The End of an American Family

Photo courtesy of WireImage

I was online this evening when I found out that the last surviving member of one of America's most famous families passed away today. Actor, producer and director David Nelson, son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and older brother of musician Rick ("Ricky") Nelson, passed away today from colon cancer. He was 74.

When "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" premiered on ABC in 1952 (it ended its run in 1966), it was the first time that a real family portrayed a fictional version of themselves on television. I would like to think that "Ozzie & Harriet" was one of the first reality shows there ever was. The wholesome Nelsons played this idealistic American family of the 1950's. In fact, many storylines revolving around what the real Nelsons were doing in their daily lives were incorporated in to the show. Eventually, Ozzie and Harriet's youngest son, Rick, when on to gain fame as a teen idol.

Sadly, now all four members of the Nelson family are no longer with us. Ozzie passed away from liver cancer in 1975; Rick was killed in a private plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985; and Harriet died of congestive heart failure in 1994. And now with David's passing, the end of an era is gone. A little known fact about the "Ozzie & Harriet" show: it was the longest running sitcom to date, until 2003 when "The Simpsons" cartoon series broke that record.

It's unfortunate that there will never be another show like "Ozzie & Harriet." However, the Nelson legacy will continue to live on. David's niece, Tracy Nelson, is an accomplished actress, who was a regular on "Square Pegs" and on "Father Dowling Mysteries;" Tracy's brothers, twins Matthew and Gunnar, of the 90's rock group Nelson; and younger brother Sam, a record executive and the lead vocalist for the L.A. based indie band H is Orange.

David is survived by his wife Yvonne, four sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren.

Here's a funny clip from "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."



And here's a video of David's nephews Matthew, Gunnar and Sam paying tribute to their father, Rick.