Barry Nelson Dies
Hardyboy
Posts: 5,906Chief of Staff
Normally this would be for the "Tributes" section, but this deserves a thread of its own. Barry Nelson, who played James Bond--really, "Card Sense" Jimmy Bond--in the 1954 TV version of Casino Royale, has died at 89. Godspeed to you, Mr. Nelson, and thank you for your contribution to the history of Bond.
Actor Barry Nelson Dies at 89
By GREG RISLING
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
LOS ANGELES -- Barry Nelson, an MGM contract player during the 1940s who later had a prolific theater career and was the first actor to play James Bond on screen, has died. He was 89.
Nelson died on April 7 while traveling in Bucks County, Pa., his wife, Nansi Nelson, said Friday. The cause of death was not immediately known, she said.
After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1941, Nelson was signed to MGM after being spotted by a talent scout. He appeared in a number of films for the studio in 1942, including "Shadow of the Thin Man," "Johnny Eager" and "Dr. Kildare's Victory." He also landed the leading role in "A Yank on the Burma Road," playing a cab driver who decides to lead a convoy of trucks for the Chinese government.
Nelson entered the Army during World War II and went on the road with other actors performing the wartime play "Winged Victory," which was later made into a movie starring Red Buttons, George Reeves and Nelson.
After the war, Nelson starred in a string of movies, including "Undercover Maisie," "Time to Kill" and "Tenth Avenue Angel."
He is the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first actor to play James Bond? Before Sean Connery was tapped to play the British agent on the big screen in 1962's "Dr. No," Nelson played Bond in a one-hour TV adaptation of "Casino Royale" in 1954.
Nelson switched to the stage during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on Broadway in "Seascape" "Mary, Mary" and "Cactus Flower." He earned a Tony nomination in 1978 for his role in "The Act," which also starred Liza Minnelli.
"He was a very naturalistic, believable actor," said his agent, Francis Delduca. "He was good at both comedy and the serious stuff."
Among his other film credits were "Airport" and "The Shining," and he also appeared on such TV shows as "Murder, She Wrote," "Dallas" and "Magnum P.I."
More recently, Nelson and his second wife (they married in 1992) spent a lot of time traveling. He planned to write a couple of books about his time on stage and in Hollywood.
Nelson is survived by his wife. He did not have any children from either marriage.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Actor Barry Nelson Dies at 89
By GREG RISLING
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
LOS ANGELES -- Barry Nelson, an MGM contract player during the 1940s who later had a prolific theater career and was the first actor to play James Bond on screen, has died. He was 89.
Nelson died on April 7 while traveling in Bucks County, Pa., his wife, Nansi Nelson, said Friday. The cause of death was not immediately known, she said.
After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1941, Nelson was signed to MGM after being spotted by a talent scout. He appeared in a number of films for the studio in 1942, including "Shadow of the Thin Man," "Johnny Eager" and "Dr. Kildare's Victory." He also landed the leading role in "A Yank on the Burma Road," playing a cab driver who decides to lead a convoy of trucks for the Chinese government.
Nelson entered the Army during World War II and went on the road with other actors performing the wartime play "Winged Victory," which was later made into a movie starring Red Buttons, George Reeves and Nelson.
After the war, Nelson starred in a string of movies, including "Undercover Maisie," "Time to Kill" and "Tenth Avenue Angel."
He is the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first actor to play James Bond? Before Sean Connery was tapped to play the British agent on the big screen in 1962's "Dr. No," Nelson played Bond in a one-hour TV adaptation of "Casino Royale" in 1954.
Nelson switched to the stage during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on Broadway in "Seascape" "Mary, Mary" and "Cactus Flower." He earned a Tony nomination in 1978 for his role in "The Act," which also starred Liza Minnelli.
"He was a very naturalistic, believable actor," said his agent, Francis Delduca. "He was good at both comedy and the serious stuff."
Among his other film credits were "Airport" and "The Shining," and he also appeared on such TV shows as "Murder, She Wrote," "Dallas" and "Magnum P.I."
More recently, Nelson and his second wife (they married in 1992) spent a lot of time traveling. He planned to write a couple of books about his time on stage and in Hollywood.
Nelson is survived by his wife. He did not have any children from either marriage.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Vox clamantis in deserto
Comments
Rest in Peace -{
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Good innings, though.
A fond farewell to our American Bond.
RIP -{
-Roger Moore
Barry Nelson also starred in one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes.
Fare thee well and Godspeed sir.
Although I still have not seen 1954's Casino Royale, I remember liking The Shining a little bit more just because the very first Bond was in it.
Come to think of it: how would we ever find out if any of our dear friends here had passed?
I'll be sure to put it in writing, that if I should depart this world suddenly, my AJB friends will be notified via Tributes Thread.
-Roger Moore
I'm still here Mo
As for the real Barry Nelson, he was in several television shows I enjoyed, may he rest in peace.
~Pen -{
mountainburdphotography.wordpress.com
I was about to take a swig...
Anyway, this news saddens me and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's the first 007 to pass on...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
He was totally blown away that I remembered his Casino Royale performance.
A class act all the way.
I always enjoyed the work that Barry Nelson did,
whether brief performances in movies like The Shining, or longer, meatier roles such as Casino Royale.
A very fine actor who will be missed.
Barry Nelson R.I.P.:'(
Good to hear from you again, Berry.
RIP
I must be out to lunch or something, but I missed the part about our Barry Nelson having been in the hospital. I hope (and assume, since he's still posting away on AJB) that all is well.
But it is too bad about the other BN. His obit pointed out that he had a pretty extensive and very successful stage career, which is true of a lot of actors who don't get the attention they might deserve from film audiences. I didn't realize that. I've never seen the TV Casino Royale, but I'd like to. I've never seen it in the video store, but I'll have to look.
Mr. Nelson appears early on in the movie, playing the manager of the hotel. He interviews Jack Nicholson for the job and is later seen showing him around the place. He does a fine job in his part. As the old saying goes, there are no small roles--only small actors!