On this day, March 20, 1906, Ozzie Nelson was born.

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Ozzie Nelson



Nelson in 1937

Born: Oswald George Nelson; March 20, 1906; Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Died: June 3, 1975 (aged 69); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Occupations: Actor, director, producer, screenwriter, musician, composer, conductor, bandleader
Spouse: Harriet Nelson, (married 1935)
Children: David Nelson, Ricky Nelson

Oswald George Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975)[1] was an American actor, filmmaker, musician and bandleader. He originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, a radio and television series with his wife Harriet and two sons David and Ricky Nelson.

Early life

Nelson was born March 20, 1906 in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. He was the second son of Ethel Irene (née Orr) and George Waldemar Nelson. His paternal grandparents were Swedish and his mother was of English descent. Nelson was raised in Ridgefield Park where he was active in Scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. He played football at Ridgefield Park High School as well as during his college years at Rutgers University. He was a member of the Cap and Skull fraternity. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree and earned a law degree from Rutgers School of Law, Newark, New Jersey, in 1930. Nelson was made a doctor of humane letters by Rutgers University in 1957. As a student he made pocket money playing saxophone in a band and coaching football. Nelson was rejected to be the vocalist for the Rutgers Jazz Bandits, led by Scrappy Lambert and later Hawley Ades. Nelson was not discouraged and was gracious about this rejection when he met Ades years later. During the Depression, he turned to music as a full-time career.

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The Nelson family; (clockwise from top) David, Ricky, Ozzie and Harriet, 1952

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