What's New (video)
Himself/Conductor
 
1981 Saturday Night at the Mill (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #6.12 (1981) … Himself
 
1980 The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music (TV special)
Himself
 
1978 General Electric's All-Star Anniversary (TV documentary)
 
1976 John Denver and Friend (TV special)
Himself
 
1968 ...And Debbie Makes Six (TV movie)
Himself
 
1968 The Summer Brothers Smothers Show (TV series)
Himself
 
1965 Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music (TV movie)
Himself
 
1961 Juke Box Jury (TV series)
Himself - Panellist
– Episode dated 17 June 1961 (1961) … Himself - Panellist
 
1960 A Date with Debbie (TV movie)
Himself
 
1959 Sunday Showcase (TV series)
Himself - Recipient
– The 1st Annual Grammy Awards (1959) … Himself - Recipient
 
1957-1958 The Frank Sinatra Show (TV series)
Himself
– A Gun at His Back (1958) … Himself
– Face of Fear (1958) … Himself
– Episode #1.28 (1958) … Himself
– Episode dated 4 April 1958 (1958) … Himself
– A Time to Cry (1958) … Himself
See all 7 episodes »
 
1957 The Rosemary Clooney Show (TV series)
Himself - Orchestra Leader
– Episode #1.29 (1957) … Himself - Orchestra Leader (as Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)
 
1956 Shower of Stars (TV series)
Himself
– Bombshells (1956) … Himself
 
1955 This Is Your Music (TV series)
Himself - Orchestra Conductor
– A Salute to Johnny Mercer (1955) … Himself - Orchestra Conductor
 

Related Videos

A Hole in the Head -- The story of the problems of a footloose widower and his 12-year-old son, a near-bankrupt Miami Beach hotel, a bongo-playing show girl and a matchmaking sister-in-law. Cagney & Lacey: Season 1: Episode 1 -- The detectives again go undercover as prostitutes. Paint Your Wagon -- Two unlikely prospector partners share the same wife in a California gold rush mining town.
See all 12 »
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

At one time was a trombonist for Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Article  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra

Height:

6' 2" (1.88 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia:

His musical papers now reside at The University of Arizona. See more »

Nickname:

Nels See more »

Star Sign:

Gemini