Billy Nelson (born William Nelson; July 19, 1903 – June 13, 1979) was an American

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

comedian and actor who appeared in over 80 films and television programs. He was featured several times on one of the iconic black and white TV series of the 1950s '' Adventures of Superman''; his appearances are still seen on television today. He also played roles in the historic

Hal Roach Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr. Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director and screenwriter, ...

short comedy films as one of Hal Roach's All-Stars in the two-reel films often shown in theaters during the World War II era.

Biography

Nelson was a nightclub master of ceremonies in the United States and abroad. Nelson and his wife, violinist Irene Knight, developed a musical comedy act that was featured in several major markets during the 1930s. The Nelson-Knight music and comedy duo often worked shows featuring vaudeville and Broadway ballerina Jeanne Devereaux. Frequently cast as a villain, Nelson was a familiar face during the infancy of network and syndicated television. He played in roles on early television westerns and police procedurals,i.e., ''

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' is the first Western television series written for adults.Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American Western (genre), Western anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was ...

'', ''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...

'', ''

Tombstone Territory ''Tombstone Territory'' is an American Western television series starring Pat Conway and Richard Eastham. The first two seasons aired on ABC from 1957 to 1959. The first season was sponsored by Bristol-Myers (consumer products) and the seco ...

'', ''

Highway Patrol A highway patrol is a police unit, detail, or law enforcement agency created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways within a jurisdiction. They are also referred to in many countri ...

'', '' M Squad'' and Jack Webb's original '' Dragnet''. Nelson and his mother, Nettie Newman, were close with the actor

Jack Haley John Joseph Haley Jr. (August 10, 1898 – June 6, 1979) was an American actor, comedian, dancer, radio host, singer, drummer and vaudevillian. He was best known for his portrayal of the Tin Man and his farmhand counterpart Hickory in the 193 ...

. Nelson made his first film appearances in 1933 in

comedy short subjects. His (well-honed) blue-collar appearance made him a likely choice for roles as cab drivers, bartenders, and gunmen. For instance, in the five-year run of ''The Adventures Superman'' television series, Nelson played five different thugs. Nelson's last role was in the 1961 in ''

Pocketful of Miracles ''Pocketful of Miracles'' is a 1961 American comedy film starring Glenn Ford and Bette Davis, produced and directed by Frank Capra, filmed in Panavision. The screenplay by Hal Kanter and Harry Tugend was based on Robert Riskin's screenplay f ...

''.

Filmography (selection)

* '' Look Up and Laugh'' (1935) (British) * '' I Live on Danger'' (1942) as George 'Longshot' Harrison * '' Wrecking Crew'' (1942) as Tom Kemp * ''

Minesweeper A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping. History The earliest known usage of ...

'' (1943) as Bos'un 'Freshwater' Heims * '' Harvest Melody'' (1943) as Canvas Back Kirby * '' Waterfront'' (1944) as Butch * '' Gambler's Choice'' (1944) as Danny May * '' High Powered'' (1945) as Bill Madden * '' Senorita from the West'' (1945) as Taxicab Driver * '' Search for Danger'' (1949) as Gunman in backseat of car * '' Drums in the Deep South'' (1951) as Union Sergeant (uncredited) * ''

Stamp Day for Superman ''Stamp Day for Superman'' is a 1954 black-and-white short film in the superhero film genre. Starring George Reeves as Superman and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, it was produced by Superman Inc. for the United States Department of the Treasury to ...

'' (1954, Short) as Blinky * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1956) (Season 2 Episode 2: "Fog Closing In") as Cab Driver * '' 12 Angry Men'' (1957) as Court Clerk (uncredited) * ''

'' (1961) as Hood (uncredited)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Billy 1903 births 1979 deaths American male film actors Male actors from Brooklyn 20th-century American male actors