Gene Nelson (born Leander Eugene Berg; March 24, 1920 – September 16, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter, and director.
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Biography
Nelson was born Eugene Leander Berg in Seattle, Washington. By 1924, he and his parents moved to Santa Monica. He was inspired to become a dancer during his childhood by watching Fred Astaire in films. After serving in the Army during World War II, during which he also performed in the musical This Is the Army, Nelson landed his first Broadway role in Lend an Ear. His performance earned a Theatre World Award. He also appeared onstage in Good News. Nelson's longtime professional dance partner during the 1950s was actress JoAnn Dean Killingsworth.
Nelson co-starred with Doris Day in Lullaby of Broadway in 1951. He played Will Parker in the film Oklahoma!
In 1957, Nelson suffered a broken pelvis after being thrown from a horse while filming Natchez Trace, which resulted in his role being re-cast. Nelson sued the production company, Panorama Pictures Corporation, for $150,000, and was awarded $72,675 in 1961 ($783,966 in 2025) for lost wages.
In 1959, he appeared in Northwest Passage as a man trying to prove his innocence in a murder case. Nelson appeared on the March 17, 1960 episode of You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Marx. He and Groucho's daughter, Melinda, performed a dance number together.
