Ozzie & Harriet's David Nelson Dies

Last member of sitcom family dead at 74

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2011 3:40 AM CST

(Newser) – David Nelson, the last surviving family member from '50s sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, has died at the age of 74. The former child star, who directed movies including Peytyon Place, succumbed to colon cancer, AP reports. Nelson and his younger musician brother, Ricky, who died in a 1985 plane crash, grew up in front of millions of Americans as they starred in the long-running sitcom with their real-life parents.

Ozzie and Harriet Nelson smile with their sons David, left, and Ricky in this January 1955 photo. (Getty Images)

Ozzie and Harriet Nelson with sons Ricky, left, and David, pose in their television home. (AP Photo/A&E, File)

Actor and director David Nelson poses with his grandson Michael Woolery and family friend Ashley Holt as he is honored with the 2,065th star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

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Ozzie & Harriet's David Nelson Dies

Last member of sitcom family dead at 74

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Actor Ben Gazzara Dead at 81

He was a longtime presence on Broadway, TV, and the big screen

'Colonel Potter' Is Dead

Actor Harry Morgan of 'MAS*H' fame gone at age 96

Hitchcock Star Farley Granger Dead at 85

'50s screen idol loved the stage best

CBS Fires Charlie Sheen

'Two and a Half Men' star gets pinks slip; show may or may not go on

Seinfeld 's Uncle Leo Dead at 88

Veteran actor Len Lesser made more than 500 TV, film appearances

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Ozzie & Harriet's David Nelson Dies

Last member of sitcom family dead at 74

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Actor Ben Gazzara Dead at 81

He was a longtime presence on Broadway, TV, and the big screen

'Colonel Potter' Is Dead

Actor Harry Morgan of 'M*A*S*H' fame gone at age 96

Hitchcock Star Farley Granger Dead at 85

'50s screen idol loved the stage best

CBS Fires Charlie Sheen

'Two and a Half Men' star gets pinks slip; show may or may not go on

Seinfeld 's Uncle Leo Dead at 88

Veteran actor Len Lesser made more than 500 TV, film appearances

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Actor Harry Morgan of 'MAS*H' fame gone at age 96