Frank Nelson (actor)
Frank Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Brandon Nelson |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Lansing (m. 1933–1969)Veola Vonn (m. 1970–1986) |
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. He may have made over 10,000 guest appearances, including I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband (radio series).
Biography
Nelson first found fame as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on Benny's radio show during the 1940s and 1950s. Nelson's typically portrayed a sales clerk or customer service worker. For example, needing airline tickets, Benny would call the ticket agent, "Oh Mister? Mister?" Nelson's appearance began with his catchphrase, a bellowed "Yeeeesssss?". The two men would banter, with Nelson gleefully delivering one-liners such as "Is that a hairpiece or did someone plant moss on your head?" and sarcastic responses like "Do I work at this airport? No, I'm a DC-4 with a mustache."
Nelson continued to appear on Benny's television show in 1950, doing the same "rude clerk" shtick. His other catchphrase, that would be worked into every routine, would have Benny asking something mundane, such as, "Do these shirts come in a medium?" and Frank would bellow, "Oo-oo-oo-ooh, DO they!" He also appeared on several other radio programs. Nelson's sudden appearances usually led to spontaneous laughter or applause on the part of the audience.
After Jack Benny, Nelson continued to work in sitcoms in similar roles, most notably in The Hank McCune Show and I Love Lucy during the 1950s and Sanford and Son during the 1970s. In 1981, Nelson did a string of commercials for McDonalds doing his trademark "Y-e-e-e-s?" catchphrase. Garfield in Paradise in 1986 was the last recorded time he used his signature phrase.
In addition to his onscreen work, Nelson was an in-demand voiceover artist for animated cartoons, appearing on The Flintstones, The Jetsons and as Governor Wetworth on The Snorks among other programs. He also served as the head of AFTRA (a performers union) between 1954 and 1957. Nelson's work in radio included dramatic roles in CBS Radio's Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar in 1956.
Nelson was not as prolific in motion pictures, but he did appear occasionally in variations of his oily clerk characterization. One of his larger roles is in Down Memory Lane (1949), in which he plays the apoplectic manager of a TV station. He also appears memorably in So You Want to Know Your Relatives, a Joe McDoakes spoof of This Is Your Life; Nelson plays the master of ceremonies, happily ushering unsavory guests onstage.
He died on September 12, 1986 in Hollywood and was entombed in Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. [1][2]
Legacy
His distinctive appearance and manner of saying "Y-e-e-e-s?" has been parodied frequently in film and television, most notably with the character on The Simpsons called the "Frank Nelson Type" (aka "Yes Guy").[3]
Jack Benny co-star and cartoon voice artist Mel Blanc would sometimes pay homage to Nelson by working a "Y-e-e-e-s" into one of his voice portrayals. Other performers have done the same. For example, in an episode of the sitcom Three's Company ("Doctor In The House", Season 6), Ralph Furley (Don Knotts) consults with a doctor who is actually Jack Tripper (John Ritter) disguised in a surgeon's mask. When Furley calls out to the doctor in his office, Jack responds with Nelson's famous "Y-e-e-e-s?" catchphrase.
Fred Flintstone was also burdened by a rude, fresh-mouthed Frank Nelson whenever he had to deal with a clerk.
References
- ^ "Frank Nelson". New York Times. September 16, 1986. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
Frank Nelson, an actor on Jack Benny's radio and television shows for 38 years and a former national president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, died Friday of cancer at his home in Hollywood. He was 75 years old.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Regular on Jack Benny Show Radio and TV Actor Frank Nelson Dies". Los Angeles Times. September 15, 1986. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
AFTRA national President Frank Maxwell said Friday that Nelson "fought fiercely for the things he believed in. ... His devotion to the welfare of his fellow members will leave its stamp on AFTRA for as long as the union lasts." Nelson is survived by his wife, actress Veola Vonn; son Doug Nelson, and daughter, Bonnie Esther.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Groening, Matt and McCann, Jesse L.: The Simpsons—One Step Beyond Forever, page 54.
Further reading
- Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-0351-6.
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