Felix Nelson

{{short description|American actor}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Felix Nelson | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Felix Bradford Nelson | birth_date = {{birth date|1913|8|13|mf=y}} | birth_place = Franklin, Texas, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1998|2|17|1927|8|13|mf=y}} | death_place = Riverside, California, U.S. | death_cause = | years_active = 1937–1986 | occupation = Actor, dancer | spouse = | other_names = Felix B. Nelson,<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQ98YCW1isEC&q=%22nelson+felix+b%22 Academy Players Directory, Volume 140, Part 2]''. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 1937. pp. 42, 61.</ref> Felix P. Nelson<ref name="FPN@APP">[https://www.newspapers.com/image/144256692/?clipping_id=144177829 "On Shore Screens: 'The Learning Tree'"]. ''Asbury Park Press''.</ref> | website = }}

'''Felix Bradford Nelson''' (August 13, 1913 – February 17, 1998)<ref name="AotW">Lamarre, Hazel L. (May 28, 1953). [https://www.mediafire.com/view/9tt1tauwy5a6npt/ "All the World's a Stage: Artist of the Week"]. ''Los Angeles Sentinel''. p. B-2.</ref> 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).<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-call/144510042/ "Two Slaves Join Gold Rush in 'Land of Free'"]. ''Kansas City Call''. May 22, 1953. p. 9.</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/sim_jet_1953-06-04_4_4/page/62/mode/2up?q=%22Radio+TV+Guide%22 "Negro Actors Star in New Television Film"]. ''Jet''. June 4, 1963. p. 63.</ref> 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 Regiment-themed TV western, ''Mission''.

==Early life and career== A native of Franklin, Texas,<ref name="AotW"/> the older of two sons born to John Nelson and Dove Biggers,<ref name="TB&C4FBN">"Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LX5-ZJ3Z : 14 February 2020), Felix Bradford Nelson, 1913. </ref><ref name='TB&C4JDN'>"Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LG6-B82M : 14 February 2020), Dovie Biggers in entry for Johnnie Dovie Nelson, 1915.</ref> 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,<ref name="AotW"/> portraying painter Elihu Vedder's "African Sentinel."<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/567349008/?clipping_id=144235563 "Art Studies Prepared for Laguna Festival"]. ''Daily Times-Advocate''. July 9, 1948. p. 6.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/689327464/?clipping_id=144234734 "FELIX NELSON as Vedder's 'African Sentinel'"]. ''Los Angeles Daily News''. August 8, 1947. p. 27.</ref> 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.<ref name="AotW"/>

In 1949, Nelson became the first African American graduate of CBS's radio drama school.<ref>Brown, Jessie Mae (March 4, 1948). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/california-eagle/144106812/ "Whats' Doing in the Social Set"]. ''California Eagle''. p. 10.</ref> 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''.<ref name="Jim@HF49"/> He also appeared that year on TV in ''Your Show Time's'' adaptation of Bret Harte's short story, "Colonel Starbottle for the Plaintiff,"<ref name="Starbottle49"/><ref name="Starbottle51"/> and onstage in a revival of the Broadway musical Carmen Jones, staged at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/144234905/ "Music Show Due Tonight"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. September 5, 1949. Pt. II, p. 2.</ref>

==Personal life and death== On June 3, 1948, the ''California Eagle'' reported that Nelson was residing in Laurel Canyon with his "pretty blue eyed wife."{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} However, a 1953 profile in the ''Los Angeles Sentinel'' refers to him as "a bachelor."<ref name="AotW"/>

On February 17, 1998, Nelson died of undisclosed causes. His remains are interred at Riverside National Cemetery.<ref>[https://www.gravelocator.cem.va.gov/ngl/NGLMap?ID=6470742 "Felix B. Nelson"]. cem.va.gov.</ref>

== Works ==

===Radio=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Approximate date(s) !! Program (or LP) !! Role !! Notes |- | April 17, 1949 || ''NBC University Theater'' Ep. "Huckleberry Finn" || Jim || Ernest Kinoy's one-hour adaptation of Twain's novel, starring Dean Stockwell and Jerry Farber, as Finn and Tom Sawyer, respectively.<ref name="Jim@HF49">Palmer, Zuma (April 16, 1949). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/683888174/?clipping_id=144234318 "Radio-Television; Oldest U.S. Sunrise Service Among Many Broadcast Tomorrow (The following are all Sunday programs)"]. ''Hollywood Citizen-News''. p. 20.</ref> |- | 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.<ref>Palmer, Zuma (January 21, 1950). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news/144231056/ "Radio-Television; Sunday Programs"]. ''Hollywood Citizen-News''. p. 18.</ref> |- | July 23, 1950 || ''NBC University Theater'' Ep. "Huckleberry Finn" || Jim ||Reprising 4/17/49 production, with Henry Blair taking over as Huck Finn.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/144523792/ "Today's Programs: 'Huckleberry Finn' in the NBC Theater"]. ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch''. Jul 23, 1950. p. 4G.</ref><ref>[https://www.otrr.org/OTRRPedia/pedia.html?s=per&id=32515&t=1 "Felix Nelson"]. otrr.org</ref> |- | August 20, 1950 || ''NBC University Theater'' Ep. A High Wind in Jamaica || The cook || Jane Speed's adaptation of Richard Hughes' novel<ref name=otrrnelson>[https://www.otrr.org/OTRRPedia/pedia.html?s=per&id=32515&t=1 "Felix Nelson: Programs/Episodes"]. Old Time Radio Researchers.</ref><ref>Morrison, Dennis (March 31, 2023). "A HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA - NBC UNIVERSITY RADIO THEATER!!!!!", at [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReqJBAAwVKw&t=54s 0:54] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReqJBAAwVKw&t=3529s 58:49].</ref> |- | 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.<ref name=otrrnelson/> |- | July 13, 1951 || ''NBC Short Story'' Ep. "They Are All Afraid" || NA || Canadian dramatist Len Peterson's award-winning 1943 radio play.<ref name=otrrnelson/><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/144285873/ "Today's Radio Highlights"]. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. July 13, 1951. Sec. 2, p. 4.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/144285530/ "Soldier's Short Story Is Heard as First in Victory Loan Series"]. ''The Montreal Gazette''. October 6, 1944. p. 6.</ref> |- | December 28, 1951 || ''NBC Short Story'' Ep. "The Trader's Wife" || NA || Adaptation of Jean Kenyon Mackenzie's novel.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/144253569/ "Today's Features on Radio and TV"]. ''Minneapolis Star Tribune''. December 28, 1941. p. 23.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/alabama-tribune/144115788/ "Negro Actors Featured in NBC Dramatization"]. ''Alabama Tribune''. January 4, 1952. p. 2.</ref> |- | May 2, 1952 || ''NBC Short Story'' ep. "Biscuit Eater" || NA || Earl Hamner's adaptation of James Street's novel.<ref>[https://www.otrr.org/OTRRPedia/pedia.html?s=eps&term=Biscuit%20Eater "Episode Search: Biscuit Eater"]. Old Time Radio Researchers.</ref> |}

===Film and television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- |1937|| ''Flying Down to Rio'' || Dancer (uncredited) || <ref name="AotW"/> |- |1949|| ''Your Show Time'' (TV) ep. "Colonel Starbottle for the Plaintiff" || NA || <ref name="Starbottle49">Smith, Barbara (June 24, 1949). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal/144490232/ "'Old West' Show Tonight"]. ''The Atlanta Journal''. p. 24.</ref><ref name="Starbottle51">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/144490699/ "Sam Looks Awful, But He's Hilarious"]. ''The Daily Oklahoman''. February 4, 1951. p. 16.</ref> |- |1953|| ''Jamaica Run'' || NA || <ref name="AotW"/> |- |1953|| ''Death Valley Days'' (TV) Ep. "Land of the Free" || Zack ||<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/117190700/?clipping_id=144109714 "Gold Rushers"]. ''Arizona Republic''. </ref> |- |1953|| ''Sangaree'' || Billy || <ref>MacArthur, Harry (June 20, 1953). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/144317482/ "'Sangaree' Is a 3-D Film With Abundant Story"]. ''Washington Evening Star''. p. 7.</ref> |- |1953|| ''A Lion Is in the Streets'' || Black cotton grower who corroborates Hank's suspicions just prior to pivotal short-weighting/shooting scene || <ref name="AotW"/> |- |1953|| ''Ramar of the Jungle'' (TV) Ep. "Idol Voodoo" || Chief Umpala || <ref>Classic TV Channel (May 5, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aRhUxvqdGg "Ramar of the Jungle - Season 2 - Episode 7 - Idol Voo-Doo | Jon Hall, Ray Montgomery, Nick Stewart"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1954|| ''Playhouse of Stars'' Ep. "The Jungle Trap" || George || Frank Burt script, dir. Jus Addiss<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern/144319218/ "Ronald Reagan to Star Friday Night in the Jungle Trap"]. ''The Oshkosh Northwestern''. February 13, 1954. p. 5.</ref> |- |1954|| ''Ramar of the Jungle'' (TV) Ep. "Striped Fury" || Chief Gonowa || <ref>Classic Movies, Cartoons, and TV (November 12, 2022). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7pl5P3CbTs "Ramar of the Jungle - Striped Fury"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1955|| ''Cavalcade of America'' (TV) Ep. A Chain of Hearts || Chef || <ref>Classic TV Channel (May 30, 2021). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyyP9E2k2c&t=1715s "Cavalcade of America | Season 4 | Episode 6 | Chain of Hearts | Charles Bronson | Joyce McCluskey"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1956|| ''Screen Directors Playhouse'' (TV) Ep. "The Dream" || Negro || <ref>Colorization (October 11, 2023). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEPB8x_G5o&t=1445s "Screen Directors Playhouse s1e26 The Dream, Colorized, George Sanders, Sal Mineo, John Banner, 1956"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1956|| ''General Electric Theater'' (TV) Ep. "The Jungle Trap" || George || <ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-coshocton-democrat/144499810/ "Ronald Reagan Stars on 'The Jungle Trap'"]. ''The Coshocton Democrat''. September 15, 1956. p. 5.</ref> |- |1956|| ''Soldiers of Fortune'' (TV) Ep. "Boomerang" || Chief || |- |1959|| ''General Electric Theater'' (TV) Ep. "Caesar and Cleopatra" || NA || <ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/651740192/?clipping_id=144193492 "Shaw's Play Adapted for TV"]. ''The News and Observer''. April 12, 1959. Sec. III, p. 49.</ref> |- |1959|| ''Zane Grey Theater'' (TV) Ep. "Mission" || Trooper Potts || <ref>{{Cite news|title=Tele Followups: Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre|author=Tube|date=November 18, 1959|work=Variety|page=56|quote=Naughty little television comes clean in this precedental episode out of Four Star's 'Zane Grey' stable. By breaking the racial barrier that has, up to now, existed in video's somewhat rigged version of the early American west, it takes some of the sting out of the gaping wound left by the pay-for-play quiz whizzes. 'Mission' accomplished. [...] Davis, who probably hasn't even scratched the surface of his talents yet, gives a convincing performance throughout. James Edwards has some telling moments as a sergeant of great conviction. As other troopers on the squad, Felix Nelson, Roy Glenn, Ernie Anderson, Bobby Johnson and Hari Rhodes come through admirably. All these men deserve bigger and better parts.|id={{ProQuest|1014824276}}}}</ref> |- |1960|| ''Shirley Temple's Storybook'' (TV) Ep. "Tom and Huck" || George || <ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/209491881/?clipping_id=144189199 "'Tom and Huck' Drama"]. ''The Times Herald''. October 8, 1960. p. 16.</ref> |- |1969|| ''The Learning Tree'' || Jack Winger || <ref name="FPN@APP"/> |- |1969|| ''The Bill Cosby Show'' (TV) Ep. "Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend" || Mr. Paskins || <ref> Dave's Faves (June 24, 2023). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMKSnPS_pg&t=1455 "S1 E06 Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1970|| ''The Ballad of Cable Hogue'' || William || <ref>Parish, James Robert (1988). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=34wYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Felix+Nelson%22 The Great Western Pictures II]''. Scarecrow Press, 1988. p. 21. {{ISBN|9780810821064}}></ref> |- |1980|| ''The White Shadow'' (TV) Ep. "Links" || Lawrence || <ref>Old Soul (April 3, 2021). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax8sBlMirDY&t=11720s "The White Shadow S2 (Episodes 13-16)"]. YouTube.</ref> |- |1983|| ''The Winds of War'' (TV) Ep. 4 ("Defiance") || FDR Valet || <ref> Stalingrad Heritage (July 5, 2015). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH-IRuTWSWs&t=5722s "The Winds of War IV (Episode 4) Defiance sa prevodom"]. YouTube.</ref><ref>Mitchell, Charles P. (2002). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=5nYwCgAAQBAJ&q=%22FDR%27s+Valet%22+%22Felix+Nelson%22&pg=PA243 The Hitler Filmography: Worldwide Feature Film and Television Miniseries Portrayals, 1940 Through 2000]''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 243. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-4585-1}}.</ref> |- |1983|| ''The Best of Times (TV pilot)'' || Wheeler || <ref>Terrace, Vincent (1997). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=r8VkAAAAMAAJ&q=%22felix+nelson%22+wheeler+%22best+of+times%22 Experimental Television, Test Films, Pilots, and Trial Series, 1925 Through 1995: Seven Decades of Small Screen Almosts]''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 48. {{ISBN|9780786401789}}.</ref> |- |1983|| ''Hardcastle and McCormick'' (TV) Ep. "Once Again With Vigorish" || Judge William Robinson || |- |1984|| ''Hill Street Blues'' (TV) Ep. "Nichols from Heaven" || Man || <ref>[https://digiguide.tv/programme/Drama/Hill-Street-Blues/5724/season-4/episode-12/Nichols-from-Heaven/43126/ "Hill Street Blues: Nichols from Heaven"]. digiguide.tv. Retrieved April 1, 2024.</ref> |- |1984|| ''Rituals'' (TV) || Carl Washington || <ref>Jones, Slick (May 3, 2021). [https://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/52750-soap-opera-cast-lists-and-character-guides-cancelled-and-current/page/112/#comment-1725427 "RITUALS: SEPTEMBER 10, 1984-SEPTEMBER 6, 1985 SYNDICATED"]. Soap Opera Network. Retrieved April 1, 2024.</ref> |- |1986|| ''Blue City'' || Caretaker || <ref>Mulay, Janes J; Curran, Daniel; Wallenfeldt, Jeffrey H. (1988). ''[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780933997189/page/14/mode/2up?q=%22felix+nelson%22+%22hardcastle%22 Spies and Sleuths : Mystery, Spy, and Suspense Films on Videocassette]''. Evanston, IL: CineBooks. p. 14. {{ISBN|9780933997189}}.</ref> |- |1986|| ''Stewardess School'' || Judge || <ref>C. Monk records (Home Channel). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRobUHxaorg&t=5423s "Stewardess School (1986)"]. YouTube. November 21, 2021.</ref> |- |1986|| ''Soul Man'' || Mr. Walker || <ref>{{Cite news|title=Feature Films: Soul Man|author=Floyd, Nigel|date=February 1987|work=Monthly Film Bulletin|page=60|quote=Ron Reagan (Frank), M.C. Gainey (Man in Cell), Felix Nelson (Mr. Walker), Betty Cole (Mrs. Walker)|id={{ProQuest|1305840056}}}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * [https://www.newspapers.com/image/610757766/?clipping_id=144109337 "Welcome, Friend"]. ''The Rock Island Argus''. August 11, 1954. p. 9. * [https://www.newspapers.com/image/71935451/?clipping_id=144109875 "One of the most heart-warming true stories"]. ''Daily Independent Journal''. August 14, 1954. p.T 1. * [https://www.newspapers.com/article/california-eagle/120442392/ "Mourn Beavers"]. ''California Eagle''. November 8, 1962. p. 1.

==External links== *{{IMDb name|0625364}} *[https://www.otrr.org/OTRRPedia/pedia.html?s=per&id=32515&t=1 Felix Nelson] at OTRr.org

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Felix}} Category:1913 births Category:1998 deaths Category:20th-century American male actors Category:20th-century African-American male actors Category:American male film actors Category:American male radio actors Category:American male stage actors Category:American male television actors Category:Male actors from Texas Category:People from Franklin, Texas Category:United States Army personnel of World War II Category:United States Army soldiers