Laurie MacDonald

Gene Nelson Born March 24, 1920 in Astoria, Oregon, USA Died September 16, 1996 in Los Angeles, California, USA (cancer) Birth Name: Eugene Leander Berg Height 6' (1.83 m) Mini Bio (1) Gene Nelson was barely a teen when he saw the Fred Astaire movie Flying Down to Rio (1933), which would change his life. It was then that he decided he would be a dancer. After graduating from high school, Nelson joined the Sonja Henie Ice Show and toured for 3 years before joining the Army in World War II. After he was discharged, he appeared in a handful of movies before 1950. He worked with Debbie Reynolds in The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1950), Doris Day in Tea for Two (1950) and Virginia Mayo in She's Working Her Way Through College (1952). He would be best known for his role of cowboy Will Parker in Oklahoma! (1955), where he would twirl the lasso to the tune of "Kansas City". After his dancing days ended he turned to directing TV and films, including two Elvis Presley movies, Kissin' Cousins (1964) and Harum Scarum (1965). For television he directed episodes of I Dream of Jeannie (1965), Star Trek: The Original Series (1966), The Rifleman (1958), The Donna Reed Show (1958) and many others. Spouse (3) Jean Martin (July 1990 - 1994) ( divorced) Marilyn Morgen (7 August 1958 - 1974) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Miriam Nelson (22 December 1941 - 8 June 1956) ( divorced) ( 1 child) Trivia (13) Had three children: Chris Nelson, Douglas M. Nelson, and Victoria Nelson Gordo. Was romantically involved with Maureen Reagan for several years, although they never married. He can be seen as one of the anonymous studio executives in the trailer for the original version of Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Nominated for a 1972 Tony Award for Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for his performance as Buddy in the original production of "Follies". First wife Miriam Nelson (nee Frankel) was a specialty film dancer from Broadway ("Panama Hattie"). Married in 1941, she worked in Hollywood while Gene served in the United States Army. He joined her later and she was instrumental in helping him work up his innovative dance routines on film. Second wife Marilyn Morgen was a studio secretary he married in 1958. She was 12 years his junior. Suffered a fractured pelvis in 1957 when a horse fell on him while on film location in Tennessee. Born Eugene Leander Berg, he went to Superior Court in 1964 to change his legal name to Gene Nelson as he wanted to use this for himself and his family. Made his professional stage debut as a member of the Fanchon and Marco Juvenile Revue at the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles in 1935. He also studied tap with Nick Castle. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7005 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 24, 1990.