American Entertainer. Nelson was the last of the golden era of ventriloquists that included Edgar Bergen, Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell and Senor Wences. In a career that spanned more than 70 years, he will best be remembered to television viewers during the 1950s and 1960s for appearing with his characters, Danny O’Day and a floppy-eared dog named Farfel, in more than 120 commercials and promotions for Nestlés Quick. The son of a ventriloquist, in the 1930s and ’40s Nelson would appear on stage at amateur nights and at movie theaters with his act. His break into a wider audience came when a show he created on a local TV station at the age of 21 caught the attention of Ed Sullivan, who asked him to be on his 'Toast of the Town.' Sullivan liked Nelson’s act so much he had him back a month later. Nelson appeared on Sullivan's show five times between 1950 and 1953. In 1952, he landed the role of spokesman for Texaco on 'The Texaco Star Theater' hosted by Milton Berle. The role catapulted him to national fame, where he appeared weekly on the hugely popular show. Nelson performed nationally, appearing at Radio City Music Hall, The Copacabana, the Latin Quarter, the Cocoanut Grove, the Chicago Theater, Chez Paree, as well as several venues in Las Vegas, including the Flamingo Hotel, the Desert Inn and the Riviera. To honor Nelson, a building at the Vent Haven Ventriloquists Museum in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky is named the Jimmy Nelson Building. He was also given the title of Dean of American Ventriloquists to celebrate his 70th year in show business. Nelson died from complications following a stroke.
American Entertainer. Nelson was the last of the golden era of ventriloquists that included Edgar Bergen, Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell and Senor Wences. In a career that spanned more than 70 years, he will best be remembered to television viewers during the 1950s and 1960s for appearing with his characters, Danny O’Day and a floppy-eared dog named Farfel, in more than 120 commercials and promotions for Nestlés Quick. The son of a ventriloquist, in the 1930s and ’40s Nelson would appear on stage at amateur nights and at movie theaters with his act. His break into a wider audience came when a show he created on a local TV station at the age of 21 caught the attention of Ed Sullivan, who asked him to be on his 'Toast of the Town.' Sullivan liked Nelson’s act so much he had him back a month later. Nelson appeared on Sullivan's show five times between 1950 and 1953. In 1952, he landed the role of spokesman for Texaco on 'The Texaco Star Theater' hosted by Milton Berle. The role catapulted him to national fame, where he appeared weekly on the hugely popular show. Nelson performed nationally, appearing at Radio City Music Hall, The Copacabana, the Latin Quarter, the Cocoanut Grove, the Chicago Theater, Chez Paree, as well as several venues in Las Vegas, including the Flamingo Hotel, the Desert Inn and the Riviera. To honor Nelson, a building at the Vent Haven Ventriloquists Museum in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky is named the Jimmy Nelson Building. He was also given the title of Dean of American Ventriloquists to celebrate his 70th year in show business. Nelson died from complications following a stroke.
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