21 Facts About Ed Nelson

Edwin Stafford Nelson was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr Michael Rossi in the television series Peyton Place.

Ed Nelson appeared in episodes of many TV programs, more than 50 movies, and hundreds of stage productions.

Ed Nelson was raised in North Carolina after having been born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ed Nelson was educated at Edwards Military Institute and Camp Lejeune High School, playing football and basketball at the latter school.

Ed Nelson began acting while attending Tulane University in New Orleans.

Ed Nelson left college after two years to study at the New York School of Radio and Television Technique.

Ed Nelson served in the US Navy as a radioman on the light cruiser USS Dayton.

Ed Nelson took a position as a director at WDSU-TV in New Orleans.

Early in his career Ed Nelson acted and did stunt work for B-movie producer Roger Corman on the films Swamp Women, Attack of the Crab Monsters, Rock All Night, Carnival Rock, Night of the Blood Beast, The Cry Baby Killer, Teenage Cave Man, and A Bucket of Blood.

Ed Nelson appeared in the 1960 thriller Valley of the Redwoods and the 1963 comedy drama Soldier in the Rain, starring Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason.

Ed Nelson made two guest appearances on Perry Mason, both times as the defendant; in 1961, he played Ward Nichols in "The Case of the Left-Handed Liar," and in 1964, he played Dirk Blake, father of the title character, in "The Case of the Missing Button".

Ed Nelson played rival mystery writer Tom Keller opposite James Mason as Warren Barrow on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour S1 E5 "Captive Audience".

Ed Nelson portrayed an assistant district attorney on the TV series Adam-12 in 1974.

In 1964, Ed Nelson secured his most famous role, portraying Dr Michael Rossi on the drama Peyton Place, staying with the series during its entire run from 1964 to 1969.

Ed Nelson reprised his role in two TV movies: Murder in Peyton Place and Peyton Place: The Next Generation.

Ed Nelson guest-starred with David Janssen in The Fugitive in 1963, and appeared as a different character later in the series.

In late 1986, Ed Nelson was upset to discover that the show's writers had turned his character into a traitor, and quit the show in disgust, last airing in early January 1987, two months before the show's cancellation.

Ed Nelson spent several years playing US President Harry S Truman on stage, replacing James Whitmore for the National Tour of Give 'Em Hell, Harry.

Ed Nelson was a long-standing member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In 1999, Ed Nelson returned to Tulane University to finish credits toward his undergraduate degree, which he completed the following year at age 71.

Ed Nelson died on August 9,2014, in Greensboro, North Carolina from congestive heart failure.