Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Edwin Stafford Nelson (December 21, 1928 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor. Nelson began acting while attending Tulane University in New Orleans. He left college after two years to study at the New York School of Radio and Television Technique. After graduating, he took a position as a director at WDSU-TV in New Orleans. By 1956, acting became his central focus and he moved to the Los Angeles area. Early in his career he worked with famed B-movie producer Roger Corman on such Corman films as Cry Baby Killers, A Bucket of Blood, Teenage Cave Man and Attack of the Crab Monsters. In 1958 he participated in Bruno VeSota's science fiction horror film The Brain Eaters. His early television career featured many guest starring roles in such series as The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, Harbor Command, Tombstone Territory, Tightrope, The Blue Angels (as arrogant flight instructor Lieutenant Dayl Martin), Laramie, COronado 9, The Eleventh Hour, Bonanza, Thriller (US TV series), and Channing, an ABC drama about college life. In 1964 he won his most famous role portraying Dr. Michael Rossi on the ABC drama Peyton Place, which ran from 1964 to 1969. Nelson's fellow cast members included Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, and Dorothy Malone. Dr. Rossi proved to be so popular that by 1968, he became the lead actor on the show. Nelson reprised his role in two made-for-TV movies, Murder in Peyton Place and Peyton Place: The Next Generation. After Peyton Place ended, Nelson worked in many more productions of all varieties, including starring role in many movies of the week, a second TV series, "The Silent Force," and a popular morning talk show which he hosted for three years. Soon after, Nelson struck gold with his critically acclaimed portrayal of elusive pit crew chief Robert Denby in the hit film Riding with Death (1976), earning him several prestigious accolades and legions of devoted fans.
Acted in 143
2000s
- 2003
1990s
- 1998
- 1996
Cries of Silence
Dr. August Claiborne
- 1991
The Boneyard
Jersey Callum
1980s
- 1989
Deadly Weapon
General Stone
- 1987
Sworn to Silence
Victor Handler
- 1986
- 1985
Peyton Place: The Next Generation
Dr. Michael Rossi
- 1984
- 1982
Help Wanted: Male
George Dobbs
- 1981
Born to Be Sold
Carl Strickland
- 1980
Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb
President Harry S. Truman
The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything
Joseph Locordolos
Hagen
TV
1970s
- 1979
Anatomy of a Seduction
Mark Kane
- 1978
The Crash of Flight 401
Philip Mulwray
Leave Yesterday Behind
Mr. Clarkson
Doctors' Private Lives
Dr. Mike Wise
Superdome
George Beldridge
- 1977
Murder in Peyton Place
Dr. Michael Rossi
A Little Game
Paul Hamilton
For the Love of Benji
Chandler Dietrich
- 1976
Gibbsville
TV
Riding with Death
Robert Denby
- 1975
That's the Way of the World
Carlton James
The Missing Are Deadly
Movie
- 1974
Police Headquarters
Lt. Calvin Zenger
Houston, We've Got a Problem
Gene Kranz, Flight Director
- 1973
Linda
Paul Reston
Runaway!
Nick Staffo
- 1972
Kung Fu
Sheriff Walter Raha · 1 episode
The Screaming Woman
Carl Nesbitt
Brink of Disaster!
Dr. Harden
- 1971
- 1970
The Silent Force
TV
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
- 1967
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
Peyton Place
Michael Rossi · 514 episodes
- 1963
The Man from Galveston
Cole Marteen
Soldier in the Rain
James Priest
Redigo
TV
- 1962
Saints and Sinners
Ray · 1 episode
- 1961
Devil's Partner
Nick Richards / Pete Jensen
- 1960
The Fatal Impulse
Brundage
Coronado 9
TV
Code of Silence
Movie
Valley of the Redwoods
Dino Michaelis
1950s
- 1959
The Young Captives
Norm Britt
I, Mobster
Sid - Henchman (uncredited)
- 1958
The Brain Eaters
Dr. Paul Kettering
Hot Car Girl
Cop #2
Teenage Cave Man
Blonde Tribe Member
Street of Darkness
Slavo
- 1957
Harbor Command
TV
Teenage Doll
Police Officer 'Dutch' / Blind Man
Carnival Rock
Cannon
Invasion of the Saucer Men
Tom
Bayou
Etienne (as Edwin Nelson)
Rock All Night
Pete
- 1956
- 1955
New Orleans Uncensored
Charlie
- 1952
Produced 1
1950s
- 1958
The Brain Eaters
Producer
Other crew 1
1950s
- 1957