Frank Nelson | |
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Frank Nelson in the The Jack Benny Program episode, "Jack Does His Christmas Shopping" (1954)
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Born |
Frank Brandon Nelson May 6, 1911 Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Died | September 12, 1986 Hollywood, California |
(aged 75)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1926–1986 |
Spouse(s) |
Mary Lansing (m. 1933–70) Veola Vonn (m. 1970–86) |
Frank Brandon Nelson (May 6, 1911 – September 12, 1986) was an American comedic actor best known for playing put-upon foils on radio and television, and especially for his "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase.
He made numerous guest appearances on television shows, including The Jack Benny Program, I Love Lucy, The Real McCoys, and Sanford and Son. He also provided voices for animated series such as The Flintstones, Mister Magoo, The Jetsons, Dinky Dog, and The Snorks.
Nelson began his entertainment career in radio, and later moved into television and movies. In 1926, at age 15, Nelson played the role of a 30-year-old man in a radio series broadcast from the then-5,000-watt KOA (AM) radio station serving the Denver, Colorado market. In 1929, Nelson moved to Hollywood, California and worked in local radio dramatic shows, usually playing the leading man. The first sponsored radio show he appeared in to reach a national market was Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, a situation comedy radio show that aired from November 28, 1932 and ending May 22, 1933, starring two of the Marx Brothers, Groucho and Chico, and written primarily by Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman.