David Nelson’s death spurs fan response

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Throughout his long career, veteran Hollywood publicist Dale Olson has written dozens of obituaries of celebrities that he sent to news outlets.

But Olson, who informed the media that David Nelson had died of complications from colon cancer Jan. 11 at age 74, says he was stunned by the response he’s received to the death of the last surviving member of the family that starred in ‘The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet’ on television for 14 years.

‘The reaction was incredible,’ says Olson. ‘I’ve gotten calls and e-mails from fans throughout the country and as far as England who were shattered by his death and simply wanted to talk to somebody, even though they were strangers, because they felt the need to express their condolences.

‘They grew up with the Nelson family on television, and they felt so close to them.’

--Dennis McLellan