| Felix Nelson | |
| Birth Name: | Felix Bradford Nelson |
| Birth Date: | August 13, 1913 |
| Birth Place: | Franklin, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Riverside, California, U.S. |
| Years Active: | 1937–1986 |
| Occupation: | Actor, dancer |
| Other Names: | Felix B. Nelson,[1] Felix P. Nelson[2] |
Felix Bradford Nelson[3] (August 13, 1913[4] - February 17, 1998[5]) was an American stage, film, radio and television actor, best known for his work in Gordon Parks' The Learning Tree and Ruth Woodman's "Land of the Free" (Death Valley Days' acclaimed Season 1 finale.)[6] [7] Nelson also appeared as Jim from Huckleberry Finn on both radio and television, and, alongside Sammy Davis Jr. and a mostly African American cast, in Aaron Spelling's groundbreaking 10th Cavalry-themed TV western, Mission.
A native of Franklin, Texas,[4] the older of two sons born to John Nelson and Dove Biggers,[3] [8] Nelson ran away from home at the age of 13, joining the J. R. Roberton Circus as a dancer, performing the Charleston and Black Bottom. From 1937 through 1940 and again from 1945 through 1948, he appeared with the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts,[4] portraying painter Elihu Vedder's "African Sentinel."[9] [10] In the interim, he served with the United States Army for 3½ years during World War II, in China, India, and Burma, and was awarded the Purple Heart in 1945.[4]
In 1949, Nelson became the first African American graduate of CBS's radio drama school.[11] The following year, he appeared as Jim—alongside Dean Stockwell's Huck and Jerry Farber's Tom—on NBC University Theater, in Ernest Kinoy's adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He also appeared that year on TV in Your Show Time's adaptation of Bret Harte's short story, "Colonel Starbottle for the Plaintiff," and onstage in a revival of the Broadway musical Carmen Jones, staged at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.[12]
On June 3, 1948, the California Eagle reported that Nelson was residing in Laurel Canyon with his "pretty blue eyed wife." As of 1950, however, his United States Census form lists him as single (albeit "room[ing]" with a female head of household),[13] and a 1953 profile in the Los Angeles Sentinel refers to him as "a bachelor."[4]
On February 17, 1998, Nelson died of undisclosed causes. His remains are interred at Riverside National Cemetery.[14] His gravestone, while citing Nelson's service in World War II, makes no mention of surviving relatives.[15]
| Approximate date(s) | Program (or LP) | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17, 1949 | NBC University Theater Ep. "Huckleberry Finn" | Ernest Kinoy's one-hour adaptation of Twain's novel, starring Dean Stockwell and Jerry Farber, as Finn and Tom Sawyer, respectively.[16] | |||
| January 22, 1950 | NBC University Theater Ep. "At Heaven's Gate" | An old man | Clarice A. Ross's adaptation of Robert Penn Warren's like-named novel, featuring Vivi Janiss as Sue and Stephen Chase as Gov. Milam.[17] | ||
| July 23, 1950 | NBC University Theater Ep. "Huckleberry Finn" | Jim | Reprising 4/17/49 production, with Henry Blair taking over as Huck Finn.[18] [19] | ||
| August 20, 1950 | NBC University Theater Ep. A High Wind in Jamaica | The cook | Jane Speed's adaptation of Richard Hughes' novel[20] [21] | ", at 0:54 and 58:49. | |
| April 25, 1951 | NBC Short Story Ep. "I'm a Fool" and "I Want to Know Why" | NA | William Hodapp's adaptation of stories by Sherwood Anderson. | ||
| July 13, 1951 | NBC Short Story Ep. "They Are All Afraid" | NA | Canadian dramatist Len Peterson's award-winning 1943 radio play.[22] [23] | ||
| December 28, 1951 | NBC Short Story Ep. "The Trader's Wife" | NA | Adaptation of Jean Kenyon Mackenzie's novel.[24] [25] | ||
| May 2, 1952 | NBC Short Story ep. "Biscuit Eater" | NA | Earl Hamner's adaptation of James Street's novel.[26] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Flying Down to Rio | Dancer (uncredited) | ||
| 1949 | Your Show Time (TV) ep. "Colonel Starbottle for the Plaintiff" | NA | [27] [28] | |
| 1953 | Jamaica Run | NA | ||
| 1953 | Death Valley Days (TV) Ep. "Land of the Free" | Zack | [29] | |
| 1953 | Sangaree | Billy | [30] | |
| 1953 | A Lion Is in the Streets | Black cotton grower who corroborates Hank's suspicions just prior to pivotal short-weighting/shooting scene | ||
| 1953 | Ramar of the Jungle (TV) Ep. "Idol Voodoo" | Chief Umpala | [31] | |
| 1954 | Playhouse of Stars Ep. "The Jungle Trap" | George | Frank Burt script, dir. Jus Addiss[32] | |
| 1954 | Ramar of the Jungle (TV) Ep. "Striped Fury" | Chief Gonowa | [33] | |
| 1955 | Cavalcade of America (TV) Ep. A Chain of Hearts | Chef | [34] | |
| 1956 | Screen Directors Playhouse (TV) Ep. "The Dream" | Negro | [35] | |
| 1956 | General Electric Theater (TV) Ep. "The Jungle Trap" | George | [36] | |
| 1956 | Soldiers of Fortune (TV) Ep. "Boomerang" | Chief | ||
| 1959 | General Electric Theater (TV) Ep. "Caesar and Cleopatra" | NA | [37] | |
| 1959 | Zane Grey Theater (TV) Ep. "Mission" | Trooper Potts | [38] | |
| 1960 | Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV) Ep. "Tom and Huck" | George | [39] | |
| 1969 | The Learning Tree | Jack Winger | ||
| 1969 | The Bill Cosby Show (TV) Ep. "Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend" | Mr. Paskins | [40] | |
| 1970 | The Ballad of Cable Hogue | William | [41] | |
| 1980 | The White Shadow (TV) Ep. "Links" | Lawrence | [42] | |
| 1983 | The Winds of War (TV) Ep. 4 ("Defiance") | FDR Valet | [43] [44] | |
| 1983 | The Best of Times (TV pilot) | Wheeler | [45] | |
| 1983 | Hardcastle and McCormick (TV) Ep. "Once Again With Vigorish" | Judge William Robinson | ||
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues (TV) Ep. "Nichols from Heaven" | Man | [46] | |
| 1984 | Rituals (TV) | Carl Washington | [47] | |
| 1986 | Blue City | Caretaker | [48] | |
| 1986 | Stewardess School | Judge | [49] | |
| 1986 | Soul Man | Mr. Walker | [50] |