Biography
Frank Nelson was a multi-talented character actor with a face instantly recognizable enough to provoke laughter at first sight, and once he spoke, the laughter would only grow! The short-statured comedy veteran, known for his neatly trimmed mustache and his signature vocal catchphrase ("Eeeeee-yeeeeeeesss?"), entertained audiences across film, television, radio, and voiceover work for more than sixty years. His unique mannerisms and personality traits were frequently parodied on television and in animated features. Widely seen throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Frank often portrayed a sardonic, wide-eyed, quick-tempered foil to some of TV’s greatest comedians, including Jack Benny and Lucille Ball.
Born Frank Brandon Nelson on May 6, 1911, he began his career at age 15 as a radio announcer in Denver. At 18, he moved to Hollywood, quickly finding work in local radio dramas, often in leading roles. His first nationally recognized role came in 1932 on the radio sitcom "Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel," starring Groucho and Chico Marx. Other notable voice roles included "The Three Musketeers" and "Calling All Cars."
By 1936, Frank was appearing uncredited as announcers in films such as Fugitive in the Sky (1936), Black Legion (1937), Hold 'Em Navy (1937), International Crime (1938), and Gang Bullets (1938), but these roles were limited, so he continued focusing on wartime radio. After numerous radio appearances, his expressive face and voice earned him "second banana" fame as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on his hit radio show. Though he had worked on the show since the late 1930s, he eventually secured a regular role portraying various flustered or disdainful customer service characters. Frank lent his versatile voice to many top radio programs of the era including "The Great Gildersleeve," "Burns and Allen Show," "Fibber McGee and Molly," "The Bing Crosby Show," "The Eddie Cantor Show," "The Bob Hope Show," and "Abbott and Costello," each showcasing his droll, squealing voice and impeccable comedic timing. Even minor servile or professional roles became memorable with his presence.
Although capable of dramatic work, Frank was best known on screen for his comedic support roles. He often appeared as meticulous clerks, agents, bosses, neighbors, or announcers. Post-World War II films featuring him include Down Memory Lane (1949), The Milkman (1950), You Never Can Tell (1951), Bonzo Goes to College (1952), Remains to Be Seen (1953), It Should Happen to You (1954), and Kiss Them for Me (1957). In 1949, he appeared in the short film So You Want to Get Rich Quick and contributed his comedic talents to several entries in the Joe McDoakes "So You Want to..." series starring George O'Hanlon.
A founding member of the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA) in 1937, which later became AFTRA, Frank served as its president from 1954 to 1957, playing a key role in establishing pension plans for actors. His sitcom work was extensive, highlighted by a fifteen-year regular role on The Jack Benny Program (1950) and recurring guest appearances on I Love Lucy (1951). He also appeared in multiple roles on Our Miss Brooks (1952), The Danny Thomas Show (1953), and Sanford and Son (1972). During the early years of I Love Lucy, he played various beleaguered characters before being cast alongside Mary Jane Croft as the Ricardos’ Connecticut neighbors, Frank and Betty Ramsey, toward the series' end. His guest spots extended to popular comedies such as Blondie, Private Secretary, The Real McCoys, Pete and Gladys, The Lucy Show, The Addams Family, Petticoat Junction, and Alice.
In animation, Frank lent his voice to several 1960s cartoons including Mr. Magoo, but was most often featured by Hanna-Barbera in series like The Flintstones (1960) and The Jetsons (1962). He voiced "Uncle Dudley" in the 1978 series Dinky Dog and contributed briefly to cartoons such as Calvin and the Colonel, Bozo the Clown, The Smurfs, and Garfield and Friends. Late in his career, his voice appeared frequently on the 1980s series Snorks (1984).
Frank’s famous catchphrase was also used in McDonald’s commercials during the 1980s. He was married twice: first to character actress Mary Lansing, whom he met on radio and with whom he had two children, and later to Veola Vonn, who appeared on Lucy’s sitcom. Diagnosed with cancer in late summer 1985, Frank Nelson passed away in Los Angeles on September 12, 1986, at age 75. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
