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Edwin Stafford Nelson (December 21, 1928 β 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.
as George Dressler
as General Sharman
as Dr. August Claiborne
as Jersey Callum
as General Stone
as D.A. Marcus Packard(3 eps)
as Victor Handler
as Governor Neilson
as Arthur Bandel(1 ep)
as Dr. Michael Rossi
as Raymond 'Ray' Bascomb(1 ep)
as Judge Willard Clinton(1 ep)
as Henry Post(1 ep)
as Mayor Albert Simpson(1 ep)
as Carl Turnball(1 ep)
as Bill Garnett(1 ep)
as Sgt. Steingrove(1 ep)
as George Dobbs
as Carl Strickland
as President Harry S. Truman
as Mike Danvers
as Joseph Locordolos
as Mark Kane
as Philip Mulwray
as Mr. Clarkson
as Jeb Amos(1 ep)
as Dr. Mike Wise
as George Beldridge
as Dr. Michael Rossi
as Dr. Rowan(1 ep)
as Paul Hamilton
as Chandler Dietrich
as George Starrett(1 ep)
as Admiral Harry Pearson
as Ray Hollister
as Robert Denby
as Carlton James
as Major John Alexander
as Edgar 'Bud' Clement(1 ep)
as Blake Sternlight(1 ep)
as Lt. Calvin Zenger
as Gene Kranz, Flight Director
as Paul Reston
as Nick Staffo
as Larry Kinner(1 ep)
as Warren Cole
as Sheriff Walter Raha(1 ep)
as Carl Nesbitt
as Dr. Harden
as Tom Burke (segment βLittle Girl Lostβ)(1 ep)
as Dr. Martin Becker
as Hank(3 eps)
as Abe Strayhorn(1 ep)
as Van Cleve(1 ep)
as Walter Swenson(1 ep)
as Hamilton(1 ep)
as Michael Rossi(514 eps)
as Cole Marteen
as James Priest
as Deke Allison(2 eps)
as Paul Clements(1 ep)
as Steve Edson(1 ep)
as Col. Luke Stone(1 ep)
as Tom Keller(1 ep)
as Alex Trevor(1 ep)
as Ralph Slocum(1 ep)
as Ray(1 ep)
as Neil Bracket(1 ep)
as Captain at Nightclub Announcing Call-up of Officers (uncredited)
as Jefty Bright(1 ep)
as Roger Sykes(1 ep)
as Dr. Keith Judge(1 ep)
as Nick Richards / Pete Jensen
as Peter Stull(1 ep)
as Brundage
as Chuck Palmer(1 ep)
as Gil Stoneham(1 ep)
as Chris Garland(1 ep)
as Brundage(2 eps)
as Charlie(1 ep)
as Tom Ellison / Daniel Le Jean(1 ep)
as Dino Michaelis
as Art Lacroix
as Alex Hendricks
as Chad(1 ep)
as The Stalker(1 ep)
as Clint Mowbree(1 ep)
as Doug(1 ep)
as Kirk(1 ep)
as Philip Redfield(1 ep)
as Tomstedter(1 ep)
as Sable(1 ep)
as Jim Tyler(1 ep)
as Norm Britt
as Sid - Henchman (uncredited)
as Lee Coogan(1 ep)
as Roy Corey(1 ep)
as Lt. Cory Clemens(1 ep)
as Sam Weber(1 ep)
as Chuck Whittaker(1 ep)
as Jedrow(1 ep)
as Browder(1 ep)
as Dr. Paul Kettering
as Cop #2
as Rick Connor
as Dave Randall
as Guard (uncredited)
as Blonde Tribe Member
as Slavo
as Cowboy(1 ep)
as 2nd Classmate (uncredited)(1 ep)
as Ward Nichols(1 ep)
as Dirk Blake(1 ep)
as Lenny Maston(1 ep)
as Police Officer 'Dutch' / Blind Man
as Cannon
as Etienne (as Edwin Nelson)
as Pete
as Ensign Quinlan
as Nelson(1 ep)
as Jack Bowen(1 ep)
as Tantasi(1 ep)
as Vince Harwell(1 ep)
as Albie(1 ep)
as Police Sergeant
as Lee Prentice(1 ep)
as Rusk(1 ep)
as Perce(1 ep)
as Seth(1 ep)
as Burt Cury(1 ep)
as Tom(1 ep)
as Charlie
as Man in Ticket Line at Airport (uncredited)