Billy Nelson (actor)

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

Billy Nelson
Nelson in Stamp Day for Superman (1954)
Born
William Nelson

(1903-07-19)July 19, 1903
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1979(1979-06-13) (aged 75)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1935–1961
SpouseIrene Knight

He also played roles in the historic Hal Roach 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.[1]

Nelson and his wife, violinist Irene Knight, developed a musical comedy act that was featured in several major markets during the 1930s.[2][3]

The Nelson-Knight music and comedy duo often worked shows featuring vaudeville and Broadway ballerina Jeanne Devereaux[4]

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, Death Valley Days, Bat Masterson, Tombstone Territory, Highway Patrol, M Squad and Jack Webb's original Dragnet.

Nelson and his mother, Nettie Newman, were close with the actor Jack Haley.[5]

Nelson made his first film appearances in 1933 in Hal Roach 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.

Filmography (selection)

References
  1. https://archive.org/stream/variety112-1933-10/variety112-1933-10_djvu.txt
  2. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin". Newspapers.com. Honolulu, Hawaii. February 3, 1948. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  3. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Honolulu, Hawaii on March 5, 1949 · 27". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  4. Lesko, Kathleen Menzie (April 24, 2017). Jeanne Devereaux, Prima Ballerina of Vaudeville and Broadway: "She Ran Between the Raindrops". McFarland. ISBN 9781476627496. Retrieved June 25, 2019 – via Google Books.
  5. "The Billy Nelson Gallery". www.jimnolt.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
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