Ed Nelson
Acting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Edwin Stafford Nelson (December 21, 1928 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor. Nelson began acting while attending Tulane University in New Orleans. He left college after two years to study at the New York School of Radio and Television Technique. After graduating, he took a position as a director at WDSU-TV in New Orleans. By 1956, acting became his central focus and he moved to the Los Angeles area. Early in his career he worked with famed B-movie producer Roger Corman on such Corman films as Cry Baby Killers, A Bucket of Blood, Teenage Cave Man and Attack of the Crab Monsters. In 1958 he participated in Bruno VeSota's science fiction horror film The Brain Eaters. His early television career featured many guest starring roles in such series as The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, Harbor Command, Tombstone Territory, Tightrope, The Blue Angels (as arrogant flight instructor Lieutenant Dayl Martin), Laramie, COronado 9, The Eleventh Hour, Bonanza, Thriller (US TV series), and Channing, an ABC drama about college life. In 1964 he won his most famous role portraying Dr. Michael Rossi on the ABC drama Peyton Place, which ran from 1964 to 1969. Nelson's fellow cast members included Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, and Dorothy Malone. Dr. Rossi proved to be so popular that by 1968, he became the lead actor on the show. Nelson reprised his role in two made-for-TV movies, Murder in Peyton Place and Peyton Place: The Next Generation. After Peyton Place ended, Nelson worked in many more productions of all varieties, including starring role in many movies of the week, a second TV series, "The Silent Force," and a popular morning talk show which he hosted for three years. Soon after, Nelson struck gold with his critically acclaimed portrayal of elusive pit crew chief Robert Denby in the hit film Riding with Death (1976), earning him several prestigious accolades and legions of devoted fans.
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
as Governor Neilson
Age 57 (now 85)
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
as Governor Neilson
Age 57 (now 85)
Peyton Place: The Next Generation
as Dr. Michael Rossi
Age 56 (now 85)
Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb
as President Harry S. Truman
Age 51 (now 85)
The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything
as Joseph Locordolos
Age 51 (now 85)
Houston, We've Got a Problem
as Gene Kranz, Flight Director
Age 45 (now 85)
Judgment at Nuremberg
as Captain at Nightclub Announcing Call-up of Officers (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 85)
The Steel Trap
as Man in Ticket Line at Airport (uncredited)
Age 23 (now 85)
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Tantasi
Age 27 (now 85) Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Nelson
Age 27 (now 85) Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Vince Harwell
Age 27 (now 85) Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Jack Bowen
Age 27 (now 85) Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Albie
Age 27 (now 85)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Edwin Stafford Nelson
IMDB
nm0625343