Ricky Nelson
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 8, 1940
- Place of birth
- Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
- Died
- December 31, 1985
Biography
Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor. He placed fifty-three songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1957 and 1973, including nineteen top-ten hits, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987.
Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949 playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and, in 1952, appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and recorded a number one album, Ricky. In 1958, Nelson recorded his first number one single, "Poor Little Fool", and, in 1959, received a Golden Globe Most Promising Male Newcomer nomination after starring in the western film, Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and, when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs.
Nelson and Sharon Kristin Harmon were married on April 20, 1963, and divorced in December 1982. They had four children: Tracy Kristine, twin sons Gunnar Eric and Matthew Gray, and Sam Hilliard. On February 14, 1981, a son was born to Nelson and Georgeann Crewe. A blood test in 1985 confirmed Nelson was the child's father. Nelson was engaged to Helen Blair at the time of his death in an airplane crash on December 31, 1985.
Movies with Ricky Nelson
- Rio Bravo 1959 · ★ 7.8
- The Shootist 1976 · ★ 7.1
- La Classe américaine 1993 · ★ 7.6
- The Wrecking Crew 2008 · ★ 7.4
- The Wackiest Ship in the Army 1960 · ★ 6.1
- The Story of Three Loves 1953 · ★ 6.0
- The Movie Orgy 1968 · ★ 6.8
- The Resurrection of Broncho Billy 1970 · ★ 6.4
- The Over the Hill Gang 1969 · ★ 5.8
- The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks 1973 · ★ 6.8
- Swing Out, Sweet Land 1970 · ★ 5.6
- Sonic Boom 1974 · ★ 5.6
- Death In Hollywood 1990 · ★ 6.8
- High School U.S.A. 1984 · ★ 4.2
- Here Come the Nelsons 1952 · ★ 7.0
- Disneyland '59 1959 · ★ 7.3
- Three on a Date 1978 · ★ 3.3
- Love and Kisses 1965 · ★ 9.0
- Men Who Rate a 10 1980 · ★ 9.0
- On the Flip Side 1966 · ★ 8.0
- Easy to Be Free 1973 · ★ 10.0
- Ricky Nelson Sings 2005
- Fol-de-Rol 1972
- Kenny Rogers and Friends 2010
- Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian 1984