Career
Radio
Nelson began his entertainment career in radio, and later moved into television and movies. In 1926, at age 15, Nelson played the role of a 30-year-old man in a series broadcast from KOA in Denver, Colorado. In 1929, Nelson moved to Hollywood, California, and worked in local dramatic broadcasts, usually playing the leading man. The first sponsored program in which he appeared that reached a national market was '' Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel'', aWork with Jack Benny
Nelson first found fame as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on Benny's radio show during the 1940s and 1950s. Nelson began to appear on Benny's radio show in the late 1930s, doing various roles, but his eventual character began to take form around 1942. Nelson, whose character was never given a name,Josefsberg, Milt (1977): ''The Jack Benny Show''. New Rochelle: Arlington House. p. 113. typically portrayed a sales clerk, dentist or customer service worker, and Benny's character would run into him seemingly out of nowhere. Whatever his occupation in a particular episode, Nelson's character would usually be polite and patient with all of his customers except for Benny. Nelson also appeared on Benny's television show beginning in 1950, doing the same "rude clerk" shtick. His other catchphrase, that would be worked into every routine, would have Benny asking something mundane, such as, "Do these shirts come in a medium?", and Frank would bellow, "Oo-oo-oo-ooh, DO they!"Other work
Nelson performed on a number of Hollywood-based radio shows during this time, including '' Fibber McGee and Molly'', and did radio work well into the late 1950s, on the few shows that remained on the air, including dramatic roles on such programs as '' Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar''. After ''Jack Benny'', Nelson continued to work in sitcoms in similar roles, most notably in '' The Hank McCune Show'' and '' I Love Lucy''. Nelson appeared as various characters during all six seasons of ''I Love Lucy'' (including the recurring role of game show host Freddie Fillmore) and also appeared in two episodes as neighbor Ralph Ramsey, after the Ricardos moved to Westport, Connecticut in season six. He further appeared in '' The New Phil Silvers Show'' and '' The Addams Family'' in the 1960s,Later years
Toward the end of his life, Nelson enjoyed some newfound stardom among a younger generation of fans. He appeared in a string of commercials for McDonald's doing his trademark "EEE-yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase during its 1981 vacation sweepstakes promotional campaign, in which he played an over-the-top passport agent. In the Green Giant Commercial in 1979, Nelson voiced a racoon who snatches green beans from Sprout's wagonDeath
Nelson was diagnosed with cancer in 1985. After a yearlong battle, he died in Hollywood on September 12, 1986, at the age of 75. He was entombed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale.Legacy
His distinctive appearance and manner of saying "yes?" has been parodied frequently in film, radio and television, most notably with the character on '' The Simpsons'' called the " Frank Nelson Type" (aka "Yes Guy"). Nelson's appearance and mannerisms were also parodied multiple times in the Disney Afternoon series '' TaleSpin'', with Nelson represented by a large hippopotamus in a suit. '' The Daily Show'' often features a Nelson impression by host Jon Stewart after a setup clip, often "Yeeesss?" or "Go onnnnnnn ..." followed by another clip which serves as the punchline. The ongoing comic strip Gasoline Alley occasionally features a character known as “Mr. Nelson,” who is drawn to resemble Frank Nelson. In classic fashion, he appears in almost any professional capacity that a main character might be seeking, from department store sales associate to tree service owner.Partial filmography
* '' Fugitive in the Sky'' (1936) as Radio Announcer (uncredited) * '' Gang Bullets'' (1938) as Radio Announcer (uncredited) * '' The Milkman'' (1950) as Mr. Green * '' Bonzo Goes to College'' (1952) Dick * '' It Should Happen To You'' (1954) as Harold At Macy's (uncredited) * '' It's Always Fair Weather'' (1955) (uncredited) * '' The Malibu Bikini Shop'' (1986) as Richard J. Remington (final movie role, film released after his death)References
Further reading
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