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Frank Nelson | |
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 Nelson inThe Jack Benny Program episode "Jack Does His Christmas Shopping" (1954) | |
| Born | Frank Brandon Nelson (1911-05-06)May 6, 1911 |
| Died | September 12, 1986(1986-09-12) (aged 75) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Comedian |
| Years active | 1926–1986 |
| Spouses | |
Frank Brandon Nelson (May 6, 1911 – September 12, 1986) was an American comedic actor best known for playing put-uponfoils on radio and television, and especially for his "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?"catchphrase.
He made numerous guest appearances on television shows, includingThe Jack Benny Program,I Love Lucy,The Real McCoys,The Addams Family,Alice, andSanford and Son. He also provided voices for animated series such asThe Flintstones,Mister Magoo,The Jetsons,Dinky Dog andSnorks.
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 series broadcast fromKOA inDenver, Colorado.[1]
In 1929, Nelson moved toHollywood, California, and worked in local dramatic broadcasts, usually playing theleading man.[1] The firstsponsored program in which he appeared that reached a national market wasFlywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel,[1] asitcom that aired from November 28, 1932, to May 22, 1933, starringGroucho andChico Marx, and written primarily byNat Perrin andArthur Sheekman.[2]
Nelson first found fame as the put-upon foil toJack Benny onBenny's radio show during the 1940s and 1950s. Nelson began to appear on Benny's radio show in the late 1930s,[3] doing various roles, but his eventual character began to take form around 1942.[4] Nelson, whose character was never given a name,[5] typically portrayed a sales clerk, dentist or customer service worker, and Benny's character would run into him seemingly out of nowhere.[citation needed] Whatever his occupation in a particular episode, Nelson's character would usually be polite and patient with all of his customers except for Benny.[5]
Nelson also appeared on Benny's television show beginning 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!"
Nelson performed on a number of Hollywood-based radio shows during this time, includingFibber McGee and Molly, and did radio work well into the late 1950s, on the few shows that remained on the air, including dramatic roles on such programs asYours Truly, Johnny Dollar.[citation needed]
AfterJack Benny, Nelson continued to work in sitcoms in similar roles, most notably inThe Hank McCune Show andI Love Lucy. Nelson appeared as various characters during all six seasons ofI Love Lucy (including the recurring role of game show host Freddie Fillmore) and also appeared in two episodes as neighbor Ralph Ramsey, after the Ricardos moved toWestport, Connecticut in season six. He further appeared inThe New Phil Silvers Show[citation needed] andThe Addams Family in the 1960s,[6]
Toward the end of his life, Nelson enjoyed some newfound stardom among a younger generation of fans. He appeared in a string of commercials forMcDonald's doing his trademark "EEE-yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase during its 1981 vacation sweepstakes promotional campaign, in which he played an over-the-top passport agent. In theGreen Giant Commercial in 1979, Nelson voiced a racoon who snatches green beans from Sprout's wagon.[1] He also did a cameo appearance on theDecember 5, 1981, episode ofSaturday Night Live as a newsstand vendor, whenTim Curry was the guest host.[7]
In addition to his onscreen work, Nelson was an in-demandvoiceover artist foranimated cartoons. In 1954, he narratedWalter Lantz's cartoon shortDig That Dog. In television cartoons, he made several appearances onThe Flintstones,Calvin and the Colonel,The Jetsons, and (as Governor Wetworth) onThe Snorks, among other programs. Between 1978 and 1979, he provided the voice of Uncle Dudley onDinky Dog. He also served as national president ofAFTRA (a performers' union) between 1954 and 1957.[1]
Nelson occasionally appeared in films in variations of his oily clerk characterization. One of his roles is inDown Memory Lane (1949), in which he plays the manager of a TV station. He also appears inSo You Want to Know Your Relatives, aJoe McDoakes spoof ofThis Is Your Life; Nelson plays the master of ceremonies, ushering guests onstage.[citation needed]
Nelson was diagnosed with cancer in 1985. After a yearlong battle, he died inHollywood on September 12, 1986, at the age of 75.[1] He was entombed inForest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale.[8][9]
His distinctive appearance and manner of saying "yes?" has been parodied frequently in film, radio and television, most notably with the character onThe Simpsons called the "Frank Nelson Type" (aka "Yes Guy").[10] Nelson's appearance and mannerisms were also parodied multiple times in theDisney Afternoon seriesTaleSpin, with Nelson represented by a largehippopotamus in a suit.[11][12]The Daily Show often features a Nelson impression by hostJon Stewart after a setup clip, often "Yeeesss?" or "Go onnnnnnn ..." followed by another clip which serves as the punchline.[13] The ongoing comic stripGasoline Alley occasionally features a character known as “Mr. Nelson,” who is drawn to resemble Frank Nelson. In classic fashion, he appears in almost any professional capacity that a main character might be seeking, from department store sales associate to tree service owner.[14]
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